Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289662 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Alison Weaver 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged 10 years. They live in a bungalow on the outskirts of East Grinstead near to shops, parks and schools. The majority of the property is used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well as the childminder takes the necessary steps to ensure they play in a clean and homely environment. The childminder keeps the toys and equipment used by the children clean. She has an appropriate hygiene procedure for nappy changing. The children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through everyday routines such as

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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 cleaning hands before and after eating. However, the use of a shared towel in the toilet is less effective at preventing cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good arrangements in place to care for children who are sick or injured. The childminder is trained in administering first aid so is able to take the appropriate action if there is an injury to a child. The childminder obtains information from parents about any health issues and has the necessary permissions in place so that she can meet children’s individual care needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring their own packed lunches and these are stored appropriately so that the food stays fresh. The childminder offers healthy snacks such as fresh fruit. Children sometimes help prepare the fruit for their snacks. The children enjoy the relaxed social time at meal times as they sit together to eat. They have easy access to drinks to prevent them becoming dehydrated. Children learn about healthy eating through activities such as shopping for fruit and vegetables. They also do collages of what is good to eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. They enjoy walks, visits to the park and playing in the garden. The children regularly go to a soft play area where they take part in more boisterous activities. Younger children are able to rest and sleep as needed. Sleeping children develop a sense of belonging and security as they each have their own area for sleeping in, with their own cot and clean bedding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder creates a child friendly environment where children can play safely and stay free from harm. All the necessary safety precautions are taken, indoors and outdoors, to minimise the risks for the different aged children she cares for. The childminder has an appropriate fire evacuation procedure and an accessible fire blanket. These help children stay safe in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are kept secure and only authorised adults are allowed to collect the children from the childminder’s care. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection and the possible signs of abuse. She is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses one of the rooms as a dedicated play space. This room is made colourful and attractive for the children with a variety of pictures and posters displayed. There is some child sized furniture available that the children use. Children play with a good range of safe, suitable and age appropriate toys and resources. The toys and equipment are kept in a good condition and regularly checked for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good procedures for outings to help keep children safe. She takes parents’ contact numbers with her in case there is an accident or incident while they are out. The children are transported safely in a vehicle and all the necessary parental consents are in place. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when they go out as they practise crossing roads with the childminder and discuss stranger danger.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and relaxed in the childminder’s care. They build good relationships with each other and with the childminder. She is caring and affectionate, giving them a lot of praise as they achieve. The children approach her for help or to show her the toys. The children develop their independence as the childminder encourages them to try to do things for themselves, such as putting on a sock or putting toys away. The childminder encourages their development as they play. She talks easily with them and helps to promote their language skills. Young children ‘read’ books to themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are well occupied at all times and have fun playing with a wide range of stimulating toys in the playroom. They make their own choices from the different toy boxes and activities. Children develop their physical skills as they make different noises by pressing the buttons or standing on the pads of the toys. They make sounds as they play with the musical instruments. They like to mark make on the play mat. Children have other opportunities to draw and do sticking activities. They use their imagination as they pretend to talk on the phones and play with the cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a wide variety of fun and interesting outings for the children. They go on train rides, visit zoos, go to the beach and explore the creatures at the Sealife Centre. They go to other places such as Wakehurst Place and Tilgate Park. They regularly meet up with other childminders and their children to develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and valued as individuals. The childminder gets to know the children so that she can meet their needs and include them in all the activities. She obtains the necessary information from parents so that she can respect their wishes and help the children settle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a good range of resources for the children that show positive images of diversity. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning needs and/or disabilities. However, she is fully aware of the need to ensure that she can give the appropriate care to a child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved with the childminder. They play happily together and soon learn to share the resources and be kind to each other. Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. She has appropriate strategies for managing their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New parents are informed about some of the childminder’s childcare practices by using a file containing a variety of information. This includes a few written policies and photographs of activities children enjoy. However, the childminder is not aware of the correct procedures for dealing with complaints made by parents. Parents are given daily verbal feedback about their child. The childminder also communicates effectively by using daily care diaries to keep parents informed about their child’s day.

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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 satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a well-organised environment. The childminder gives the necessary level of supervision to help support them in their play and to keep them safe. This enables children to quickly make themselves at home and feel secure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All the required documentation and parental consents are in place. The documentation helps to support the care of children and it complies with the regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder completed a variety of courses to help improve her childcare practices. However, she does not have up to date knowledge of the changes to the National Standards. In particular, the childminder does not have sufficient knowledge of the regulation relating to complaints. Although this lack of knowledge is a breach of regulations, the impact on the care of children is minimal.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has extended the resources that show positive images of culture and disability to help children develop a positive attitude to differences in society. She has obtained the necessary written information relating to child protection so that she is aware of how to safeguard children if she has any concerns about a child. The childminder ensures she has written parental permission for emergency medical treatment so that she can act in the best interest of the child in an emergency.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop knowledge of current regulations relating to complaints.

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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 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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