Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY230887 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2008 Inspection date Michele, Karen Beasley 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 2002. She lives with her husband and their two school aged children in a house in Burgess Hill. The property is close to local schools, amenities and a park. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and a bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder implements effective health and hygiene policies and procedures to promote their hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. For example, children wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder wipes down the table where

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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 the children have meals. Their health is well maintained and written information is obtained from parents regarding children's medical history, allergies and special dietary requirements ensuring their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate in place which ensures children's wellbeing and safety. She records accidents and the administration of medication appropriately ensuring children remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents can supply their own child's meals, however, the childminder has a flexible approach to providing a range of nutritional snacks and meals such as shepherds pie and vegetables and fresh fruit. She works closely with parents to ensure the children's individual needs are being met and the parents wishes are being respected at all times. When offering the children drinks, the childminder gently reminds them to say 'please' and 'thank you', encouraging them to use their manners and be polite throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy opportunities to play in the childminder’s garden. This helps to develop children’s co-ordination and their understanding of spatial awareness. Children benefit from regular trips to local parks, nature centres and farms where they increase their confidence by meeting other children and adults.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a comfortable, child friendly environment which is well laid out with sufficient space for them to play and explore. The children are happy and occupied as the childminder provides a wide range of good quality, age appropriate toys which are freely accessible to the children. Toys and resources are checked and cleaned to ensure they are in a suitable condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe and develop confidence as the childminder closely supervises them and is very attentive. She takes steps to minimise hazards to ensure children's safety, for example, stairgates are in place. However, fire drills are not carried out with the children. Consequently this compromises children's safety in an emergency. Good security is in place to ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and their safety is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regard to child protection. She ensures procedures are implemented effectively in practice, including arrangements for the collection of children. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and how to follow these where concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy. They laugh and talk throughout activities, such as playing with playdough and cooking food in the role-play oven. The childminder interacts with the children exceptionally well, talking to them all the time, making eye contact, playing at their level and showing affection. The childminder has a good understanding of children's developmental needs. She participates fully during activities, encouraging children to join in such as making up Christmas boxes of gifts to send to less fortunate children in Romania. Children have many opportunities to develop a good range of skills such as making cookies and painting bird houses. They progress well in all areas in a stimulating, exciting and interesting environment. Children benefit from the childminder's strong support. She is affectionate and consistent as she organises

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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 routines to ensure all children have the opportunity for group activities such as sharing a story with the childminder, making puppets and hand print plates.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a real sense of security and belonging and are confident and highly valued by the childminder. Their behaviour is good and they learn to take responsibility, by making their own choices from the toys and equipment provided. They gain a well-developed respect for others and their beliefs. They learn about themselves and the wider world through a wide varied range of activities and books linked to life experiences and traditions. This includes learning about Halloween and Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's interaction with children is good and she has a very good knowledge of their individual needs, likes and interests, enabling each child to reach their full potential whilst in her care. Presently there are no minded children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Through discussion the childminder was able to demonstrate a clear understanding of her responsibilities. She is happy to liaise with other agencies and always work closely with the parents to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children benefit from positive working relationships between the childminder and their parents. Good links are in place between home and the setting, for example, through informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day. Parents are well informed about the childminder’s service through the childminder's detailed portfolio. This includes many training certificates and written policies and procedures about the service the childminder provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's good organisation of the home provides children with good adult support within a safe environment. There is sufficient space for them to explore and play independently. The organisation of resources enables children to freely select them to initiate and develop their own play. This enables children to develop confidence and a sense of security in the environment.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of registration and the National Standards for childminding. Children's care is enhanced by policies and procedures which are mostly robust to support the childminder's practice to a good standard. However, the attendance register is lacking in detail. The childminder gives priority to protecting children, promoting their well-being and ensuring that all children develop to their full potential. Parents are kept well informed about the service provided, by regular verbal and clear communication and a detailed portfolio. Overall, the provision 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 the parents have access to a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. A written complaints procedure and log is in place which informs parents of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. The childminder was also asked to ensure written permission is requested from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder

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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 has written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice, helping to keep the children healthy.

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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): • ensure fire drills are carried out with the children • ensure children's surnames and dates of birth are recorded in the attendance register.

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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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