Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232360 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Lisa Jane Cupples 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a residential area on the outskirts of Chichester, West Sussex. The premises are within walking distance of local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with additional facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a cat and three Guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines and discussion. For example, children are actively encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times and

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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 talk about washing away the germs. The childminder implements good hygiene procedures to promote the children's health effectively. She washes all fruit before preparing it for snack, ensures all the surfaces are clean and encourages the children to sit down at the table, when they are eating to prevent them from choking.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the procedures and required record-keeping regarding accidents and the administration of medication. The records are detailed and the parents sign to acknowledge the entries. The childminder has also obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice, further promoting the children's health. Children will receive immediate and appropriate treatment if an accident occurs on the premises because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an extremely flexible approach to providing snacks and meals for the children. She is happy to provide a wide range of healthy and nutritious food, or the parents can provide for their own children if they choose to. The childminder also provides sample menus for the parents so they can see what meals she is planning to make for the children, helping to keep them informed. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating and often talk about what types of food are good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample opportunities to develop their large muscle skills through a wide range of physical activities. They learn to move over and through equipment as the childminder sets up a small obstacle course in the garden. Children giggle as they go through the tunnel and up the ladder to the slide. They ride wheeled toys with confidence and manoeuvre them with ease. Children's hand to eye co-ordination is developing well as the children fill the toy tractor trailer with sand, using spades. Children reap the benefits of the fresh air daily because the childminder ensures they play in the garden, go for walks or visit the local park, helping the children to burn off their excess energy and enabling them to settle down to purposeful activities inside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are clean and well-maintained, providing a safe and welcoming environment for the children. The rooms are brightly decorated and the childminder makes good use of the space available. Children are able to move around freely as they play, building their confidence and self-esteem effectively. Children have access to an extensive range of play materials and resources suitable for their age, stage of development and understanding. The toys are stored in low-level plastic boxes and children are able to self-select their activities, developing their independence and freedom of choice. The resources are stored in the hallway and in the lounge. The children know where everything is and they are able to help themselves. The childminder encourages the children to tidy away after themselves so they don't fall over and hurt themselves. The resources are clean and well-maintained. The childminder has good systems

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in place to monitor the cleanliness of the toys, providing a safe play environment for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through daily routines and discussions. For example, the children know they must not run inside the house and they ensure toys are not left scattered on the floor. However, children do not practise fire drills to ensure they know what to do in an emergency. Children's safety is promoted because the childminder is vigilant. She recognises and removes potential hazards to children. For example, all cleaning fluids are stored away

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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 from the children, plug sockets are covered and sharp implements are inaccessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has copies of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures which she shares with parents, to inform them about her responsibilities towards protecting the children. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow and would recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. All existing injuries and incidents are recorded in detail and parents sign to acknowledge the entries. The childminder would contact the relevant agencies if she had concerns about the children in her care, helping to safeguard them effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled. They chat about what they have been doing and excitedly explain all the things they are going to do later in the day. The childminder interacts exceptionally well with the children, joining in their games and encouraging them to use their imaginations fully. They pretend to be farmers as they transport the sand in the tractor during outside play; they also play shops and pretend to cook food for their picnic barbeque in the lounge. Children take part in an extensive range of activities which are aimed at their age and stage of development. They enjoy colouring and the childminder praises their wonderful work. She asks if the children are taking it home with them. They are able to choose whether to take their work home or put it up on the wall in the childminder's house where it is displayed for the parents and visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn the names of musical instruments as they play them in the lounge. They talk about the different sounds they make and how they work. For example, they look at the different whistles, some with finger holes for making the notes and one with a slide pole to change the sounds. They laugh and giggle as they make loud and quiet noises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks to the children continually and introduces them to new words, repeating animal noises or the names of animals until the children can pronounce them, helping them to become skilful communicators and competent learners. The youngest children have ample opportunities to explore the resources and their surroundings, chatting away about what they have found or can see. The childminder responds to the children's babbling, talking to them and recognising their efforts, helping them to feel safe and secure in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of equal opportunities. All children are able to freely access the resources and are given equal time to complete activities and spend time with the childminder. Children are beginning to show consideration for others and share the resources and toys fairly. The childminder takes the time to get to know the children and their families extremely well. The childminder talks about the children's home life and other family members, helping the children to feel secure and an important part of the group. The childminder continually searches for different ways to get feedback from the children. She asks about their favourite things and has included a section on the parents surveys for the minded children to complete, making them feel involved and valued at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of working with children who have specific requirements. She works closely with the parents and is happy to liaise with other agencies to fully support all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 children in her care. The children are extremely well behaved because they know what is expected of them. The childminder implements the clear rules and boundaries consistently, so the children always receive the same messages. The children are fully occupied and engaged which has a positive impact on the children's behaviour. The childminder is a positive role model for the children. She is polite and respectful when talking to them, leading by example. Children are polite and use their manners well, saying 'please and thank you' with little or no encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong relationships between the childminder and their parents. Communication is good and the childminder often asks for feedback from the parents to enable her to continually improve the service she provides for them. Information about the children is shared verbally on arrival and at collection time, helping the childminder to provide care which is consistent with home. The childminder keeps a written daily record for the parents of children under school age. The information includes, diet, sleep patterns, activities and general well-being, helping to keep the parents fully informed at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are fully occupied and engaged with many play opportunities during their time at the setting, as the childminder organises the daily routines and layout of the rooms well. Children's health, safety and well-being is promoted effectively because all of the required documentation is in place, up-to-date and shared with parents. Children benefit from a well-organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment, where they are protected by sound procedures, most of which are implemented effectively by the childminder. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because resources and activities are planned well and the days are full and run smoothly. The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration, the inspection process and keeping children safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop a range of resources to promote positive images of ethnicity, culture and disability. She was also asked to request written permission from parents, for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, and provide them with details of Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint. Children now have access to a range of play materials and resources which reflect the society we live in. There are posters of positive images displayed around the walls and toys which reflect diversity, helping the children to develop an understanding of the world around them. The childminder has written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in place from all the parents, promoting the children's good heath. She has also developed a written complaints procedure which is shared with the parents and includes the contact details for Ofsted.

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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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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 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 the children practise regular fire drills so they know what to do in an emergency.

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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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