Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297836 Inspection date 20 May 2005 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 December 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, 9, and 1 year. They live in a house in the Willingdon area of Eastbourne close to local shops, schools, and parks. The whole of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. Part of a fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The family has two dogs.

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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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three pre-school children, all of whom attend on a part –time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, clean environment. They enjoy close and supportive relationships with the childminder. The children learn about good hygiene through effective everyday routines including hand washing. The children's individual sleep routines are met and their sense of belonging is promoted well through the use of their own named clean bedding. Children benefit from a healthy and balanced diet. They enjoy a variety of nutritious snacks and meals, increasing their awareness of different tastes. The childminder adjusts the menu to take into account any dietary requirements that individual children have so they always eat foods which are good for them. The daily care diary is used to exchange information with parents about what a child has eaten that day. This ensures that children are fed appropriately throughout the day. The children enjoy regular daily outdoor activities in local parks which contributes to

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Helping children to be healthy

their good health and improves their physical skills. The effective procedures for the care of sick and injured children ensures that their welfare is given high priority. Parents are kept fully informed of any health concerns or accidents by well maintained documentation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure indoor environment where they are easily supervised. Risks are regularly reviewed for individual children and any hazards minimised by the childminder. This ensures that all individual children move around and play safely in the home. The effective use of the stair gate across the hall ensures that children stay safe when visitors arrive. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, particularly if there is a fire in the home. They learn to identify the noise of the smoke alarm and what to do if they hear it. The newly re-designed outdoor area needs further safety measures to enable the childminder to begin using it for minded children. Until these are completed the childminder takes children to a suitable and safe outdoor area for more active play. Children make their own independent choices from a well organised range of good quality safe and suitable toys and equipment. The childminder checks that the toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children present.

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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 The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example she has a secure knowledge of what to do if she suspects a child is being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident, and settled. They enjoy being with the childminder and have warm, affectionate relationships with her. Children's independence is growing in various ways, for example, as they make use of the named coat pegs in the hall. The children play well together and are interested in the activities available. They enjoy books in the book area that the childminder creates. They play independently but also gain from good adult support when necessary. Effective interaction from the childminder ensures children are challenged and stimulated. The children learn to recognise shapes and colours as they play. The childminder knows the children well so adapts activities to take into account their interests. Children's development is promoted in various ways including extending their language skills as they play. Young children enjoy exploring using their senses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creative skills develop as they explore painting and craft activities. They enjoy socialising with other children through regular visits to other childminder's homes and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's awareness of the wider world is partially promoted by the use of story books and a few resources. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way but fails to make full use of everyday activities and planned learning opportunities to continue to develop their understanding. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to support children and meet their individual needs. There is a daily exchange of information about the child's day, both verbally and through the use of care diaries. The childminder shares verbally about her overall childcare practices and procedures. There is some written information which gives new parents a basic outline of her childminding. The childminder has no experience of working with children with special needs but has some knowledge of the appropriate care and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

support that may be necessary. Children behave well together, benefiting from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. She sets consistent guidelines which the children learn and respond to. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them. They learn to share and take turns with the toys.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a well organised environment and day. The good adult support and attention helps them feel at home and part of the family. The children are supervised well to ensure they are protected from unvetted persons. The relevant and required documentation is in place and well maintained. The childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure that the welfare of the children is promoted and parents are well informed. The childminder continues to keep up to date with her practices by attending courses such as first aid. She is keen to develop her knowledge and improve her practices and care of the children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the 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): • ensure the rear garden area is safe for minded children • extend children's understanding of diversity through the daily provision of resources and activities that promote positive images of culture, religion, race, and disability

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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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