Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY275238 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Crawford Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and four, in a house in Ford, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and part of the first floor is used to sleep children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and to provide overnight care for one child. She is currently minding five children under five part-time and two children over five before and after school during term time only. Two children over eight years are also minded before and after school during the school term. No children are being cared for overnight. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools by car. She attends local toddler groups with minded children. She takes children on walks and outings to an activity centre, to the library and to the local park. The family have no pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle and are well cared for in a clean and well maintained environment, where the childminder promotes good health and hygiene throughout the provision. Children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill, because the childminder follows appropriate guidelines and procedures and maintains a current first aid certificate. Children learn the importance of good practice when developing their independence in their personal care routines. The childminder provides a good role model to children, as high priority is given to good hygiene practice in every day routines and nappy changing procedures. For example, baby changing mats are cleaned with an anti-bacterial liquid after each nappy change.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents and keeps appropriate records. The childminder provides healthy snacks for children which include fruit and vegetables. Parents provide packed lunches, meals and baby bottles for their children. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day and the younger children use their own lidded cups. Children's food is stored appropriately and heated to the correct temperature to ensure the children's well-being is protected. Children rest and sleep according to their needs in safe and comfortable surroundings.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air during regular outdoor play in the garden and on walks and outings. Children visit a local activity centre which widens their play opportunities and promotes their physical development. Children use a wide range of play equipment, such as a climbing frame and slide in the garden, to increase their co-ordination and balancing skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and uses risk assessment to identify and minimise potential hazards. She follows through the good practice by using her own well implemented policies and procedures. Good use is made of safety equipment and emergency procedures are well thought through, in order to safeguard children. The childminder is aware to refit the fire blanket in a suitable position in the kitchen, following recent home improvements. Appropriate provision is made for children's safety should overnight care be provided.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an appropriate, safe and suitable range of toys and equipment, which meet the needs of children under eight years and support the needs of the children being cared for. Toys and equipment are regularly checked and kept in a clean and well maintained condition. The childminder ensures children are protected when travelling in the car and on outings, by using correctly fitted age appropriate booster and safety seats and equipment which meets standards for safety. Children learn about keeping themselves on outings and to avoid accidental injury in their play. For example, children become aware of safety when walking near roads, and learn

p.3

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 about the importance of clearing away small toys and objects before the baby plays on the floor.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children. She is aware of procedures to put into practice if necessary but is unclear about the local procedures. She provides parents with appropriate written information regarding safeguarding children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming and child centred home environment. Children benefit from the attentive care and warm relationships they enjoy with the childminder. They receive appropriate support, guidance and individual attention from the childminder when they tire of an activity. Children have opportunities for independent play and can access a range of toys and resources themselves. The childminder extends children's learning effectively by linking one activity to another. For example, she introduces colour, number and time recognition into play activities and conversations. Children become actively involved in a range of stimulating and fun activities, for instance, cooking and craft activities using clay. They enjoy a wide range of outings and opportunities for physical play, such as walking to the park, visiting a toddler group and the library, and going to a nearby children's activity centre.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities appropriately to suit the children's understanding and their developing needs. The written plans of the daily routine and activities provided, inform parents of their children's day. The childminder recognises the importance of play in the children’s development and provides for the differing needs and various age groups of children she cares for.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcome and treated as individuals, as the childminder promotes equality of opportunity throughout her practice. She works well with parents to meet individual children’s needs and to ensure they are fully included in the provision. Therefore children feel valued and develop a sense of being part of the family. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and good relationships are established. Parents are kept fully informed about the provision and their children's care, routines and the activities they enjoy. Parents receive extremely good information about the provision by means of a prospectus, although this does not include contact details of the regulator. However a poster is displayed giving parents the necessary details should they wish to comment on the provision. Parents express their complete satisfaction with the care given to their children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to make choices and take decisions in their play, developing their independence effectively. They learn to be considerate and helpful to others and begin to take responsibility for simple tasks, such as tidying away chalks and crayons when they have finished with the activity. The childminder agrees with parents how children's behaviour is managed in

p.4

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 order to provide a consistent approach. Children are encouraged to share fairly and to co-operate with each other in their play. Strategies when dealing with unwanted behaviour are at a level of children's understanding and are supported by the use of positive praise and encouragement. Children have access to a suitable range of resources reflecting diversity. They become more aware of diversity within society through the range of activities and outings they enjoy.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's effective organisation ensures children are well protected and cared for. Space is used appropriately and the day is organised well to ensure that all children’s needs are met. Children are familiar with the daily routine and are comfortable and at ease in childminder's home. The childminder has a professional approach to childminding. She uses her experience and training, together with her knowledge of child development, to provide good quality care for children.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution. All of the legally required documentation and records are in place. The registration certificate is displayed to inform parents of the conditions of registration, along with other relevant information. The childminder is aware of maintaining confidentiality when sharing records. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and this is reflected in her practice.

p.5

Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made to ensure that children's records are recorded in appropriate detail. The attendance record now provides a clear record of children's attendance supporting their safety.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Further recommendations were made to obtain written permission for emergency treatment and prior written permission for administering medication to children. The childminder now ensures clear records are kept and prior written permissions are obtained from parents, protecting children's well-being.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended that detailed records of incidents and behaviour issues are shared with parents. Sufficient information is now recorded appropriately to inform parents and carers of any incidents relating to their children. This ensures all children are supported, protected and become aware of acceptable behaviour.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Another recommendation was made to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and diversity. A suitable range of resources and activities have been introduced which reflect diversity and the wider world.

p.5

Improvements 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

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • increase awareness of the local safeguarding children procedures

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6