Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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155494 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2008 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged seven and four years, in Kingsfold, West Sussex. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is a garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five part-time and one children after school and during the holidays. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop understanding of good personal hygiene routines through effective support from the childminder, who encourages them to wash their hands at appropriate times. The childminder’s effective procedures support the good health of children. She shares her written sick child policy with parents to reduce the risk of cross infection. She ensures parents are fully

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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 informed of any treatment their children receive by requesting they sign the accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder has a good understanding of how to provide them with healthy, balanced meals. She works closely with parents, recording children’s individual dietary requirements. Children enjoy an afternoon snack of fresh banana and apple. They are offered frequent drinks, developing understanding of regular drinks as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for physical exercise as they visit a local park each day. Other activities include visits to a soft play centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment where they have sufficient space to move around and play freely. There is a good range of resources covering all ages and these are well organised to enable children to make choices for themselves. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure the equipment and resources are safe and clean for children to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of risk assessing the premises to ensure children can play safely. She has reviewed her assessment of the safety of the garden and concluded that it is not suitable for children to use at present due to the current condition of the fence and the building work being undertaken. Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussion, when out walking with the childminder, about road safety and stranger danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended training to update her knowledge of child protection. She has a clear understanding of the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse. This protects children whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in the childminder’s care. They ask for stories to be read and the childminder involves them in the story, encouraging them to count the number of presents on the page. The childminder listens to what young children say and repeats it back to them, encouraging language development. Children enjoy singing nursery rhymes with support from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop independence skills as they make decisions about the activities they want to participate in. They enjoy using dabber paints to make marks and the childminder extends the activity by helping children to identify the colours they have used. She also encourages children to match the colour of the play dough pot lids to the dough, which they readily do. Children use their fingers to manipulate the dough. The childminder praises them as they try to roll it into balls using the palms of their hands and they talk about the different sizes of the balls they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes a range of activities undertaken with children of all ages, including board games and outings to animal parks and farms.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for with equal concern according to their individual needs. They learn about the wider world through outings in the local community, tasting foods from around the world. They participate in activities celebrating their own customs and those of other people. The childminder’s management of children and their behaviour is good. She encourages children to share resources and uses appropriate strategies, such as explanation and distraction, depending on the children’s level of understanding. As a result, children behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a good working relationship with parents. She invites parents in to discuss their child's routines and activities and all required parental consents are in place. This supports continuity of care. Parents state they are happy with the childcare their children receive and particularly like the reliability and flexibility of the childminder. The childminder shares her complaints policy and log with parents. However, the policy does not detail the contact number of Ofsted should they have a concern to further promote the welfare of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a secure knowledge of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. All required documents are in place for the efficient running of the setting. For example, written policies are shared with parents and contracts are renewed each year to ensure the childminder has up to date information on children. The childminder keeps a register showing the hours she childminds children on the premises and she requests parents sign the register. However, she does not follow the good practice of recording the times she cares for minded children, outside of the contracted hours, for which she receives no payment, to ensure an accurate record is kept of when children are in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She spends most of her time actively engaged in children's play; as a result they are settled in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. The childminder has updated her child protection procedures in line with current guidance to promote the welfare of children. The recording of children's attendance has improved but a recommendation is carried forward to this inspection for further improvement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

On 10 November 2006, concerns were raised that the childminder was leaving children unattended in a vehicle (National Standard 6, Safety). Ofsted visited the childminder and discussed the concern. From the information gathered during the visit an action was raised to ensure children are not left unattended in a vehicle. The childminder responded to the action confirming that this will no longer happen. The childminder met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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 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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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 a record is kept of all the times that children are cared for • update the complaints policy to ensure that parents are provided with the correct contact details of the regulator.

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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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