Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY218304 Inspection date 28 July 2005 Inspector Stacey Sangster

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since November 2002. She lives with her husband and their two young children in a terraced house on the outskirts of St Leonard's. The premises are close to local shops and schools, and are a short drive from the town, beach and local parks. Children are cared for on the ground floor of the premises. They use the lounge/diner, downstairs toilet and garden. The childminder currently has seven children on roll and all are cared for on a

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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 part-time basis. The childminder is a member of The Children Come First network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are able to play in a warm, clean and hygienic environment. The childminders hygiene practices, of cleaning and clearing up as she goes along, help to minimise health risks to children. Older children learn about how to protect themselves from infection and are given appropriate guidance about matters including simple first aid, for example, how to treat bites and cuts. This enables them to use their knowledge to make healthy choices and take some responsibility for their own well being. Children's nutritional needs are appropriately met. They are provided with lunches and evening meals which are well balanced and wholesome. Children eat crisps and other snacks to boost their energy mid-morning and mid-afternoon. On the whole, snacks offered are healthy. Children with any special dietary needs have the information recorded and discussed in detail with parents. This enables the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder to meet the children's individual needs and protect them from accessing foods they may be allergic to. Children access drinks are freely and the childminder ensures that younger children have their beakers regularly topped up, this ensures that all children remain well hydrated and do not become thirsty. Children engage in some regular activities which helps develop their physical skills such as joining in with the 'CBB’s Boogie Babies' programme. The childminder identified this as an area that she needs to extend for children in order to promote exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are provided with a safe place in which to play and explore, as a result of the many precautions that the childminder takes in relation to safety. The home is well maintained, fire safety precautions are good, and the rooms arranged to provide a child safe environment. Unauthorised adults are not able to enter the premises, due to the use of a latch. Most children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised as the front door is very stiff to open and the childminder supervises children closely. However, it is not locked. Children access equipment which is of good quality and is well maintained. They can only access materials and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Toys and equipment are stored on the low level tables and shelves. This enables children to access them safely and fairly. They are able to help themselves to a wide variety of play materials independently.

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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 The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection matters. She has written guidance from Social Services which is available for her to refer to if need be. Because the childminder has recently attended child protection training, and is aware that the welfare of the children is paramount, children in her care are appropriately protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for in a child friendly, homely atmosphere. Daily routines are well-balanced giving children regular opportunities to go for outings to the beach and Park, visit groups where they can socialise with other children and follow their own individual sleeping and eating routine. Children's individual needs are very well met and the childminder uses her knowledge of what individual children enjoy doing to plan activities and daily routines. Children receive warm and affectionate care. The childminder gets to know the children well and using information gained from talking to the parents and the children, she offers care that is tailor-made to meet the individual needs of each child. Children enjoy spending time with the childminder. They approach her confidently and without hesitation for comfort, help and as a playmate. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and an understanding of how children learn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Because the childminder is attentive, caring and affectionate toward the children, they settle quickly and develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem so that they are able to relax and enjoy their play. Children make progress in all areas of the development as a result of the well-balanced range of resources provided by the childminder to promote children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with care that is adapted to their individual needs. They are encouraged to learn about each others needs and views and to respect these differences. They access a good range of resources to support this area of their learning. Children spend time playing and talking to the childminder which helps her to develop a greater knowledge of their individual likes and dislikes. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children's care needs on a regular basis. Both help the childminder to plan a routine and care package which meet the individual needs of each child. Children are able to follow their own interests and develop their skills at the pace that suits them. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development to identify any concerns about a child's progress and would share this information with the parents when necessary. As a result children with special needs would be adequately

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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 supported. Children are encouraged to understand right and wrong in a supportive and fair environment. Consistency and explanations help older children to understand why they have been asked not to do something. The childminder deals with the management of children's behaviour very well. Older children are involved in producing a simple set of house rules. By involving the children the childminder has the opportunity to discuss with them the reasons why certain behaviour is undesirable or unsafe and the children's ownership of the rules helps them to feel responsible and motivated to adhere to them. Younger children are given gentle reminders about behaviour, mostly in relation to keeping themselves safe. The childminder promotes good manners by acting as a role model and treating the children and visitors with courtesy and respect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has positive relationships with the parents of the children that she cares for. She uses contracts to ensure that both parties are clear about the service that she offers. The childminder promotes good communication with the parents of the children that she cares for. In doing so she is able to update the information that she needs in order to care for them on a day-to-day basis. Parents are given regular updates on how their children have spent the day during verbal feedback at collection time. Children benefit from the childminder and the parents being updated regularly in this way.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed all of the required post registration training and in addition attended a number of training courses relating to child care. She is committed to updating her knowledge in order to improve her service and provide good quality childcare. Children benefit from her increased knowledge and the childminder's commitment to ongoing training ensures that this is an ongoing feature of her service. The childminder organises her childminding service very well. The space and resources are organised to meet children's needs effectively. Children benefit from her professional attitude and the effective organisation of her service. The record of attendance is well maintained and provides evidence that the childminder is minding within her registration. The childminder has produced a range of policies to outline the details of her service and explain her childcare practices and her responsibilities as a registered

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Organisation

childminder. These policies demonstrate that the childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of registration and a sound knowledge of the 14 National Standards. Most documentation is used effectively to promote children's welfare and provide meaningful and worthwhile information to support the childminder in caring for the children. The accident record does not give sufficient

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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 details of injuries sustained, and not all records of medication administered are countersigned by parents consequently these records cannot be used effectively to promote children's welfare. Parents consent to seek emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident, has not been obtained in writing and as a result this could cause a delay in obtaining a child treatment. 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 last inspection the childminder was not caring for children and her public liability insurance had expired. She has renewed her public liability insurance and ensures that this is in place at all times when caring for minded children. The childminder was also asked to increase her knowledge of child protection and her awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has undertaken additional training and is now able to demonstrate a good understanding of the subject.

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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): • improve the medication and first aid records. Ensure that the accident record gives full details of injuries sustained, that all records of medication administered are countersigned by parents and that the parents provide consent for you to seek emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident. • improve security in relation to children being able to open the front door.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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