Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341602 Unique Reference Number 02 April 2007 Inspection date Rosemary Musgrove 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two young children in Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. However, children can use the children's upstairs bedrooms for sleeping or to select resources. There is a rear garden available for outdoor 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. She is currently minding three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats and a small selection of African land snails. The childminder is happy to collect from local schools and attend toddler groups. She takes children to the beach, local park and places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are looked after in a clean environment. From an early age, the childminder helps children to develop healthy habits and routines. For example, she encourages them to wash their hands after they have visited the toilet or handled her pet snails or cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed a first aid course and has a current certificate. This means she can administer first aid in the event of an accident. She has requested written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and keeps a clear record of any accidents or incidents. The childminder has a written sickness policy. This states that she does not mind children if they are infectious. This means that unwanted contagious illnesses are not spread to other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of a healthy diet. Children eat snacks that include slices of fresh apple and bread sticks. Current minded children bring their own lunch but the childminder has a sample menu for parents. This lists the type of food she provides, such as cheese sandwiches for lunch and casserole for dinner. Plenty of fluids are available to the children. These include milk shakes, diluted juice and water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, which contribute to their physical development and good health. They play on the trampoline, swings and climbing equipment in the childminder's garden. During the pleasant weather, they go for nature walks in the countryside and to the local beach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a relaxed and spacious environment. The home is welcoming for young children and is organised to give clear space. There is a wealth of good quality toys and resources that are suitable for all ages. These are accessible to the children and encourage them to be independent. Children select resources that include a large pirate ship, a box of cars and an interactive play kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Inside the house, children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder is aware of potential risks and hazards. She has implemented safety measures to protect children from harm and keep them safe. These include safety gates, smoke alarms, low level socket covers and a fire blanket. The childminder has a written evacuation plan. She knows the routes she would use to leave the house, if there was an emergency. The garden area has secure fencing all around, however, a water butt with a loose lid, could pose a potential hazard for young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the precautions that are needed to keep children safe on outings. She makes sure young children hold on to the buggy and stay within her reach. When she arrives at the park, she checks that the gate is locked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, she is not fully aware of the procedures to follow if she had concerns about a child in her care.

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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 and settled in the childminder's home. They play in a child-orientated environment and mix well with the childminder's young family. Babies have many appropriate resources that motivate them to explore and use their senses. The childminder encourages them to handle different textures, such as, cornflour.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Minded children help themselves to toys and games that are suitable for their developmental stage. For example, they love to play with the large model pirate ship on the living room floor. The childminder encourages their vocabulary and they enthusiastically talk about the rigging, treasure and walking the plank.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children take part in a range of creative activities. These include mirror painting of butterflies, colouring and play dough. In the garden, children love to play in the playhouse and explore the role play kitchen and work bench. They play alongside the childminder and her family in the outdoor sand pit and make different animals from the sand and plastic shapes. The childminder is always on hand to talk about what they are making and to encourage their early language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has monthly themes and children do activities that help them find out about the month's topic. For example, in April, the theme is animals and Easter and children visit a farm and find out about different animals. During the nursery rhyme theme, children bake bread like the little red hen and create a collage of their favourite nursery rhyme. Children enjoy music and movement activities, visits to the local library and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of individual children. She spends time talking with them about their family and things that interest them, such as, their pets. Before the childminder cares for a child, parents complete a booklet, which provides vital information. For example, details of the child's favourite toys, their routines and how they communicate. This means the childminder has a good knowledge of individual things that are important to each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an understanding of equal opportunities and diversity. She tries to treat each child fairly and with respect, although recognising that each child is an individual. All children can play with resources that reflect positive images of culture and disability. These include play figures from a variety of cultures and with varying disabilities. This means that children begin to learn about the wider world. The childminder celebrates a variety of festivals including Chinese New Year. The children colour year of the pig pictures, make hats and a Chinese dragon. Easter celebrations include making cards and Easter nests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour policy. She tries to reward good behaviour, set a good example and be consistent. She uses effective strategies to manage children's behaviour, for example, distraction, explanations and time out. She works in partnership with parents and finds out how they manage their children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has plenty of experience of learning difficulties and disabilities from her previous work in childcare. This includes working with children with physical, mental and

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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 emotional needs. She is always willing to consider minding a child with a specific need, if she could support them, alongside other minded children and her own young family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a comprehensive pack for prospective parents. This includes all her policies, for example, equal opportunities. Children are encouraged to have settling in sessions, so they are comfortable when left with the childminder. Each day, babies and young children have a written sheet for their parents with details of nappies, food, sleeps and activities. This means that parents know about the significant features within their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has many years of experience with young children. She has worked in a nursery and as a nanny. The childminder's home offers plenty of well-organised space both indoors and outside. There is a very good range of quality toys and resources that are suitable for the developmental needs of all the children. Children have enough adult attention to feel secure. This means they are keen and confident to initiate their own play and learning alongside the childminder's young family. However, the childminder is always on hand and offers guidance and support when needed.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of her registration. She has the required documentation in place. This is well maintained and securely stored, for example, the record of attendance. She has many written statements and policy documents, which support her practice and contribute to the well-being of the children. These include a lost and uncollected child procedure. The childminder knows about the importance of confidentiality and has a policy in place for dealing with any parental concerns.

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Organisation

Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's care on a daily basis. This contributes to the continuity of the children's care.

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Organisation

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. 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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Complaints 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

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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 water butt is made safe or inaccessible to minded children • extend knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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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