Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274510 Unique Reference Number 25 June 2007 Inspection date Elaine Simmons 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 first registered in Hertfordshire in September 2002. She currently lives with her husband and two children in a detached house in Worthing. Close to the sea front, local shops, parks, schools and pre schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are three children cared for over the course of the week two children attend before and after school and during the school holidays. One child attends during the day on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a clean, tidy and homely environment. She promotes good hygiene routines with the children. They are reminded to wash their hands after toileting and before eating or commencing cooking activities. She provides liquid soap, wet wipes, and hand cleaning

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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 gel, although the childminder ensures a clean hand towel is available daily, children use the same towel to dry their hands and this could increase the spread of infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has good procedures in place for when children are sick. She has suitable procedures to record accidents and the administration of any medication required. However, she has not recorded any accidents since August 2005, when an accident required hospital treatment, for a child in her care. Although the accident was correctly dealt with the childminder failed to inform Ofsted and as a consequence breached regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are given good opportunities for physical play. They walk to and from school and are able to play in the childminder's secure rear garden. She takes children to the park and to the beach and sea front for walks and this supports children's physical health successfully.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered home cooked nutritious and healthy meals by the childminder. She ensures they have fruit and vegetables every day to support their good health. Children are encouraged to try new vegetables and meals. The childminder does not generally offer snacks between meals as she prefers the children to eat a substantial lunch or dinner to encourage healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder's safe and secure home. She provides a welcoming environment where they feel relaxed and settled. Children have access to the whole of the house except for two bedrooms upstairs. Although, the childminder does minimise hazards to children by keeping these doors shut to prevent access. The children could still gain entry and this could impact on their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a good, varied, range of clean, safe, toys and resources to meet the ages and needs of the children attending. They are stored so that they can access them independently. The childminder buys toys from reputable toy manufacturers and retail outlets to ensure the toys are suitable and safe for the children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains good safety procedures within her home. The rear garden is secure and provides sufficient space for children to play. She teaches children good road safety strategies when walking with the children to and from school and when on outings. The children have ample safety seats available for their use in her car. The childminder further protects the children by her clear understanding of all safeguarding children procedures and her understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. As a consequence children's welfare is effectively supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children who are cared for after school, are with the childminder for a short period of time. They enjoy playing badminton in the garden, when weather permits, and join in playing other games together. They arrange talent competitions between themselves and relax and unwind by watching children's television programmes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children who attend during the day enjoy the childminder's involvement with them. She willingly sits as children pretend to play hairdressers, using their imagination, as they plat

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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 her hair and pretend to rub in gel and other hair products. Children benefit from her support as they complete puzzles and construct using Lego bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children to the park and involves them in shopping excursions where they can become involved in choosing the vegetables and fruit that they have to eat. She plans outings for the children during the school holidays. They go for picnics, and fly kites on the beach. She also plans trips to the sea life centre and to play ten pin bowling. Providing them with interesting activities that are suitable for the varied age group that she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have a good range of toys and resources, that are provided by the childminder, they reflect the diversity of the modern world in which we live. She meets children's individual needs effectively by creating an environment where they can feel confident to express their feelings and needs. She treats children as individuals; and endeavours to get to know them so that she can find out their preferences; and also by obtaining information from their parents when they first start. She has some understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and is willing to work with parents and other professionals to meet their needs appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well because the childminder has good behaviour management strategies. She has basic rules that the children understand. She uses praise and encouragement all the time and gives children good explanations so that they understand why the behaviour is wrong. The parents are given some written information about her childminding service. The childminder works to build good rapport with parents and exchanges information with them to keep them informed of their child's day and to ensure the children are cared for successfully.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are well cared for in the childminder's home. She provides constant supervision to ensure they are safe at all times. The childminder understand the adult to child ratios and ensures these are adhered to meeting her registration successfully. The childminder has most required written parental permission in place. However, although she has written permission for children to travel in a vehicle, she has not obtained permission for children to go on outings and this does not meet the National Standards. She maintains ample details about the children and takes good steps to make sure their personal details and all documentation is kept confidential and secure. Most documentation is up to date and in order and kept in well organised files for easy reference. 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 previous Children Act inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that low-level glass panels in the cabinet are safe or inaccessible to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has moved house and the cabinet has been disposed of and as a consequence children's safety is well maintained

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Improvements 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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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

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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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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): • minimise hazards by ensuring designated bedrooms are made inaccessible to children • minimise the spread of infections when drying hands and develop an understanding of reporting any significant incidents to Ofsted. • ensure parents give written permission for children to go on outings

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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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