Copus, Louise Michelle

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293933 Inspection date 25 July 2005 Inspector Kate Houghton

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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 has been registered since November 2004. She lives with her partner and pre school aged child in a 2 bed-roomed semi detached property in the Havant area of Portsmouth. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the first floor bathroom is used for toileting and nappy changing arrangements. There is a fully enclosed and secure garden for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part time basis. The family have a pet rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about healthy eating. They enjoy choosing fruit on shopping trips and are included in decision making at mealtimes about what they wish to eat. They enjoy sampling different foods and are gaining an awareness of different tastes and textures. Children are learning to feed themselves with finger foods and are developing their fine motor skills when using a spoon. Children's individual needs are respected, menu plans are shared with parents and information relating to the daily intake of food is shared, to support children's health and growth needs. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise, they have regular access to resources in the local area and have fun with exciting opportunities for active play. Children are developing their large motor skills when climbing, balancing and jumping. Children are learning to be independent and enjoy moving freely about the play areas when

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Helping children to be healthy

visiting the park, farm and attending miniature gym sessions. Children are gaining an awareness to the importance of hygiene. The childminder provides good levels of support and guidance for children, as they are beginning to learn to wash their hands before and after eating as part of the daily routine. Effective measures are taken by the childminder to ensure that all areas are clean and comfortable. Children have access to quiet areas. When asleep children settle well with their comforters and remain comfortable under the careful and watchful eye of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy warm and comfortable surroundings. The childminder organises the environment well to support the safe management and care of children attending. Procedures are followed including risk assessments to ensure all areas are checked regularly and are safe for children to use. Equipment is strategically placed and utilised well to minimise any risks to children. Children are beginning to learn about safety, although still young, they are learning to keep close, hold hands and watch out for cars when walking. When being transported in the pram and car children are cared for safely, they wear restraints and have the use of professionally fitted car seats to protect them from any possible danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children move about the play areas happily and are learning to be independent. They take pleasure in choosing and self selecting toys to play with. All equipment is maintained well and of good quality. Activities are arranged effectively for children to access easily, they enjoy playing with a varied and exciting range of toys and resources to support their development and benefit from purposeful play in safe and secure surroundings. Assured systems are in place to keep children safe. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection, she shares information with parents and agrees procedures to make sure children are safeguarded whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters as a guide to support the planning of children's activities. She is aware of their developmental needs and provides worthwhile play opportunities for children to support their learning. Children enjoy time for free play and have access to an exciting and stimulating range of toys. Children enjoy visits to music groups, story time at the library and quiet time within the childminder's home to look at books. Children are comfortable in their surroundings and settle well, they talk about what they see and point to pictures. They have good relationships with the childminder and enjoy a range of exciting and varied activities, as they are developing their emerging speech and language skills. Children enjoy art and craft activities, they have exciting opportunities to learn about colour, shape and texture. Children are developing fine motor skills as they are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning to handle paint brushes, glue sticks and crayons. In addition children are developing spatial awareness when making collages and have fun making rainbows with stickers, they are beginning to make marks on paper with a range of mediums. They enjoy sensory play with natural materials and play dough. Children are supported well in all activities and as a result are happy, involved, interested and occupied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and their individual needs are recognised. Children enjoy familiar routines to support eating, sleep times and personal care routines. They make decisions and their choices are valued. Children self select from the balanced range of toys and equipment provided. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them. For example they enjoy role play and recognise similarities linked to their own life experiences as they play happily with prams, dolls, home corner and small world activities that give a positive image of differences within our society. Although still young, children are learning to share, take turns and respond well to positive praise and feedback. Children enjoy visiting groups and meeting up with others, subsequently they are developing their independence, self assurance and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 confidence in social situations. The childminder promotes positive partnerships with parents. Parents receive regular verbal feedback and have access to policies, procedures and children's developmental records. Information is displayed and shared with parents to ensure lines of communication are always open. Parents are fully informed and kept up to date with their child's progress and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good quality care. The childminder is qualified and experienced and has a professional approach to the care of children. Children are happy and confident in their environment because the childminder organises her home and plans her day effectively to support children's care arrangements. Children enjoy good levels of supervision, they move freely and confidently about the areas and are supported well in all aspects of care to encourage development. The childminder has efficient record keeping systems in place. Information is easily accessible, kept securely and stored confidentially to ensure the safe organisation and management of the service provided. Overall most documentation is in place to fully support the care of children attending, however some paper work does not contain enough detail and not all information is recorded separately to safeguard the

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Organisation

childminder. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the registration visit the childminder has made improvements to the organisation of the kitchen area. During the last visit the kitchen was being modernised. Work has been carried out and completed to this area. All facilities and amenities within the kitchen are in place and secure. The childminder has previously chosen not to use the garden, as this area was in need of renovation and required landscaping and work carried out to the pond and shed to make it safe for children to access. The childminder has completed works to the garden, the outdoor area is now landscaped and safe for children to use, the pond has been removed and the garden shed is locked, all areas within the garden are fully enclosed and secure for children to access safely. Recommendations were previously made to ensure areas within the home were safe for children to access. Improvements have been made and carried out to the interior doors and shower

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Improvements since the last inspection

cubicle, glass panels in interior doors and shower cubicle are toughened glass and the display cabinet has been safety filmed to ensure that risks to children are minimised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • obtain written parental consent to apply creams and lotions, ensure records relating to significant incidents of behaviour are recorded appropriately.

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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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