Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248131 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon 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 first registered in 2004 and lives with her husband and their two children in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, and children also have access to an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and is currently caring for four minded children. The childminder makes regular trips to local play areas, children's library and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's healthy growth and development is effectively supported and the childminder has well organised and consistent hygiene routines. Children are consistently encouraged to wash their hands and keep themselves clean. Children are also guided to be tidy with toys and play materials. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks and have fresh fruit regularly. Children also enjoy preparing food with the childminder, who is able to support individual children's dietary

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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 needs. Children are encouraged to be active and their healthy development is effectively supported by a range of well organised physical games and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from access to a well organised play environment, well prepared to challenge and support children in learning and having fun. The childminder has a highly varied and exciting range of play and learning resources to interest children over a wide age range. The childminder is also highly effective in the presentation of play materials, to allow children to choose and select play items easily. The childminder also plans and organises play resources that are highly effective in supporting children's manual skills and creative development. A well organised and varied range of outdoor play items is also provided. The childminder has taken care to ensure her home is safe, with a well organised range of safety precautions in place. The childminder has attended training and has an effective awareness of the need to protect and safeguard the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides a highly well organised programme of activities to support children's learning and development. The childminder produces well organised written plans for play and learning, which ensures all children over the age range enjoy challenging and highly rewarding activities. Many stimulating art-crafts activities are provided and children's school learning projects are also included. Children enjoy a wide range of challenging assembly and making activities and are encouraged to invent and develop their ideas. Children have much fun exploring play resources together with the childminder, who is highly attentive in encouraging the use of words and language. A wide range of physical games and outdoor play is also provided in the back garden and on outings to local play areas. Children are confidently supported by the childminder who is highly effective in supporting their enjoying and achieving.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes children to her home and takes care to ensure their individual needs are recognised and effectively supported. The childminder demonstrates a calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour, and successfully supervises children during a wide range of activities. The childminder has a clear understanding of the need to encourage children's awareness of the wider world, with an effective range of diversity resources within the play environment. The childminder has established good relationships with parents and provides information regularly on children's learning and progress. Parents have access to a range of clearly written parental agreements, but lack access to contact details of the regulator, Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has prepared her home well for childcare, with all play areas well organised for a wide range of activities. The childminder provides a varied and stimulating range of play and learning resources, that successfully meet the needs of the children attending. Children can choose play items easily and enjoy their play and learning. The childminder has well organised

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 documentation and all required record keeping is up-to-date. She is also a confident and experienced child carer and has attended training to support her child care practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved information on child protection, developed diversity resources and produced a range of agreements with parents. These changes provide improved outcomes for children in Staying Safe and Positive Contribution.

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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 parents are provided with contact details of the regulator, Ofsted.

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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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