RNIB Sunshine House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102463 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2007 Inspection date Sarah Jane Wignall 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 1987. She lives with her partner in a large town, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor 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 is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as they are cared for in a very clean, warm and comfortable environment. The childminder pays suitable attention to health and hygiene and children are encouraged to wash their hands before lunch. They have easy access to ground floor toilet facilities and use hand wash and paper towels to limit the risks of cross infection. Children are

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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 protected as parents are kept informed of any accidents and the childminder has easy access to a well stocked first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring their own foods each day which are stored and served appropriately by the childminder. She has recently attended training on food safety and checks the temperature of the fridge each day to ensure the safe storage of food. Children have access to drinks throughout the day and young children are regularly asked if they need a drink. The childminder ensures she is fully aware of any special diets or allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and exercise. They occasionally use the garden for outdoor play where they particularly enjoy water play and using the play tent. Good use is made of the local play park where children can run and play ball in the wide open space. Daily walks to and from school and walks in the country increase children's overall fitness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected as the childminder places a high emphasis on safety. She confines play to the ground floor where the play areas have been made safe and hazards have been minimised. She makes use of suitable safety equipment, such as socket covers and door stops, to limit the risks to children. She supervises children very well as they play in the home and is especially vigilant when they are using public facilities such as large parks. Children are protected from the dangers of fire as there is a written evacuation procedure in place and suitable fire fighting equipment. However she has not yet practised a fire procedure with them. Written permission has not been obtained for all children to travel in a vehicle or go on routine outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a good range of toys and equipment that are rotated to provide variety. The childminder ensures that all toys are well maintained and any broken items are removed. She ensures that babies are well protected when older children are playing with small items. She closely monitors children's use of equipment and ensures they are sitting safely when using the large and small tables and chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has a suitable knowledge and understanding of child protection. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and agencies to contact for advice or referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well cared for by the childminder who is responsive to their individual needs. She is warm and caring and children are happy and settled in her care. She responds quickly to babies' physical needs for sleeps, feeds and nappy changes. Children have access to a good range of age appropriate resources which are well laid out and ready to play with on arrival. Babies receive lots of cuddles and show delight as they play with large pegs and coloured blocks. The childminder offers sensitive support and encourages babies to reach out for things they want, helping to develop their mobility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children enjoy making marks with crayons and use scissors confidently and with control to cut lines in paper. The childminder makes good use of the outdoor environment to extend children's learning and children enjoy naming colours when playing with soft play resources at

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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 the local leisure centre. They talk about falling leaves as they walk to and from school, and learn about letters as they post them in the post box.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being in the care of a childminder who is fully aware of their individual needs. She provides activities that are age appropriate and interesting, for instance taking older children to fun sessions at the local swimming pool during school holidays. Children have good opportunities to be involved with the local community as they regularly visit parks and attend the local library for story time and to borrow books. Good links with the local leisure centre provide children with the opportunity to mix and socialise with others. The childminder has increased her range of resources that reflect positive images of other cultures and children learn about them as they play with dolls and puzzles, look at books and dress up. They learn about traditional festivals such as Christmas as they visit local attractions to look at decorations and displays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thrive in the warm and caring environment. The childminder increases children's confidence as she uses lots of verbal praise to reward and reinforce appropriate behaviour, for instance, when young children are toilet training. Children show delight as they are praised for their achievements. Children learn about right and wrong as the childminder encourages them to take responsibility for their actions, such as saying sorry when they have hurt another. The childminder responds quickly to minor squabbles, such as children taking toys away from each other, and she treats all children fairly and equally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder has with parents. She communicates each day with them ensuring they are fully aware of routines and activities children have participated in. With babies she ensures parents are aware of sleeps, nappy changes and feeds. Well thought through settling in procedures are in place, helping new children to feel confident in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who clearly enjoys being with children. She is aware of requirements and keeps herself up to date with changes by attending occasional training courses, such as food safety and singing and signing. Her home is well organised so that children can play safely and comfortably in it. She plans her time well so that children have a balance of indoor and outdoor play and quiet and busy times. She makes good use of local facilities and groups so that children have a varied and interesting time in her care.

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Organisation

Most basic documentation is in place and suitably organised. Overall 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 asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote positive images of culture, gender and disability. She was also asked to obtain detailed written permission from parents before administering medication to children. Children's health is promoted as written permission to administer

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Improvements 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 medication is now obtained. They learn about other cultures and diversity as they play with resources such as dolls and puzzles, look at books and dress up.

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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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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 fire safety by regularly practising an emergency escape plan • obtain written permission for all children to go on routine outings and be transported in a vehicle.

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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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