Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333132 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2007 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 lives with her husband and two pre-school age children in the Pound Hill area of Crawley, West Sussex. The house is within easy access of local amenities. Minding takes place mainly on the ground floor with toileting and sleeping facilities located on the first floor. Children also have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll. The family have two pet cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 are cared for in the childminder's clean and well organised home. She uses good health and hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infections. For example, the children have their own individual towels and wash their hands before eating and after toileting ; playing in the garden or after messy activities. The childminder also follows a good hygienic nappy changing routine. She is aware of the implications that animals in the home can present and ensures these are minimised to protect the children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has her own clearly written sickness policy, that she shares with parents, along with a list of exclusion times for contagious diseases. She has the National Child Minding Association books to record accidents and any medication administered and understands the registrations requirements for these. However, she has not obtained written permission from parents to seek any emergency medical treatment that may be required in the future and as a consequence children's welfare is not fully safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given good opportunities for regular physical exercise. They are taken on walks to the local play areas and walk to and from the local pre school. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to visit local National Trust venues, Wakehurst Place and Nyman Gardens, where they can take part in activity sessions. These successfully promote the children's physical wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are offered suitable, sufficient snacks, healthy and nutritious meals, by the childminder. She uses seasonal vegetables grown on the family allotment and provides children with fresh fruit for mid morning snacks. A varied menu is available in her portfolio. Children are offered suitable drinks in their own lidded beakers. She follows parents instructions regarding children's dietary needs and as a consequence amply meets all their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a generally safe and secure home where children feel welcome, happy and content. Her home is well maintained. She usually has good safety procedures in place. For example, a safety gate prevents access to the front door and stairs and all electrical power points are protected; the door to the washing machine is kept shut. Children are provided with suitable activities to ensure they are occupied, while she prepares their evening meal. However, while the childminder was preparing to take the children for a walk the keys were left in the front door and a child was able to open the front door unsupervised. The childminder agreed to keep the front door locked in the future and put the keys out of the children's reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good varied selection of clean, safe toys and resources to meet the needs of the children attending. The childminder checks all toys to ensure they are clean and safe for the children to use.

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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 children are taught good road safety procedures as they walk with the childminder to the park or pre school. They walk beside her and stop and look before crossing the road telling her if the road is clear. She displays a clear understanding of all child protection requirements to ensure children are suitably protected at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from a good selection of activities that provide them with interest and are suitable for their age and stage of development. For example, she provides cooking and painting activities and sits on the floor with the children to help support and promote their imaginative play. The children were happily playing together with the dolls, putting clothes on them and wrapping them up with the childminder's help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children really enjoy making shakers, filling plastic bottles with pasta or haricot beans. The childminder is very supportive, as she shows the children how to fill the bottles. She teaches them to use scissors safely, and guides them as they cut strips of coloured tape to decorate the bottles. The children are given constant supervision and are helped, supported and encouraged as they complete the activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures the children are taken out daily either for a walk or to visit local play areas. She talks to the children about the things they can see on route. The children are given ample support as they climb on the climbing frame or use the balancing equipment. The childminder ensures they are taught to use the equipment safely showing them how to climb down, or to push the roundabout for each other successfully. As a consequence she builds their self esteem and promotes their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good resources available to them that reflect the wider world in which we live. The childminder has a clear understanding of equality of opportunity and has her own well written policy that explains her views and practice. She meets the children's individual needs successfully. For example, when the children indicated that they were tired and wanted to sleep before their normal sleep time, the childminder took their needs into consideration and allowed them to rest. She understands their routines and works with parents to provide the individual care they require.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Generally the children behave very well because the childminder has a clear understanding of the ages and stages of child development and has realistic expectations. She uses distraction, is patient and calm when negotiating with the children. She quietly and clearly reminds them of the boundaries and asks them to say sorry when they hurt one another. This ensures children learn right from wrong and helps them to cooperate with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are encouraged to exchange information with the childminder at the start and end of the childminding day to ensure children are cared for appropriately. She provides parents with

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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 some written information about her childminding service and has ample information in her portfolio which she shares with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a relaxed and happy atmosphere created by the childminder. Her home is generally safe and secure and children are able to play safely and unhindered in the open plan area on the ground floor of her home. She makes sure that the adult to child ratios are adhered to according to her registration agreement. Most documentation is very well maintained and is up to date and in order to ensure the wellbeing of the children. She has her own clear policies and procedures in place and is willing to attend further training to extend her knowledge and understanding of child care requirements.

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Organisation

The childminder generally provides children with satisfactory supervision to ensure their safety. Their personal details are stored confidentially and all records have been kept since registration commenced. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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 written parental permission is obtained to seek any emergency medical treatment or advice that may be required in the future. • ensure children cannot exit the premises by opening the front door.

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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 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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