Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY302362 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2005 Inspection date Jacqueline Crawford 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 2005. She is registered to care for children in the home of another childminder, in Littlehampton, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly works with the other childminder. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children under 5 years part-time. When working with another childminder, a maximum of 12 children may be cared for at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler and carers group, and regularly takes children on outings to parks and the beach. There is a pet cat in the household.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local Childminder Network.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows extremely good health and hygiene practice throughout the provision. She ensures the clear policies and procedures are well implemented, and information regarding sickness and injury is shared with parents. Children learn the importance of good health and hygiene practice through clear explanations from the childminder and the effective daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating and enjoy a wide range of nutritious snacks. They enjoy helping to prepare simple snacks, which are in keeping with the healthy lifestyle of the provision. Children's health and dietary needs are met effectively, because the childminder works with parents, keeps children's individual records, and follows appropriate food hygiene and safety guidelines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of exercise during regular outings and outside play. They benefit from the extremely good range of resources, which are appropriate for their age range, and enable them to learn and develop through physical play. Children and babies rest and sleep according to their needs in comfortable surroundings. The childminder works effectively with her co-minder, providing a high standard of care which contributes to children's health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are extremely well cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. The childminder ensures children are effectively protected because she is fully aware of potential hazards both indoors and outdoors. For example, the garden is not currently not used by minded children because of construction work, but children continue to enjoy regular outdoor play through daily outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy an extremely safe and suitable range of good quality toys. equipment and resources, which meet the needs of the children who attend. All toys and equipment are regularly checked and maintained in a safe and clean condition. Play activities are well planned to ensure babies do not access toys or resources which are unsuitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder ensures children develop a good sense of awareness about their personal safety, because they are effectively cared for and supervised in the home and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder knows her role in child protection and has a sound understanding of procedures. She has all of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and motivated, showing a keen sense of interest in the range of play and learning activities provided. The stimulating environment and the extremely good resources, effectively meet the needs of the babies and children attending. Children enjoy meaningful play and learning experiences, which include creative activities that often relate to a story, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem effectively because of the extremely good support they receive from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the warm and close relationships they have with the childminder. They feel special and develop a strong sense of belonging, because the childminder understands the children's developing needs. Children interact well in their play, learning to be helpful and considerate to one another, developing good friendships. Babies are engaged in stimulating activities which enable them to progress and interact with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual and additional needs met, because the childminder works effectively with parents which ensures children feel valued and important. Children are comfortable and develop a full sense of belonging because they are fully included in the life of the setting. They benefit from the well organised activities and stimulating environment, in which they can choose freely and access resources easily. Children become aware of diversity and the world around them through a wide variety of activities and the good range of resources provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour and play harmoniously together. They are developing a good awareness of their own needs and those of others, as the older children include the younger children in their play. The childminder's sensitive and calm approach, together with the simple rules and clear boundaries, are shared with parents and children understand, maintaining a caring environment in which children thrive. The effective partnership with parents and the well-presented information they receive, ensures they are fully informed about the provision and their child's care and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the good organisation and the childminder's professional approach, which ensures they are extremely well cared for. The partnership with another childminder, the good planning and extremely well organised environment, contributes significantly to children's care, learning and development. The childminder is extending her knowledge through further training and development, referring to the Foundation Stage and Birth to Three Matters in her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the legally required records and documentation, which ensures children are well protected. A full set of policies and procedures are clearly presented and are

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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 made available to parents. The childminder ensures parents are kept fully informed about their children's care and progress through daily discussions.

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Organisation

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

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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 increase knowledge of childcare and education through further training and development

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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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