Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330474 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2007 Inspection date Jill Steer 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their children aged 10 and 14 years in Worthing, West Sussex. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes 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 six children at any one time and is not currently minding. When co-minding a maximum of eight children may be cared for at any one time. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group. The family has two pet rabbits and some fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fresh foods. Children are provided with suitable quantities of food and drink

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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 for their individual needs which is generally provided by their parents. Written menus demonstrate the range of very healthy and nutritious meals the childminder plans. For example chicken with noodles and salad and bagels with tuna. Discussions with the childminder show that parents' are consulted and supported about nutrition, for example helping establish a regular intake of drinking water. She indicates that she takes time to learn about children's preferences, has clearly recorded details of children's allergies, and their likes and dislikes to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home environment is very clean and well maintained. The childminder shows a very good knowledge of how to promote children's good health. For example, she protects them from infectious diseases by ensuring parents fully understand that sick children cannot be cared for. The childminder describes her good nappy changing procedure which reduces the risk of cross contamination. For example wearing gloves and keeping the nappy changing mat clean between uses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of the importance of promoting lots of opportunity for healthy exercise for children. Routine walks and visits to the park are planned to enable children to use the large climbing equipment. The childminder shows that children would be given good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example photos show a baby practising sitting up surrounded by cushions for support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Use of the available space is planned very effectively to meet children's different needs and ensure they are safe and comfortable. Play resources are organised so that children can safely access a wide range of toys and equipment from the toy boxes and on low shelves. They are clearly labelled in words and pictures to help children find them easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Discussion with the childminder and observations indicate that she has taken appropriate action to ensure risks in her home have been minimised, allowing children to play safely. For example, she has had the garden pond fitted with a very secure cover to protect children from the water. She places strong emphasis on safe supervision at all times including outings, when children have security wrist bands to wear with the childminder's details on.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder verbally demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures, which enables her to safeguarded children's welfare appropriately. She shows a willingness and confidence to record any concerns and to discuss these with parents. However, she is unsure of the procedure for reporting her concerns to protect children and keep them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Evidence suggests children are offered an excellent variety of activities to stimulate their interest and exploration. The childminder describes in detail the ways in which she uses her plans to ensure the variety of activities offered appropriately meets their individual needs. She has a good knowledge of how children develop and has skilfully incorporated the Birth to three matters framework into her planning, so that children are offered a well balanced range of activities each day. She is very aware of the need to provide activities which offer appropriate levels of challenge, suitable to children's age and stage of development.

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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 The childminder records daily observations of children's play and completes a detailed three monthly review of the observations to identify children's progress. This helps her plan a range of suitable activities which interest the children and are suited to their individual abilities, helping them to make good developmental progress. Children are offered an excellent variety of activities to stimulate their interest in exploration. For example photographs show a baby very much enjoying watching his splashes in a bowl of water.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes how she actively involves herself with children's play, yet allows them space to express themselves freely. She explains how she talks to children constantly, so that their language skills develop well. The wide range of play resources are organised very successfully to promote children's free choices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Discussion with the childminder suggests that children are much valued and respected as individuals. She offers many opportunities for children to learn about their local community as they regularly go out for walks. The childminder has a good range of resources which raise children's awareness of other cultures and she plans activities such as cooking foods from other countries and celebrations of festivals such as Eid and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks about how her partnership with parents is very effective and regular communication ensures they are fully informed about the provision and what their children have been doing. She provides parents with a daily written report which gives details of how the children have eaten, slept and been occupied. A comprehensive and informative portfolio informs parents of all aspects of the childminder's practice so they are fully informed as to what service is provided for their children. However, the complaints log lacks all the required detail for recording complaints. Parents write positively in support of the childminder, stating how the are 'very happy with the care' and how they 'trust the childminder is taking good care' of their child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows very effectively how she responds appropriately to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. She takes time to get to know them well and understands their likes and dislikes. She has a very clear approach to behaviour management and places strong emphasis on politeness and good manners, encouraging children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder encourages children to behave well by using lots of praise and encouragement. She describes how she effectively models appropriate behaviour and talks quietly with children when their behaviour is not acceptable.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates that she has a very organised and professional approach to her childminding role. She shows she supports children's individual needs by flexible planning. Daily routines are in place but are amended sensitively to respond to the different needs of the children cared for.

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Organisation

All record keeping systems and required documentation is in place, available for inspection and stored confidentially. The childminder has established very good procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. A comprehensive set of clearly written policies underpin the good service the childminder provides for children. She demonstrates effectively the ways

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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 in which she shares her policies, responsibilities and overall childcare practice with parents. The childminder clearly demonstrates how children would be kept safe in her care and their welfare safeguarded by her understanding and implementation of required policies and procedures.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection/registration/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. 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): • update complaint log in line with current guidance • update knowledge of procedures for reporting child abuse

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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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