Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY234354 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 2002 in the family home which is shared with her husband and two children, one of whom attends school. The house is situated in a residential area in the village of Barnham and is within walking distance of the shops and the station.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children play on the ground floor only and an upstairs bedroom is used for sleeping younger children. Both front and rear gardens are enclosed and available for children to play outside. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and has increased her knowledge of child care by gaining the Cache level 3 certificate in Childminding Practice. She also has a current certificate in first aid training.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is regularly involved in parent and toddler groups, she attends a singing class locally with children and is a member of the Bognor childminding network. The childminder is currently caring for six children during the course of a week.

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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 good. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own personal care because the childminder reminds them about using the toilet and washing hands afterwards. She provides individual towels in the ground floor toilet and each child has their own flannel. Children have their nappies changed on the floor using a changing mat which is hygienically sterilised between use and their nappies are checked frequently. Children's wet clothes are changed promptly when they have been playing in the water trough outside and the childminder ensures that they are comfortable and clean when they go for a sleep. Children sleep in a travel cot on the first floor and individual bedding is provided. Older children learn about protecting their skin from the sun because they have sun cream applied and the childminder talks about how long they can stay in the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is fully maintained because all accident records are thoroughly completed and signed by parents. The childminder has a current certificate in first aid training and a well stocked first aid kit is stored safety with other medication in the home. Children's medication records are noted in their individual folders and all parental permission relating to medication is in place. Parents are fully informed about following the routines for sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children keenly eat fruit and crackers for snacks. They are provided with regular drinks, especially the toddlers who are thirsty when they wake up. Older children eagerly have cake as well, because they made the cakes the day before. The childminder varies the food that is offered and she is aware that older children need more substantial snacks when they return from school at the end of the day. A menu is displayed in the entrance area for parents and this includes information about any allergies. The childminder mostly provides meals using fresh ingredients because the family like to grow vegetables and involve all the children in the preparation and harvesting. Children happily sit together to put fillings in their own wraps, they practise and learn to manage these at lunch time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to be active and they have opportunities to go for bike rides; all older children bring their helmets and younger children have ride on toys. They go for regular walks, locally and often walk to the shops. The childminder takes the younger children swimming during the week when she has extra help.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe within the child centred environment because the childminder is very alert to what children are doing and she spends all her time with the them. She has written risk assessments and she constantly manages any risks by reminding children during their play, to shut the stair gate and not to run indoors, in case they bang their toes. The family home is busy and some items have been left on the stairs and these could present a hazard to children. The house rules are displayed and some are included to ensure children's safety, for example, older children know that they can play with smaller items and special toys behind the stair gate to prevent the toddlers from accessing these. There is ample play equipment, readily available for children to access themselves.

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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 Security is well maintained because the front garden gate is bolted on the outside and the rear garden has high fences and is secure. There are written procedures in place to inform parents of the routines for safety. A fire plan is included and the childminder practises a fire drill every half term; all fire equipment is in place. Children are transported by car and full permission is gained from parents; all car documentation is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully prioritised because the childminder has attended child protection training recently to consolidate her knowledge of the local safeguarding procedures. Up to date information is available and the childminder knows that it is her responsibility to contact other agencies. She has a thorough knowledge and understanding of child protection and she is prepared to record any concerns; she is also prepared to record any injuries that children have on arrival.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are relaxed and fully at home with the childminder and her family, they are happy and settled because they know the daily routines and they also know that the childminder is with them at all times; she concentrates fully on their needs. Children readily share their play equipment with visiting friends for a short while, they are confident and used to socialising. They can all access very suitable resources from around the room and in the kitchen where older children are spontaneously making a small cinema from a cardboard box. They say it is for their toy dogs and they have drawn pictures for the screen. Children competently use scissors and sellotape to construct and create their cinema, they plan and negotiate their ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are entirely interested, involved and encouraged to extend their play at all times because the childminder is available and involved with them. She suggests ideas and offers attention when children need help, she is fully aware of their level of play and their well being. Children watch television for a short time only whilst having their snacks and then they are encouraged to cut out bicycle pictures to link with the transport theme. They talk about the pictures and choose which ones they will include. Children sit together to cut and stick the pictures. They often have planned themes and the childminder includes outings and visits to link with these; she has ordered the bicycle catalogue especially for the children to use. Children have watched tadpoles change into frogs and they have drawn and painted pictures at different stages; they learned about releasing the tadpoles once they had become frogs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children play in the water trough outside. They pour and dribble the water, they use spoons and containers to move the water and they enjoy getting wet and being outside. The childminder adds warm water and bubbles for the older children when the younger ones are sleeping; she is dedicated to ensuring their warmth and comfort and changes their clothes diligently. Children learn to make puzzles and the childminder explains how to match the pieces with the picture. She gives children ample praise when they fit pieces together. The childminder plans the lunch and includes this as an activity for the older children. She asks the children which fillings they would like for the wraps and they all sit together to practise making their own lunch. Younger children are instantly collected when they wake from their sleep and the childminder gives them time to wake before lunch is offered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, she observes younger children's play and assesses their development using charts to confirm and date their achievements. These records are available in individual folders for children and they are shared with parents. The childminder listens to children and values what they say, she

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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 continually explains and provides children with information about what will happen next, the children learn that they will go out for a walk after lunch and visit the nearby shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to learn about differences and to value these, because the childminder has a good understanding of the need to reflect positive images of society in the play equipment. She borrows items from the local toy library for children to use in their pretend play, these include cooking equipment from other cultures and traditional dressing up clothes. Children have dolls from other nationalities and they sometimes celebrate wider cultural festivals. They have stories from around the world and books which provide non-stereo typical images. The childminder is willing to adapt any care routines to manage children's individual needs, she has experience of caring for children and has learned to understand basic sign language which she has used to enable children to make progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Older children are learning to understand acceptable behaviour because the childminder explains well when they do not always see each other's point of view. She reminds them to include please and thank you frequently during the conversations and routines of the day. Children happily agree to share the fruit when they are informed that there is only one peach and one pear; they readily say they will have half each. Children are praised well for managing, especially at lunch time and for their concentration and effort during activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and secure with the childminder because there are sound relationships in place with parents. All documentation to support the individual child care arrangements is complete and available for inspection. The childminder has a full understanding of the regulations and she has developed a clear complaints procedure. She encourages all parents to read the policies and procedures that have been formulated since first becoming registered; she records their agreement to all areas of care. Children have individual folders of their progress and their daily achievements, and these are taken home every time they attend. The childminder has a folder of references from parents and letters to expressed their gratitude for the childminder's dedicated care and attention.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children have dedicated care because the childminder has created a relaxed child centred environment where she is constantly aware of their needs. She interacts with children continually and plans for their play, she suggests ideas and encourages their involvement; she likes to have her time organised around their routines. She has developed a thorough portfolio and includes clear information for parents with proof of clearances and suitability, she has all required documentation with parents to meet the requirements.

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Organisation

The registration certificate is displayed in the entrance area for parents and the notice board also contains up to date information from Ofsted. There is information about house rules, activities, meals and snacks and special ideas for holiday play, including the theme of transport. A fully up to date register shows all times of children's attendance. The childminder has successfully increased her level of qualification during the last year and a certificate to show that she has attained a Cache level 3 course in Childminding Practice is available. She has also recognised the need to update her knowledge of child protection and has attended extra

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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 training since the last inspection. The childminder has all certificates to show her qualifications and levels of training attended since becoming registered.

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Organisation

There are close links with the local Early Years network and the childminder has detailed records in place to show every visit from the development worker; full assessments written about the provision are available. The childminder also has a folder of all correspondence with Ofsted and has previously notified Ofsted of changes within the home. She fully understands the responsibilities of her registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her knowledge and understanding of the Code of Practice for the identification of special educational needs. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Code of Practice and has read and identified the framework. She uses this to enhance her knowledge and is prepared to meet any learning difficulties of individual children.

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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 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 that items on the stairs do not present a hazard to children

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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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