White Court School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114988 Unique Reference Number 09 April 2008 Inspection date Elaine Douglas 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a three bed-roomed semi-detached property in the Goring area of Worthing, West Sussex. All areas of the property are 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 eight children when working with an assistant at any one time and is currently minding six children under five and three children over five before and after school. The childminder also provides out of school care for children over eight years. She takes and collects children from Sandhurst, Goring and West Park schools. The family has several tortoises and a horse kept in separate stables.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification and has gained a level 3 in quality assurance.

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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 good. Children's health is protected by the childminder having an up-to-date first aid qualification. Parental consent is sought for obtaining emergency advice or treatment, and there is a good supply of first aid equipment both in the home and the car. However, the first aid box in the home also contains the family medication. Children are protected from illness through good procedures and clear information which is shared with parents. All necessary documentation is in place to support children's health, for example, records of accidents or any medication. Children's health is further protected by the childminder having attended food hygiene training and training in allergies, reactions and using an Epi-Pen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy practices through their daily routines and discussions in their play. For example, when one child says their monster has a tummy ache from eating cars the childminder asks what would be healthy things to eat. Children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, and are provided with liquid soap. However, children share the same towel and babies lie on the hall mat to have their nappy changed which does not protect them from cross contamination. Children help themselves to their drinks at any time and know to remove their shoes when they come in from the garden so they play on clean floors.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to have healthy lifestyles through regular opportunities to be outside and use physical play equipment. They regularly use a wide range of equipment in the large garden, for example, stilts, a mini roundabout, a tunnel, slide, bats and balls, and ride on toys. They go for autumn walks, picnics on the beach and attend soft play centres.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection issues. She keeps her knowledge up-to-date by attending child protection training. She has a written policy and appropriate documentation for further guidance. There are written procedures to follow should a child be lost or uncollected. The childminder has a clear knowledge of her emergency evacuation procedures and good fire equipment is regularly checked to ensure it remains in working order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children develop a good awareness of safety through regular discussions and sensible expectations. For example, two older children are made aware of the toddler's presence and their need to be careful. A good range of well maintained equipment helps to keep children safe. For example, high chairs and various booster seats enable children of various abilities to sit safely at the table. Children play with a wide range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Books are on a low shelf to enable children to access them independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good space to play both inside and outside. Older children can safely access the toilet independently and have space to be quiet away from the younger children, if they wish. The childminder carries out visual risk assessments and installs any necessary equipment depending on the developmental stages of the children attending. For example, low-level cupboards in the kitchen have child locks and a low step allows younger children to reach the sinks safely. Children are transported safely in appropriate car seats, with their parents' consent.

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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 garden is secure and the childminder has checked and removed any dangerous plants. However, when the rotary drier is left down it poses a risk to children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children access a highly stimulating range of activities both inside and outside the childminder's home. She plans a very flexible program which contributes significantly to their learning and development, whilst ensuring they have fun and thoroughly enjoy their time with her. Children become highly independent learners as they select from the resources and initiate their own activities. For example, one child builds their own monster from the cycling resources, they develop skills as they use the tape dispenser and discover how much is needed to keep a piece of wool secure enough to hold the ' monster' by. Excellent interaction supports a younger child in being included so that they too can build a 'junk monster'. Children take part in a wide range of creative activities, such as cooking, play-dough, decorating biscuits, music and role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children talk extremely enthusiastically about a trip on the previous day to a farm where they saw baby lambs being born. They regularly visit the family stables and go for walks along the seafront. The childminder belongs to a childminding network who regularly organise exciting activities. For example, inviting a man from animal rescue to bring a range of unusual animals to the childminder's house for the children to see, feel and learn about. Children's language and cognitive development is extremely well supported through skilful interaction. They have excellent opportunities to rest or be active.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder having attended recent training in storytelling, treasure baskets, using scrap materials, and enjoying and achieving with children. She keeps written observations of children's development as well as photographic evidence. She has already started to look at the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and how she will implement it to benefit children. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development, and building children's confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very relaxed and extremely confident in the childminder's home. She has cared for many of them since they were babies and so she knows them extremely well and can meet their individual needs. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a good awareness of needing to work closely with parents and outside agencies to provide appropriate care. Children gain a good awareness of people's differences through accessing a range of books, toys and resources which provide positive images, as well as celebrating many festivals, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children build good relationships and play extremely well together, they take turns and are polite. The childminder provides a calm role model and through consistent praise builds children's self-esteem. Children are valued, and the childminder asks their opinion and gives them choices. Children benefit from a good partnership with parents and carers. Parents receive good information on the childminder's provision, their child's development, and policies and procedures; many of which are in writing. Good consent forms protect children and ensure parents wishes are met.

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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 good. Children's care and welfare is significantly enhanced by the childminder's commitment to ongoing training and updating her knowledge, for example, supporting bereavement and working with children with disabilities. She is a member of the local childminding network who regularly get together to discuss practice and organise trips and activities for the children. The childminder organises her home, time and resources effectively to benefit the children attending. Well organised documentation supports the childminder in providing good quality care. Children's records are accurate and stored confidentially. Children are protected by the childminder keeping Ofsted informed of any significant events. The childminder meets the needs of the range 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 low-level glass panels are safe or inaccessible to children, to record children's full names in the register, to obtain parental consent to apply creams and lotions, to keep a separate record of significant incidents and to share Ofsted's contact details with parents as part of the complaints procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection the childminder has ensured that all low-level glass is either inaccessible or has safety film, this ensures that the risks to children are reduced. Children's names are now written on the registers so that their attendance is clearly recorded. Parental consent is sought to enable the childminder to apply creams and lotions on the children. The childminder now uses the National Childminding Association records for recording any significant incidents, this ensures that appropriate records are kept to safeguard children's welfare. The Ofsted poster is displayed in the hall so that parents are aware of how to contact Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint or contact the regulator.

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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 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): • keep only appropriate equipment in the first aid box

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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 • ensure children are protected from cross contamination with regard to hand washing equipment and nappy changing • ensure the rotary drier does not pose a hazard to children

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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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