Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114496 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2006 Inspection date Elaine Simmons 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 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 1996. She lives with her husband and teenage son.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a house in Burgess Hill, with shops, parks and a leisure centre within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for six children over the course of the week, aged from 11 months to five years and nine months. She collects children from two local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly takes children to two local carer and toddler groups.

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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. The children benefit from the childminders good hygiene routines, which help to prevent the spread of infections. She provides antiseptic gel for children to clean their hands with when they go out to visit farms and other local attractions: children are given liquid soap and paper towels; or use wet wipes to clean their hands before eating, after toileting or playing in the garden. She follows a hygienic nappy changing routine and uses disposable gloves to further protect herself and the children from infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear sickness policy that is shared with parents. She amply records accidents and any medication administered in her own accident, incident and medication, duplicate record book. She provides parents with a copy of the report and makes sure they sign it as an acknowledgement.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities for physical exercise. The childminder walks with the children daily to and from school. She takes them to local parks and the leisure centre for activity sessions. As a consequence children's physical health is successfully promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The parents provide children with meals and snacks which the childminder stores in the fridge. They also provide drinks for the children in their own beakers, which the childminder tops up as required. She offers children water or squash and provides fruit and a plain biscuit as a snack. Today the children enjoyed Satsuma segments, grapes and a plain biscuit given to them in their own individual bowl. A Christmas tree shaped biscuit was also provided as a special treat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is safe, secure and very well maintained. It is clean, well organised and provides the children with a friendly and welcoming environment where they can play unhindered. Children have access to the ground floor only and are given close supervision by the childminder in the garden and kitchen to ensure their safety. The childminder uses the conservatory to enable the older children to play age related games. She successfully meets their individual needs by segregating the age groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a good varied range of clean, safe equipment, toys, books games and puzzles sufficient to suit the age range attending. The toys offer the children interest and challenge and this helps their learning and development in all areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses good procedures to keep children safe. They are routinely taught road safety techniques when out walking with her. She uses wrist straps for younger children and older children walk on the inside and hold the side of the pushchair or her hand when they cross the road. They are given constant supervision at all times and safety gates are used to prevent access to the stairs and the kitchen. Children's wellbeing is further protected by the

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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 childminder's clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and all child protection requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a varied range of activities arranged for them by the childminder. They often meet with other childminder's and their children so that they can socialise and play together. Children are taken to toddler groups and various other local venues for activities by the childminder. They really enjoy trips further a field, using public transport, when they accompany the childminder to visit Brighton by train.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans craft activities at home, which the children really enjoy. For example, they all sat together putting pasta shapes into bottles, to make shakers. They talk about the colours of the pasta, their shapes and how full to make the bottle to enable it to shake successfully. The children decorate the bottles with small stickers which they choose from a selection provided for them. The childminder respects their wishes and freedom of choice, when one child wanted to put the stickers on his jumper rather than the bottle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are also amply supported, in their play, by the childminder as she helps them to put together a farm set. She listens to the children's ideas and builds their self esteem as she follows their instructions valuing their contribution towards the construction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a varied range of resources, provided by the childminder, these reflect the multicultural world in which they live. She celebrates other festivals with the children and takes them, with their parents permission, to local church groups to celebrate Easter and Christmas. The childminder understands the children's individual idiosyncrasy, and suitably meets their individual needs. She celebrates the children's birthdays and uses some words from the children's home language, which helps the children to feel valued and builds their self esteem successfully. The childminder has some experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She takes into consideration the requirements of all the children, to ensure that all their individual needs are suitably met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good behaviour management strategies. Children are encouraged to share and cooperate with each other. They have simple house rules to follow, which enables them to understand the boundaries and these are routinely followed through by the childminder. The children play together very well and are happy and content in each others company. The childminder follows parents wishes when using behaviour management techniques, which means children are given consistent messages and as a consequence these help them to learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given some written information by the childminder. She is flexible and builds a friendly but professional rapport with parents. She encourages them to verbally exchange information with her which enables her to meet the children's and parents needs successfully.

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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 are cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment where they can play safely and feel secure. The childminder understands the adult to child ratios and ensures these are suitably met. She adequately records children's attendance in her daily register and keeps all records up to date and in order. These are regularly reviewed to ensure the effective running of her childminding service. However, although she has obtained permission from parents for: outings, travel in a vehicle; to administer sun protection and medication; take photos and make observation, she has not obtained permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice, and as a consequence, children's welfare is not sufficiently safe guarded.

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Organisation

The childminder's records are well organised and stored securely in ring binders. She is very aware of the need to keep children's personal information confidential and provides a separate portfolio to share with new parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous Child Care inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure smoke alarms are fitted at each level of the property and to maintain them in working order; to make sure the certificate of registration is displayed and to adhere to the registration numbers at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has installed working smoke detectors on every level and is prominently displaying her certificate of registration. She has also increased her registered numbers to allow for an occasional overlap of children. As a consequence children's welfare is suitably protected at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1st 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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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

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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 permission to seek any emergency medical treatment or advice that may be required in the future.

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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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