Childminder in West SussexOfsted inspection, 29 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 113856 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Elaine Simmons

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1984. She lives with her husband and two adult children. She is registered for 6 children under eight years. They live in a house within walking distance of local park's and school's in Burgess Hill. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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 The childminder helps to run the local toy library, attending this and a carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment provided by the childminder, where they are happy and content. The childminder is warm and friendly she takes positive steps to ensure good health and safety requirements are maintained, this helps children to feel welcome and secure. Children are taught good hygiene routines by the childminder, they are able to access the toilet facilities by themselves, teaching them to be independent. She uses good procedures to protect children, by providing individual hand towels, protecting them from illness by stopping the spread of infection. Children's individual needs are met by the childminder, she is aware of their dietary needs and allergies. She works with parents to provide children with nutritious drinks and snacks and when requested suitable meals. This ensures children's good health. Children are taken to local parks and physical activity centres by the childminder, she

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Helping children to be healthy

provides suitable toys for play in her garden which promotes children's physical well being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and safe in the childminder's secure home. She has good safety procedures in place which enables children to move freely and independently within defined areas on the ground floor. Children are taught good road safety procedures by the childminder and she ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. This helps safeguard children's welfare. The children have access to a plentiful, varied selection of clean and safe toys, provided by the childminder. They are able to access the toys easily and these are suitable for the varying age group attending, which provide children with fun and enjoyment, this also contributes towards their learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and requirements, subsequently children's well being is maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with the toys and resources available, for example the childminder had planned and prepared a shop as an activity. The children had a till

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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 and other toys were displayed on a table, to sell in the shop. The childminder cut up paper to make paper money for the till, which the child decorated and then counted out the notes to the childminder, promoting mathematical thinking. The childminder also helped the older child to negotiate with the younger child who wanted to play with a toy being used for sale, teaching the older child to be considerate of other children's feelings and helping them both to share and play happily along side each other. The childminder used lots of praise and encouragement with the children building their self esteem. Children are given a variety of activities to increase their confidence and to help them socialise. The childminder understands their individual needs and plans activities accordingly, helping children to express their ideas, make

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder includes children in the planning of the day. Children are given tasks, for example one child was asked to be her memory, to remind her to buy certain fruits to use as a visual aid for a story. This enables children to feel valued and involved. The children have good resources, provided by the childminder, to help them learn about other cultures and equality of opportunity. The childminder helps at the toy library, which she attends with the children, she is able to borrow puzzles, and other resources that show diversity and disability, this teaches children about other people and the world around them. The childminder is aware of the children's individual needs she uses separate rooms in her home to enable older children to play with toys and games unsuitable for the younger children, helping to avoid conflict and to maintain safety. Children with particular health needs are cared for with understanding, the childminder works with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their parents and ensures good communication is maintained, so that the child receives appropriate care. The children behave well, the childminder has good behaviour management techniques, she ensures the children are within her sight or hearing at all times; provides suitable activities to keep them interested and occupied, which contributes to the children behaving well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home so that children can access resources easily and move freely and safely under her supervision. This helps ensure children's needs are met effectively. Children's records and all relevant documentation are well organised and stored in files for easy reference. However the childminder has not sought parents permission to obtain emergency medical treatment or advice as a consequence children's welfare is not fully safeguarded. The childminder has a

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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 current first aid certificate and overall she meets the needs, of the range of children cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder had been asked to develop knowledge of current Area Child Protection Committee Procedures; ensure all persons aged over 16 years in the household are vetted; ensure children are not exposed to hazards from uncovered sockets, glass and garden equipment; ensure public liability insurance is held and the certificate available for inspection. The childminder described a clear understanding of child protection requirements and had attended a course run by her local Church, she also has sufficient written information she can refer to. She has improved fire safety by obtaining a suitable fire blanket for the kitchen and had addressed issues of safety within the home and garden making the areas safe for children. Suitable public liability insurance is in place and parents written permission obtained for travel by car. Swimming activities are no longer undertaken and parental permission is not therefore required. All

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Improvements since the last inspection

persons over the age of sixteen years have been suitably vetted, meeting Ofsted requirements. All recommendations have been addressed to ensure children's well being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were passed to Ofsted regarding the provider allegedly transporting children in her car, using inappropriate seating restraints, due to the number of children in her car. These concerns relate to Standard 6 of the National Standards. Ofsted investigated by requesting details from the provider regarding the number of children in her care ; parental permission for travel and the method of car restraints used. The provider responded by confirming that on occasions, it had been necessary to use one seat belt to restrain 2 children and enclosed parental permission for travel. However, as a result of these findings , Ofsted have issued the provider with a warning letter due to this form of car restraint being a recognised traffic offence. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written permission, from parents, for any emergency medical treatment or advice that may be required in the future.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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