Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342174 Unique Reference Number 03 April 2007 Inspection date Jill Steer 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 satisfactory. 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 one child aged 21 months in the Middleton area of Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five, one of whom attends full time and another who attends on a part time basis. The childminder attends various local toddler groups. The family have one cat and one dog. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a healthy lifestyle and have many opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical activity. Daily outings to walk along the sea front, to the nearby park area where they run around and use the apparatus to develop their muscle control and co-ordination or to the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 village pond to feed the ducks provides children with fresh air. Time spent at the childminder’s home includes opportunities for children to run around in the garden, ensuring this is not until there is adequate shade from the sun. Indoors children greatly enjoy climbing in and out of the large car and pushing along the brick trolley, whilst babies confidently practise walking by pulling themselves up on the furniture.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a suitable understanding of the need for good hygiene practices around the home. However, she has not yet introduced the children to regular daily self-care routines such as washing themselves before and after eating. This does not help them learn the importance of independent good personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of nutrition and works with the parents to ensure children receive a healthy balanced diet. Parents provide full details of the children’s dietary needs such as being intolerant to certain foods. The childminder then adapts the healthy, balanced menu to ensure they receive the correct food for their needs. Children are constantly reminded to drink from their own cups, which are always available to them, ensuring they remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children like to play in the bright and comfortable environment created by the childminder where they are able to relax and feel at home. They move around freely and develop their confidence by independently choosing what to play with from the very good quality resources stored on the floor in boxes. The resources are well maintained to ensure children continue to play safely; they are encouraged to put things away, ready for next time, when they have finished their game. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse and child protection issues. She knows the procedure to follow to report her concerns in order to safeguard the children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most hazards have been identified and addressed in the childminder's home, in order to keep children safe. For example, smoke alarms and stair gates have been fitted. However, although a fire blanket is in place, it has not been fitted to enable it to be used quickly in the event of a fire. The garden is fully enclosed to allow children to enjoy playing safely and the childminder checks it is clean following the pets being outside. However, the hosepipe is left on the ground causing a hazard to children and adults. Children are closely supervised on outings, they are strapped securely into the buggy, or take turns to walk along wearing reins. Suitable car seats have been fitted so car journeys are enjoyed safely and the childminder takes precautions to ensure their safety when getting in and out of the car, particularly in small car parks. For example, she places the buggy safely on the grass verge away from moving cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are recognised and responded to by the childminder. For example, she ensures babies are suitably occupied, providing them with appropriate opportunities to pull themselves up and walk around the furniture as they are learning to walk. She responds warmly to them, mimicking the sounds they make and introducing them to appropriate language. The childminder makes effective use of Birth to three matters to extend and develop her practice with the youngest children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are confident and relaxed as they happily play, while the childminder is close by to provide support and encouragement. They have developed warm and caring relationships which gives children the confidence to explore their environment, reassured that the childminder is always close at hand to offer support. For example, she makes sure there is space on her lap for all the children to sit cosily together and enjoy her read their favourite story of ‘We are going on a bear hunt’.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A balanced and well planned day ensures children experience a wide range of activities which meet all their individual needs. The daily planning is flexible, to allow for children's changing and varied needs. It includes time for rests when required, indoor activities and games and local outings. Visits to local toddler groups enables young children to socialise with their peers whilst they benefit from a wider range of resources and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well with the childminder as she manages them consistently. She provides clear guidelines on sharing and taking turns so all children have the same opportunities and develop good relationships and friendships. The childminder constantly reinforces their good behaviour with praise and encouragement. Children are able to grow in confidence and develop self esteem as they learn about co-operation with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's attitude towards diversity helps children learn to be tolerant and respectful. Walks and outings help children to learn about the local community, but there are very few images and resources available for children to see positive images of diversity within the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to settle confidently in the care of the childminder as they observe her friendly partnership with their parents. Information is shared each day through recording what they have done in a daily diary, which ensures children's needs are effectively met and they are treated as individuals which makes them feel valued. Children's additional needs are identified and the childminder ensures any specific individual requirements are well supported. The childminder understands the importance of adapting the service she provides, to include the support needed for all children's individual development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is well organised. All the relevant information is obtained by the childminder to ensure their individual needs and care routines are fully met. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home, which is a bright and comfortable environment with sufficient space for children to play together. They can access the resources independently as the childminder stores them at low level so children make their own choices.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended the required training and is currently undertaking further childcare training to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare which will further enhance the service she provides for children and their families. Completion of a paediatric first aid course ensures the children's safety in the case of accident or injury and child protection to safeguard the wellbeing of the children. The childminder is well organised and maintains an efficient record keeping system which is confidentially stored. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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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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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 satisfactory. 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 fire blanket is correctly fitted • ensure children have access to a good range of resources which show positive images of diversity • improve daily routines and procedures to help children learn about good personal hygiene

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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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