Franklyn House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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113953 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2005 Inspection date Jacqueline Crawford 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 outstanding. 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 for over 10 years. She lives with her husband, two school-age children and one adult child. The family live in a house in Littlehampton, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly works with another registered childminder and occasionally an assistant. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding 10 children under 5-years part-time, and 5 children over 5-years, of whom 2 are over 8 years, before and after school. When working with another registered childminder, a maximum of 12 children may be cared for at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler and carers group, and regularly takes children on outings to local parks and the beach. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local childminder network.

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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 outstanding. Children are well protected and stay healthy because the childminder follows excellent procedures and practices in all areas of her provision. All children receive a unique package of care to meet their individual needs. This allows children with specific allergies to enjoy a full range of activities. Children are developing their personal care and understanding of good hygiene practice extremely well because of the childminder's sensitive approach and the excellent daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met effectively; the childminder works extremely well with parents, which ensures she is fully aware of individual children's dietary requirements. Children benefit from the childminder's strong knowledge of healthy eating. They learn the value of healthy food, through discussion and as they help to prepare a range of nutritious snacks which include fresh fruit and vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise during daily outings and outside play. The excellent provision of stimulating equipment and resources enables children to develop their co-ordination, control and physical skills effectively in their play. The extremely comfortable provision allows children and babies to sleep and relax according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well protected and cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure environment. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety at all times. She uses well-implemented procedures, effective risk assessment and daily safety checks, to identify potential hazards. For example, children currently do not have access to the garden, because it is being re-designed. However, children continue to enjoy safe outdoor play during daily outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the excellent range of high quality toys and equipment, which are well maintained and kept in a clean and safe condition. Top priority is given to children's safety on outings; equipment such as baby buggies and car seats, are correctly fitted and meet the recommended safety standards. Play activities are age appropriate and extremely well organised, which ensures babies are well protected and they do not have access to unsuitable toys or resources. Children are developing a good awareness of keeping themselves safe on outings and as they move around the home under the close supervision of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected because the childminder fully understands her role in child protection through training. She has a well-written policy and a secure knowledge of appropriate procedures to put into practice if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The vibrant and stimulating environment and the exceptional skills of the childminder, enable children to learn and achieve through play, and to make extremely good progress in their personal development. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Foundation Stage and Birth to Three Matters, to extend her practice effectively, providing considerable opportunities for children to explore and enjoy a full range of imaginative experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely well settled and experience a full sense of enjoyment and achievement. They flourish, developing their confidence and self-esteem effectively, because the childminder provides plenty of praise and encouragement and supports them extremely well. The excellent range of resources provides exciting opportunities for children to enjoy imaginative and meaningful play and to explore their ideas. For example, children thoroughly enjoy learning about and observing the life cycle of the butterfly. Babies are engaged in activities which enable them to interact with other children, and help them to develop their senses and skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The excellent interaction throughout the provision contributes considerably to the warm and trusting relationships between the childminder and the children. Children develop strong friendships with each other.The childminder has an excellent understanding of the children's emotional well-being and their individual stages of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well supported, because the childminder is fully aware of children's individual and additional needs. Children benefit from the extremely good partnership the childminder has with their parents. Parents receive comprehensive information about the provision and are kept fully informed about their children's care and progress through detailed daily discussions. Parents particularly appreciate the homely environment and the excellent links between home and the provision. Children show a true sense of belonging and of feeling part of the family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand simple ground rules and clear boundaries which are appropriate to their level of understanding. The childminder's sensitive and calm approach and her effective behaviour management techniques encourage children to take turns, share fairly, and play harmoniously with friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have excellent opportunities to choose resources and to make decisions in their play and learning, because of the excellent balance of adult led and child-initiated activities. Children's confidence and self-esteem is effectively developed, because their achievements and displays of their work are highly valued. Children are becoming very aware of their own needs and the needs of others by being helpful and supportive to each other. They have excellent opportunities to develop their independence and delight in caring for the pets and helping to prepare snacks. The extremely good range of activities and resources enable children to become fully aware of diversity and of the world around them.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the childminder's motivation, her excellent organisational skills and her professional approach. In addition, the outstanding provision of childcare is extended when the provider works in partnership with another childminder. The home is effectively organised to maximise play opportunities for children. The childminder regularly evaluates her provision, and develops her extremely good practice through further training and development. She plans the activity programme effectively helping children to learn through play by referring to the Foundation Stage and Birth to three matters.

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Organisation

The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children in her care. She keeps clear and accurate records and maintains all of the legally required documentation which contributes to the children's welfare and safety. The effective policies and procedures are well implemented and are shared with parents; this ensures all children are well cared for and protected.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was identified that steps must be taken to ensure hazards to children on the premises were minimised. The childminder has implemented effective safety procedures and risk assessment, which ensure children's safety at all times. It was also identified that an adequately stocked first aid kit was required. An appropriate first aid kit is now in place.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 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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