Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342196 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2007 Inspection date June Fielden 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 two children aged four and one in Pound Hill, Crawley. The whole of the downstairs of the Childminder's house is used for childminding plus the first floor 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 full-time. She walks to the local shops and parks and regularly attends a toddler group. The family have a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a friendly, welcoming environment. There is an appropriate sickness policy in place, and parents are contacted if children are taken ill while in the childminder's care. She has suitable hygiene routines, which include providing children with a separate flannel and towel, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Children have been taught to ask for a tissue when they want to blow their nose, to prevent the spread of infection. However, 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 childminder does not always ensure that children wash their hands before eating their snack, which impacts on their health. Also, she has not obtained written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, which affects their welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are regularly offered drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder provides all food for minded children, and has sample menus for parents. The meals offered to children are mainly cooked from fresh ingredients, and include a mixture of healthy dishes and food children particularly enjoy. The childminder considers the nutritional needs of children when preparing food, and tries to include vegetables in all meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children exercise in the childminder's garden, strengthening their muscles on the equipment provided. They keep fit during regular walks to local parks and visits to a toddler group, where they socialise with other children. They are also taken on visits to places of interest with the childminder. If children are tired they can rest on the sofa in the playroom, and there is a travel cot available for younger children to sleep in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from having a playroom specifically for their use, with the furniture arranged in a manner which allows maximum space for them to play. Children move around freely in this room, selecting what they wish to play with, as the majority of resources are easily accessible to them. There is a broad range of toys and equipment suitable for all children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective measures are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder has devised an emergency escape plan, and smoke alarms are fitted on each floor, to protect children from harm in the event of a fire. She carries out regular risk assessments, and broken toys are discarded. The childminder has placed a gate across the entrance to the playroom, to prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen. She holds children by the hand when taking them for walks, and has obtained written permission to transport them in a vehicle. However, there is currently a minor hazard in the dining area, as there are some wires hanging within children's reach, which impacts on their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the signs of abuse to look for. She has the appropriate literature to provide her with guidance on child protection, and will record any worries she has about children in her care. Her concerns will be reported to the appropriate authority when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are given a choice of activities, and if they run out of ideas, the childminder suggests games which she knows they enjoy playing. The childminder participates in children's play, extending activities for them. For example, she acts as the cashier when they play shops, and gets the children to count out the coins for their purchases. The childminder asks children the colours of the food they buy in their shop, to check their understanding of the names of the different shades. She engages them in conversation to extend their vocabulary, questioning them about the less familiar items, such as the croissants.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show an interest in books, and choose the ones they want the childminder to read to them. They sit next to her on the settee, so that they can see the page she is reading, and follow the story through the pictures. Children are encouraged to take control of the activity

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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 themselves, and use the pictures to tell the story. The childminder talks to children about the books they look at, and finds toys linked to them for children to play with, to bring the story to life. She carries out cooking activities with children, and involves them in art and craft tasks, enabling them to use their imagination and develop their creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats minded children in the same manner as members of her own family, and tries to give them all some individual attention. She has suitable resources to promote children's understanding of culture, gender and disability. If minding children with learning difficulties or disabilities she will adapt activities to meet their needs. The childminder will integrate children by ensuring that they can all participate in everything that is being offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's progress with the childminder at the end of the day. Children also take home anything they have made with the childminder, so that parents can see the activities they have been engaged in. Parents are aware that they can telephone the childminder at any time if there is something they wish to discuss with her. If children behave inappropriately the childminder will explain what they have done wrong. If the misbehaviour continues the parents will be informed, so that they can work together to resolve the issue. The childminder settles children's disputes quickly, before they turn into arguments. She leads by example, and as a result children are generally well mannered. Appropriate behaviour is promoted by praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's safety is ensured when visitors are present, as the childminder checks their identification, and remains with children at all times. Her register is suitably completed, and her certificate of registration is on display, to inform parents of the conditions under which she operates. Children's records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality, and available to a child's parents on request. The childminder has informed parents of her complaints procedure, and has the poster informing them how Ofsted can be contacted on display. However, her procedure does not contain sufficient detail to make parents aware of how any concerns they may wish to raise will be handled by the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder has a folder of information for new parents, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. This includes her policies, qualifications and insurance details. 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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): • Obtain written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children • ensure appropriate hand washing routines are in place • ensure all wires are inaccessible to children • provide parents with more detailed information on the complaints procedure, so that they are aware of the timescale for resolving complaints, and that they need to be in writing.

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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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