Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301345 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Stacey Sangster

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in the Little Ridge / Conquest area of Hastings. All areas of the premises are used for childminding except for the main bedroom. 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 four children at any one time. School, pre-school, toddler group, shops and parks are within walking distance.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. As a result of the childminders commitment to promoting health and hygiene by demonstrating good practices and explaining the reasons for them, children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. Children have good opportunities to take part in physical activities such as football and trips to local soft play areas. This helps them to develop and build on the skills that they already have and encourages them to think of exercise and keeping fit as a fun activity. Children are taught about the importance of hygiene through daily routines and the childminder talks to the children about hand washing, sun safety and eating healthily. Children use their own labelled hand towels and liquid soap and are beginning to become aware for example that washing their hands helps to stop germs from spreading and giving them tummy aches. The children know that wearing a hat and

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Helping children to be healthy

sun cream will stop them from getting burnt and by understanding the benefits of such actions are beginning to make a conscious effort to protect themselves. The children learn about fire safety with the childminder, talking about fire alarms and smoke detectors and what to do if they hear them go off. The childminder supports these discussions with fun activities such as making collages of fire engines and practicing fire drills, which helps to consolidate the children's learning and encourage them to think about different ways to keep safe. Children are developing a good understanding of healthy eating. For example the childminder encourages children to choose fruit instead of biscuits and if they choose biscuits talks to children about eating sweet things in moderation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised environment where they can move around safely. They develop a good understanding of the reasons behind the routine safety precautions and are able to make choices to help to protect them and keep them safe. Older children are encouraged to play with any toys that contain small parts out of the reach of younger children. As such babies are protected from choking hazards and older children become aware of how to keep the environment safe for others as well as themselves.

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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 When the childminder takes children out she keeps them safe by keeping them within her sight at all times and securing younger children with safety straps in buggies. Children are well supervised when playing in the garden and a visual risk assessment of the premises has identified all but one minor hazard. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a sound understanding of child protection issues. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because she is attentive and committed to meeting their needs and ensuring that they are well occupied and happy. She provides a stimulating play environment for children allowing them to make choices from the range on offer. As a result children are independent and able to influence the play environment. Children are offered good levels of support and the childminder is skilled at knowing when to intervene to avoid frustration and when to help or guide children. She provides encouragement for children to try to resolve problems themselves and explains things in simple terms which enable them to build the skills that enable them to achieve things on their own. Children's confidence and self esteem are well fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder and parents work together to ensure that the childminder has the information needed to ensure their children's individual needs are met. A two-way care diary supports this arrangement and provides a good method of sharing information even when time is scarce. As a result any changing needs are quickly identified and routines adapted to ensure that they can be met. For example the childminder was able to organise the routine on one day to allow more time for a child to sleep as the parents identified that he has had an exceptionally busy day the day before. Children behave well for the childminder. She is patient, calm and gives children clear instructions. Children respond positively to her strategies and as a result are learning right from wrong in a supportive environment. The childminder has a basic knowledge of special needs and an adequate understanding of equal opportunities as a result she is able to support children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

appropriately and they develop an understanding that they are valued as individuals. Resources positively depicting a range of cultures, abilities and religions helps children to learn about the wider community.

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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 The organisation is good. The childminder has a well organised set of documentation which is stored suitably and is kept up to date. All but one of the required consents is in place. She keeps the records securely and has systems in place to update information and ensure that parents can only access information about their own child. As a result confidentiality is maintained to a good standard and the record keeping systems ensure that she is able to keep track of children's individual needs and parents requirements. The childminder is pro-active in improving her child care practice through training and self-improvement she has completed 'paediatric first aid training' and the 'introduction to childminding practice' course and has booked to attend further child care courses

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Organisation

and a child protection course in the future. She is a member of the National Child Minding Association and receives updates and information about good practice. The children in her care benefit from her increased knowledge and her commitment to improving her skills and childcare practices and as a result the needs of all children in her care are met.

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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 that you obtain written consent for emergency medical treatment for all children in your care. • further minimise the risk associated with glass in relation to 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 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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