Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331767 Inspection date 26 June 2006 Inspector Lisa Toole

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and eight in Lewes, East Sussex. The majority of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding four children over five and also minds two children over eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Well-established hygiene routines enable children to learn about the importance of washing their hands to encourage them to help maintain good health. The childminder ensures children have access to a clean and hygienic environment to help them to begin to understand the importance of good hygiene and keeping healthy. Children are appropriately cared for should they be taken ill while in the childminder's care. She is currently undertaking a first aid course, which will enable her to deal with an accident in line with current practices in order to safeguard the children's welfare. The childminder prepares nutritious meals for children when asked to do so by parents, and supplements meals with a healthy range of snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. Children are able to freely access drinks throughout the day to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated. Children have a good relationship with the childminder and she is responsive to their

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Helping children to be healthy

emotional needs. They have regular opportunities for physical play, including playing in the garden and visiting local play parks. The childminder is aware of the need to offer good support to younger children as they discover how to control their own movements and gain physical skills appropriate to their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a warm and welcoming play area with enough space for them to explore and move around freely. There are a wide range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate resources that are organised to ensure they are easily accessible to children to encourage independence and freedom of choice. The childminder talks to children about safety issues which encourages them to gain an understanding of the world around them. She has reduced potential hazards in the home and does a daily check to ensure that all areas are suitable for the children's use and to keep them protected. The premises are maintained securely and there are clear procedures in place for both the alternative collection of children and outings, which ensures children's safety is paramount. Children are well-protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection. She is aware of the signs and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

symptoms of abuse and has a good understanding of the procedures to follow should she have any cause for concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. They approach the childminder for support, indicating good relationships are built. Children benefit from the childminder's caring nature, making them feel comfortable and valued whilst helping to increase their confidence and develop their personal and social skills. Children have access to a variety of activities and experiences that are adapted to ensure that they are all included and have the opportunity to achieve. Children enjoy activities such as looking for bugs in the garden and then trying to find them in insect resource books. They do art and craft activities, dressing-up and role-play, listening to stories as well as general free-play. The childminder offers children support and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

aid when required, but ensures they have sufficient challenge so they can begin to explore and learn new things independently. Children are able to make decisions, explore and investigate, relate to others, and are involved, interested and enjoy their play. They have easy access to a good range of toys and play resources as they are effectively organised in the dining room. This means that children can make their own choices about what they do and play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect; they are made to feel good about themselves and each child is cared for as an individual with their own needs, likes and dislikes. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of equal opportunities and children have access to a rather limited range of resources and activities that promote equality and reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has an open and receptive understanding of how should would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs could be fully met. Clear behavioural boundaries are in place that help children to learn right from wrong. The childminder offers good explanations so that children can start to understand why any unwanted behaviour is not acceptable. She offers regular praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to the children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem. Parents are kept well-informed of their child's progress through verbal feedback, which helps ensure that each child's ever changing care needs are met. The required complaints information is in place so that parents are aware of the procedures to follow should they be unhappy with any aspect of the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All of the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place and is being accurately maintained. The childminder discusses her practice with new parents at settling in visits and also gives parents information

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 about her duties regarding child protection and complaints so that they are fully aware of her responsibilities as a childminder. Children are given the opportunity to thrive due to the well-organised space, time and resources on offer. They receive appropriate adult support to help them feel secure and confident and are happy in the childminder's care. The childminder is currently attending the required first aid training and is about to attend the required introduction to childminding practice course to support her in her childminding practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase the range of resources and activities that promote equality to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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