Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268953 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2007 Inspection date Fler Wright 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, four and six years in Seaford, East Sussex. The majority of the property is used for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently minding a two year old, two days a week and a further child aged under eight years after school, one afternoon per week. The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park, shops and toddler groups, and does regular school runs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Well-established hygiene routines increase children’s understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. They wash them at appropriate times during

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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 the day and are encouraged to use soap, helping to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder wipes tables before use and keeps the environment clean and tidy. Children who are infectious do not attend, thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history ensuring all children's individual needs are met. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and has already booked herself onto another course to ensure the certificate does not expire and that children are well protected in the event of a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Parents provide meals for children and the childminder supplements these with a range of nutritious snacks such as fruit or toast, to help ensure children's dietary needs are met. Drinks are available at all times and children confidently help themselves. This encourages them to think about their personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who is responsive to their emotional needs. They know each other well. Children freely enjoy a range of activities that help to develop their physical skills. They visit local play areas and toddler groups at least twice a week, enjoy garden play in the summer months, and participate in dancing and singing sessions indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious, well-organised environment which allows them to move around and play safely. They have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their ages, that encourage all areas of their development. Children make good use of the role play equipment and enjoy making each other cups of tea. They sit at child-size furniture to have their snack or to play with play- doh helping to make the environment a warm and welcoming play space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of potential hazards, and has successfully minimised them around the home, helping children to move around the home and garden safely. Children are able to roam around the house as they please, accessing the different areas and equipment available giving them an important sense of independence. The childminder closely follows them and interacts with them well. She ensures they are within her sight or hearing at all times, and they are always directly supervised when playing in the garden or on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take should she have concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interests. All serious or suspicious existing injuries are recorded, helping to safeguard children in the event of a referral being made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the care of the childminder. She is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. Children relate well to her, and confidently approach her for support, indicting trusting relationships are built.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn from a broad range of activities and experiences that help to encourage their learning and development. They visit a variety of places such as toddler groups, dancing classes

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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 and the library on a very regular basis. This helps to ensure the children progress in all areas of their development, and they experience a good variety of things to do each day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of child development, meaning that children’s personal, social and emotional development is appropriately nurtured. The way that the she organises the space and resources helps children to take initiative and develop increasing confidence and independence. They are able to access resources as they please as they are strategically placed at their level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a well-balanced range of activities that allow them to become involved in both quiet and active play. The childminder has lots of experience in childcare and her knowledge and confidence helps to benefit the children in her care. She effectively questions them in order to encourage their learning, and she fully understands exactly how children benefit from purposeful play. She successfully engages children in activities such as reading books, hiding the dolly or rolling balls between each other, making games fun, whilst making good use of the equipment available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. The childminder splits her time well between each child, and encourages all children to participate in the activities provided. This helps to ensure they each have an equal opportunity to maximise their enjoyment and potential. There are a range of activities and resources available that help to develop children's understanding of diversity, and various festivals are celebrated helping to ensure they learn about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has lots of experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities both in her previous role as a primary school teacher, and in her role as a childminder. She works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children’s developmental needs are discussed with the parents and concerns are raised quickly, helping to ensure consistency of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show an understanding of working co-operatively as they share popular resources such as play-doh tools and role play equipment. The childminder uses effective explanations for managing behaviour, helping children learn to understand right from wrong, the boundaries set, and play together harmoniously. Strategies are generally consistent, and are discussed with parents. However, further clarification is required in the behaviour management policy to ensure complete consistency. The childminder plans to record any behaviour incidents occurring in the future, so that any patterns can be identified.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages a communicative relationship with parents. They provide appropriate and relevant information about their children, helping to ensure they receive individual care and attention. Parents are very happy with the care provided, and particularly like the range of outings their children enjoy, and the fact that their children are so happy with the childminder. The policies and procedures available help to clarify how the childminder runs her business. All of the relevant parental permissions are in place, helping to ensure children are cared for according to parents wishes.

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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. All of the required documentation is in place, is confidential and well-maintained. These records are complemented with a range of policies, procedures and parental consents, helping to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. The behaviour management policy requires minor updating to further clarify the procedures in place.

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Organisation

The childminder is confident in her abilities to care for children and is a qualified primary school teacher. She has years of childcare experience and has attended all of the required training and regularly updates her skills in order to keep abreast with current childcare practice. This helps to ensure children benefit from her qualifications, skills and experience.

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Organisation

Children profit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The space, time and resources are all well-organised, helping to ensure children gain the most from their time with the childminder. 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): • clarify behaviour management routines in the policy to ensure consistency, and ensure incidents are recorded.

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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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