Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY253955 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 Inspection date Lisa Toole Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and two in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. The majority of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 six children under eight on a part-time basis. She also minds children over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is appropriately supported and promoted by the childminder. She provides them with a clean and well maintained environment and her good nappy changing procedures adequately reduce risks of infection to children. Children learn about the importance of keeping

p.2

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 healthy and are encouraged to wash their hands as part of their daily routine to get rid of germs. However, they do not always have access to individual towels for hand drying and this has some impact on their health and hygiene. The mandatory accident and medication records are all in place and the childminder maintains an appropriate first aid certificate. All of these contribute to safeguarding the children's welfare.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from receiving snacks such as fresh fruit and are offered a good range of nutritious and well balanced meals; this encourages them to develop healthy eating habits. They also have access to regular drinks, helping them stay hydrated throughout the day. Snack and meal times are valued and enable children to develop important social skills as they sit and chat and also learn about important table manners.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's good approach to healthy living also follows through into the children's physical development. They have daily physical exercise and play in the garden with a good range of equipment such as a slide, trampoline, balls and tricycles. They also visit local parks and play grounds, go on short walks and visit the local farm.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment where there is a good amount of clear floor space for them to move and play freely. The children use a good range of toys and resources, which are stimulating and appropriate for their age and developmental needs. All resources are kept clean, in good condition and are easily accessible to enable children to make their own decisions about what they do and play with. This also successfully promotes children's developing independence and their desire to explore and investigate.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. All necessary consents and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, including written procedures for lost children and regarding the alternative collection of children. The childminder takes action to ensure children are safe whilst in her care, through identifying possible risks or hazards and putting safety precautions in place, such as cupboard catches and safety gates. Children also learn important messages about road safety when out on walks while younger children are securely strapped into the buggy.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded regarding child protection because the childminder has a thorough understanding of her role, responsibilities and potential signs and symptoms of child abuse. She informs parents of these responsibilities, provides them with written information provided by the Local Authority and this helps them understand her role in the protection of children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the friendly atmosphere created in the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well and she uses regular daily routines that take account of their needs, such as mealtimes, and rest times as part of the structure to the children's day. She interacts positively with the children, giving them plenty of comfort and reassurance whilst also supporting them as they play, asking questions and stimulating their communication skills. As a result, they are developing a sound sense of trust and security whilst also gaining in confidence and self esteem.

p.3

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 enjoy a good and balanced range of activities which support their learning across all key areas of development. The general kinds of activities they enjoy include cooking, art and craft activities such as collage and painting, playing with musical instruments, singing and sharing stories. The childminder also takes children to the park, to the local farm and has taken them to Shoreham airport, which encourages their interest in the wider world. She also takes children to different toddler groups, which encourages their social skills and their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers. Older children also enjoy their time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their interests.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to develop a secure sense of belonging while in the childminder's care because she values them as individuals with their own needs and treats them with equal concern and respect. They are all able to access a full range of activities and equipment, regardless of their gender. They can also play with a good range of equipment which reflects positive images of ethnicity and diversity, in order to learn about equality and the world around them. The childminder takes advantage of opportunities during settling-in visits to find out as much as possible about each child, their likes and individual care needs to enable her to care for them appropriately. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to support children with additional learning difficulties and disabilities, in particular the need to work collaboratively with parents and to adapt activities to their particular ability and stage of development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's achievements are recognised and praised through positive reinforcement. Appropriate strategies are also used to deal with any incidents of negative behaviour, such as giving clear messages about expectations and using distraction with the youngest children. This helps children learn about right and wrong and, in turn, helps foster their confidence and self esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good relationship with the parents, keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue and a written diary for some of the younger children. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. She has a range of well presented written policies and procedures that are effective in informing parents of the care and provision offered. She makes use of questionnaires to gauge how parents feel about the care she provides and uses any comments made to further develop her practice and promote the children's welfare further.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach which benefits the children in her care. The atmosphere is one that is calm and happy, where children feel welcome and secure. They are able to enjoy a good range of interesting activities, move around and play freely and use a wide variety of equipment to support their developmental needs and interests.

p.4

Organisation

The welfare and safety of the children is important to the childminder; the correct ratios are maintained at all times and she has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities. Systems for keeping children's records are well organised and used effectively to promote children's well-being and ensure they are cared for in line with their parents' wishes.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set one recommendation. This related to the equipment available to transport young children. Since the last inspection the childminder has a buggy board to help young children while they are on outings around the local area.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • consider ways to reduce risks of cross infection regarding hand washing.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5