Ms Jodi Keating

Inspection report for early years provision

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505725 Unique Reference Number 11 April 2007 Inspection date Lisa Toole Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and seven years in Peacehaven, East Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight on a part-time basis and she also minds children over eight years. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment and they learn about the need for good personal hygiene through daily routines such as regular hand washing. Children are appropriately cared for if they have a minor accident because the childminder maintains an up-to-date first aid certificate and basically records accidents in her record. The childminder maintains a medication record which details when she has administered medication to a minded child.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 However, she does not obtain parents' prior written consent to give medication to their child. This is a breach of regulation and it also compromises the children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's sound understanding of healthy eating as they are offered snacks of fresh fruit and enjoy a range of nutritious meals, including items such as Shepherd's Pie and Spaghetti Bolognese. Children can access a drink whenever they need one and the childminder encourages them to drink plenty to prevent dehydration. Meal and snack times are sociable experiences, when children enjoy sitting chatting with the childminder about general news and things they have been doing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for daily physical exercise to get fresh air and promote their physical development. They enjoy trips to the beach, farms and local parks, as well as playing in the childminder's garden. The youngest children also enjoy physical play activities which help support their gross motor development as they take their first steps walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play in a safe and welcoming environment where there is a dedicated play room which is warm and welcoming. There are also displays of children's work and photographs of them in dressing up clothes; both help foster a sense of belonging for the children and show that their work is valued. Children have easy and safe access to an extensive range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and developmental needs. This enables children to make their own decisions about what they do and play with. The toys and resources are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for use and are regularly checked to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder ensures the premises are kept secure and children are able to play safely. There are good procedures in place regarding the alternative collection of children, which means they are only collected by authorised persons. Items such as cupboard catches and socket covers help protect children from hazards in the home and appropriate fire safety equipment is in place to help keep children safe. Children learn about good road safety, including how to use the green cross code while on outings and are securely seated in appropriate seating in the car, in line with requirements and their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder, who has a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She is also fully aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. She is caring and friendly making children feel comfortable and valued; she spends a lot of time sitting on the floor directly engaging in activities with them. They have many opportunities to develop their self confidence because they are involved in decisions about the kinds of activities they do and they are able to easily access the wide range of play equipment in both the play room and conservatory.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's overall learning and development is effectively supported and encouraged through activities such as lots of art and craft when the children make things such as papier mache hot

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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 air balloons, leaf and flower pressing to make place mats, as well as free drawing, painting and chalking. Other popular activities include cooking, trips to the beach and local parks as well as general free play indoors. Younger children are supported with activities in line with the Birth to three matters framework; these include bubble and water play, feeling every day materials for sensory play and mark making with finger paints. They are able to develop their early communication skills because the childminder interacts positively with them; she spends time chatting and verbalising sounds that they make.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and all children are able to access a full range of activities to support their play and learning needs. The childminder treats each child with equal respect and concern in order to foster their self esteem and confidence. She spends time finding out about each child's individual needs as part of the settling in process and their routines from home are followed to help each child feel secure and ensure consistency of care. She encourages the children to play together co-operatively and helps them learn about right and wrong in order to support their moral and social development. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and from basic ground rules which are in place to promote their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to an appropriate range of resources which reflect positive images of equality and they also have opportunities to learn about the world around them. The childminder has experience of working with children who have learning difficulties and disabilities and she works closely in collaboration with parents to support each child's individual development, in order for them to make progress in their learning and ensure their care needs are being met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder maintains a positive partnership with parents, which in turn helps ensure that their children's needs are appropriately supported and they are well cared for. Parents are fully informed of the childminder’s practice, through daily verbal feedback, ensuring their continued support and considering the welfare of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She works within her conditions of registration at all times and is aware of the need to ensure that children are protected from any unvetted persons. Children benefit from the childminder's organised approach to her childminding, including the provision of a play room and there is a wide range of toys and play resources. The children also benefit from the caring adult support they receive, because the childminder is warm and friendly in her approach.

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Organisation

Most of the documentation that contributes to the children's safety, care and well-being is in place and is accurately maintained. She maintains children's records, the register of attendance is in place and her certificate of registration is displayed. There is one weakness, which relates to a breach of regulation, because the childminder does not obtain prior written parental consent for the administration of medication. This impacts on her ability to care for children in line with their parents' wishes.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendations. These related to the range of resources that promote equality and opportunities for children to extend their learning. Since the last inspection the childminder has increased and developed her range of activities and resources in order for children to be extended in their learning and gain a greater knowledge about the world around them.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 satisfactory. 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 that prior written consent is obtained in order to give medication to children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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