Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274829 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2007 Inspection date Sue Taylor 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 2004. She lives with her two children aged 11 and three in Eastbourne. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with an upstairs bedroom used for sleeping babies and use of the bathroom. 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 and is currently minding one child under five for most of the week. The childminder generally walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a guinea pig.

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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 are cared for in a very clean, homely environment. The childminder follows good hygiene routines that help children stay healthy. Children learn about the importance of hand washing. They use antibacterial liquid soap and they all have their own towel and flannel. This helps prevent cross infection. The childminder maintains relevant documentation for medication and accidents. This ensures parents give written consent for any medicines and receive detail of any accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Throughout the day children have easy access to drinking water. This enables them to control their own thirst needs. Young children are encouraged to drink regularly to prevent dehydration. The childminder provides healthy snacks such as fruit or raisins and has an understanding of the need for a nutritious and balanced diet. Parents provide meals and the childminder ensures perishables are stored in the fridge to prevent spoiling.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical play in the fresh air. They play in the garden and often go for walks. They enjoy jumping over pavement cracks and learn to skip. They visit local parks, the beach or the woods. At toddler group, young children learn new skills such as going down the slide. Indoors children use a range of age appropriate toys that encourage their physical development and help their hand-eye coordination. For example, toddlers use shape sorters, move cars around or start to build with bricks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and organised home. The childminder has put thought into her fire procedures, however, the fire blanket is not easily accessible. Risks are minimised enabling children to explore the environment in safety. Toys are age appropriate and of good quality. Children can make safe choices about their play. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are kept clean and free from damage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through explanations from the childminder, children learn how to keep themselves safe, particularly when out and about. For example, they learn how to walk along roads safely and to ensure younger children cannot access small play pieces. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate that she is updating in the near future ensuring she keeps herself informed of current practices. This enables her to act appropriately in the event of an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her responsibilities and informs parents of her role in safeguarding children’s welfare.

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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 very happy, relaxed and content. They develop a warm and close relationship with the childminder that supports their emotional well-being. The childminder spends her time playing with children and getting involved in their games. Toys and resources are easily accessed and enable children to make choices about their play. Information about a baby’s day is recorded in the home contact book. As children get older, they have scrapbooks that include photographs and examples of their work or art. These are a good record of the child’s time with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their early learning is encouraged as they play, with the childminder introducing numbers and letter sounds. Children’s speech and language develops as the childminder encourages young children to respond with sounds. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder gets to know the children in her care and ensures that activities are stimulating and interesting. She plans activities around a theme and demonstrates some interesting ideas. She recognises how some of her good practice links to the Birth to three matters framework. She has a positive understanding of how children develop. For example, she notes that a child makes connections to a past activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and how meeting the individual needs of children helps them settle and feel valued. The range of resources that positively reflect other cultures and disability develops children’s growing awareness of the wider world. She ensures she works alongside parents and meets home routines as appropriate. Children develop good self-esteem and confidence, as they are welcomed into the childminder’s home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management is good. The childminder has a good understanding of taking children’s age and stage of development into account. Strategies used to manage behaviour are positive and help children understand what is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are well informed about their child’s day. They receive verbal feedback and a contact book records daily events. They are informed about the childminder’s practices and responsibilities from discussion or by looking through the file, which includes some written detail. However, the childminder is less confident in her knowledge of the current complaints process.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from the well-organised environment and day, arranged to suit their needs and enjoyment. They have access to a range of stimulating and fun play resources and activities. Children receive very good attention and support from the childminder, helping them feel secure and happy.

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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 required records and documentation are in place. Children are well supervised at all times, ensuring they are protected from un-vetted persons and kept safe. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the record of attendance accurately reflected the attendance of children. The current book is completed with times, as children arrive or depart, giving an accurate record.

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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.

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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): • place the fire blanket on a suitable wall for ease of access • develop knowledge of the current complaints process and related regulatory detail

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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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