Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY298242 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Alison Weaver 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and one year. They live in a house in a residential area in Stone Cross, on the outskirts of Eastbourne. The whole of the ground floor, two upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom are used for childminding. Part of the fully enclosed garden is available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one pre-school child. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well-maintained environment. They learn about good personal hygiene through effective everyday routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The use of individual towels and separate beakers helps prevent cross infection. Young children get used to the idea of the importance of brushing their teeth after meals. They learn about looking after their teeth when they visit the Dental Health team

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 with the childminder. Effective hygiene practices adopted by the childminder, such as for the changing of nappies, contribute to keeping children healthy. A clear sick child policy, good accident procedures and the childminder's up-to-date first aid training means that she can act in the best interest of children should they become poorly or have an accident.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating through some of the meals and snacks the childminder provides. Fruit is available on a daily basis and snack lunches are healthy and nutritious. The childminder offers cooked meals but some of these are processed. However, she ensures that she supplements these with healthy items such as fresh vegetables. She also provides puddings of fruit and yoghurt. Access to regular drinks helps children keep their bodies hydrated. Younger children are taught to use the sign for drink so that they can easily indicate when they are thirsty. Children are helped to understand about what foods are healthy through planned activities such as special shopping trips and cooking.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Physical activities and opportunities for fresh air are a regular feature of the day. The childminder includes physical skills in her planned themes for the children. She actively promotes the development of younger children's mobility and manipulative skills. The children make good use of the garden to play and develop their physical skills. The childminder ensures that children can also rest as needed. Children’s emotional well being is promoted very effectively with young children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised home where risks are minimised effectively. The child friendly home means that they can play free from harm and safely develop their independence. As children grow and develop, the childminder adjusts the safety precautions. This continual assessment of risks ensures children remain safe in her care at all times. Toys and resources are stored appropriately, well maintained and clean so that children can play safely. Older children are able to play safely with their toys away from the younger children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures for the collection of children and the childminder’s very good knowledge of child protection procedures contribute to the safeguarding of children. The childminder has a very detailed fire evacuation plan where she has clearly thought through what to do if there was a fire. She also has working smoke alarms and an accessible fire blanket to help keep children safe. The childminder has an emergency plan in place in the event of a minded child having a serious accident to help ensure all children are cared for.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear procedures for outings to help keep children safe whilst in her care; for example, appropriate child restraints are used, emergency contacts are in place and a first aid kit is taken on outings. The childminder ensures that all car seats are compatible with her car. Children learn how to cross roads safely and about the need to be aware of stranger danger.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy, settled and confident. They make themselves at home and freely approach adults. They become very independent and make their own choices from an excellent range of toys and activities that are stimulating and offer appropriate challenge to them. There are plenty of sensory experiences for the younger children. They have fun pressing buttons and making the toys play different sounds. They love to make music with the instruments and

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 watch the beads roll around. The childminder encourages them to explore different textures, for example, as they look at feely books together and go on nature walks. She uses excellent questioning with the children to help them think about what they are doing and feeling.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their play in a caring and loving environment where they are valued as important individuals. The childminder builds excellent close, caring relationships with the children and knows them really well. The childminder provides excellent support to the children with limited vocabulary. She teaches them simple signing so that they are able to communicate their feelings and needs to her easily. As a result, children thrive in her care. She helps children improve their language skills by talking to them and promoting their speech. The children’s self-esteem develops in the atmosphere of continual praise and encouragement.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder acts as a very positive role model by showing enthusiasm as she joins in the play with the children. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children and supporting them in their play. The childminder plans activities, outings and themes that take into account the stages of development and interests of the children. As they have fun, the children develop and learn new skills, such as counting, naming objects and colours. The childminder keeps very good records of what children can do. She uses these tracker books very effectively to plan the next steps for children’s development and learning. This exceptional practice ensures that each child develops well and achieves whilst in her care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted by the use of a good range of resources, which show positive images of diversity. However, they do not have access to many resources that show disability. The childminder talks to the children about differences in a positive way. The childminder does not have any experience of working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities but is fully aware of the need to work closely with parents to provide appropriate care for these children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works effectively with parents to meet children’s individual needs. She makes very good use of her ‘Getting to know you’ form where she finds out a wide range of information about each child. This gives her a very useful outline of each child’s abilities, routines and interests so that she can help settle them in and give them good care. The daily care diaries are used very effectively to communicate with parents. All significant information is recorded, including what children achieve each day. They exchange information with each other so that they can provide consistent care and support for each child.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive praise and encouragement given by the childminder. The children behave well and respond positively to the childminder. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them. She teaches young children to share and take turns as they play. She deals with any incidents in a calm manner and praises the children when they begin to share their books with each other. Children learn to take responsibility for themselves as they tidy up after finishing an activity.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children benefit from a well-organised environment and day. The planned themes enable children to develop and achieve. They receive a very good level of adult supervision, which helps them feel secure and settled. All the relevant and required documents are in place and well maintained. The records help support the care of children and comply with regulations. The childminder has a variety of helpful written information and detailed policies for parents to give them a good overall understanding of the service she offers. It also helps promote consistency of care for the child.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is very keen and enthusiastic, showing a commitment to improving her knowledge by attending ongoing training such as courses on food safety, child protection and Birth to three matters. The childminder continually reviews and develops her childcare practices and the care she provides for minded children. One of the ways she does this is by making effective use of feedback questionnaires with parents. In the short time she has been minding, she has reviewed and altered her use of reports on each child’s achievements and the tracker books to ensure that she is making effective use of her records of progress with parents.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • increase the resources that show positive images of disability.

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 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.6