Gardner, Nicola

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY294800 Inspection date 16 May 2005 Inspector Christine McInally

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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 first registered in 2004. She lives with her family in an end of terrace house, situated in a residential street in Brighton, close to local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. She is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. She works closely with another childminder and they often come together to offer a wider range of activities and experiences for the children, all parents are aware of this arrangement.

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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. Children enjoy a worthwhile range of activities which help to promote their good health. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and understand why they need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet or before eating food. The childminder has effective nappy changing procedures in place and follows the babies' own routines. Children enjoy regular physical play both indoors and out. They attended toddler groups, visit the park and have regular access to outdoor play. Babies are given good support to develop their physical skills, they are provided with good clear floor space allowing them to move freely around the room. The children's own daily routines are followed, including times for rest and quiet play. Meal and snack times are sociable; children sit at the table with the childminder. They are provided with a range of healthy snacks including bread, cheese and fruit. While

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Helping children to be healthy

parents currently provide packed lunches for the children, the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of healthy eating practices. She encourages the children to make healthy eating choices and older children are offered opportunities to be involved in the preparation of their food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming child friendly home where children feel safe and secure. Children enjoy their play in a safe environment where the childminder has identified and minimised risks, such as, ensuring items that might be harmful are inaccessible to the children. Space within the house is well organised, for example, good clear floor space allows crawling babies to move around safely. Children can easily access the toys and resources which are checked regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm them. When on outings the childminder ensures children know why they need to stay close, hold hands and learn about road safety helping them to develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe. The childminder has a good understanding of all safety-related issues and has in place all the relevant policies and procedures to ensure children's safety. She has a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

reasonable understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and feels confident that she would recognise these. She understands her role in the protection of children and has in place a written policy, which she shares with parents, detailing her legal obligation. All of these measures contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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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 well settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They enjoy a good variety of activities that are appropriate to their ages. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. The interesting and worthwhile range of activities and outings provided help children learn a great deal about the world in which they live. The childminder reads to the children and asks questions helping to develop their language skills. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, painting, music and pretend play. The childminder is extremely warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. Children relate well to the childminder and are beginning to learn

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

important social skills. Outings are undertaken on most days and include visits to toddler groups and to another childminder's providing children with opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children. The childminder gives very good support to the children in their play, providing an environment that allows children to respond with enthusiasm to new challenges. Babies and toddlers enjoy a range of experiences that stimulate their senses, they learn to express themselves in different ways and the childminder is sensitive to their needs. They begin to vocalise and attempt to speak as the childminder consistently to talks to them in their play, for example, naming the toy animals and encouraging the sounds to be repeated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has friendly but professional relationships with the parents. She discusses the children's needs thoroughly with the parents ensuring their individual needs are well met. The childminder forms good relationships with the children and values their contributions as a result children are developing their own personal independence well. Children are treated with respect helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity, however, she has a limited understanding of how to promote this through the activities and resources offered. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through the regular outings and trips provided. Children respond well to the consist praise and encouragement, they readily take part in activities, help to tidy up and are well behaved.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very at home and benefit from the well organised play space provided. They receive good support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident.

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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 The childminder has a business like approach to her childminding and maintains her records well promoting the children's welfare, care and learning. She discusses all aspects of the children's care with the parents, who are kept well informed of their child's achievements. This means the childminder meets the needs of all children who attend.

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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 awareness of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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: 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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