Spowage, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299794 Inspection date 06 September 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged two years and five years. They live in a house in a residential area of Peacehaven near to parks, schools, and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Two upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom are also used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has one cat and fish. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is

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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 currently minding one pre-school child, who attends 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 and homely setting. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring the children play in a very clean and hygienic environment. This includes good practices for keeping the equipment and toys used by the baby clean. Children learn about good hygiene through effective everyday routines including hand washing. Children are encouraged to eat healthily. The childminder takes into account any dietary requirements that individual children have to ensure she meets their needs. The children enjoy regular daily outdoor activities in the garden and at parks, which contributes to their good health and improves their physical skills. When they are unable to play outside the childminder provides alternative fun physical games indoors such as obstacle courses and movement activities. Babies play happily, developing their physical skills as they explore their surroundings. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

encourages and supports the babies as they learn to move. The effective procedures for the care of sick and injured children ensure they are cared for appropriately. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's health by daily feedback. This enables the parents and childminder to work together effectively to promote children's health.

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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 well-organised home where risks are minimised. The childminder creates several play areas so that different aged children can play safely. The babies have a defined space with soft flooring and cushions where they play with toys which are appropriate for their age. The childminder helps babies learn to sit up and play independently but is also vigilant about their safety, for example, she reacts quickly if a baby does tip over. The older children play with suitable and safe toys in a different area. They learn to help others stay safe, as the childminder explains to them why they should not play with their toys near the baby. The childminder carries out effective ongoing risk assessments for each individual child, for example, as babies gets more mobile she adjusts the environment to ensure they are safe at all times. This results in all children being able to move

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

around the house safely and independently. Children's safety on outings is also given importance and good procedures are in place. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example when crossing roads, due to the childminder discussing

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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 safety with them. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a good 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. The good use of the environment with child friendly play areas makes them feel welcome and promotes their independence. The children enjoy being with the childminder and have warm, affectionate relationships with her. The children play well together and become absorbed in activities they have freely chosen. They have a broad range of good quality toys and activities which they enjoy. They play independently but also gain from good adult support when necessary. Effective interaction from the childminder ensures children are challenged and stimulated as they play. Babies enjoy making sounds as they explore a good variety of sensory toys. The childminder responds well to the babies as they make their needs known. The childminder knows the children well and uses the everyday activities to promote their development. She makes the activities fun and interesting so that the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn as they play. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills as they attend various 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 a small range of resources, a few of which include images of disability. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way. She extends children’s understanding of festivals and customs through some activities so that they learn how other people live. 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 verbal exchange of information to help provide consistent care for each child. The written care diaries keep parents informed of the child’s day, including details of toileting, feeding, and activities enjoyed. The childminder has no experience of working with children with special needs. She has sufficient awareness of the importance of ensuring these children receive appropriate care and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them. She ensures that parents are aware of the strategies and guidelines for behaviour she uses with children. This enables them to work together to help and support a child who is having difficulties.

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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. They receive good adult support and attention to help them feel secure and settled. All the relevant and required documents are in place and are well maintained. The childminder has some informative written policies, which cover certain aspects of her childminding practice. She has good procedures in place to enable children to be cared for appropriately. New parents are made aware of these policies and procedures. The childminder shows parents her childminding file and discusses its contents with them. This enables parents to have a good overall understanding of the childminder's service and how their child is cared for. The childminder continues to keep up to date with her practices by attending further training including a childminding course. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder shares verbally about her overall childcare practices and procedures. There is some written information, which gives new parents a general outline of her childminding.

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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): • continue to extend resources that show positive images of race, culture, religion, and disability

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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 • consider extending the written policies for parents, for example, by including complaints, child protection, and special needs.

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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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