Childminder in Brighton and Hove

Inspection report for early years provision

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159010 Unique Reference Number 31 January 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 2001. She lives with her partner and their school-age child in the Poet's Corner area of Brighton & Hove. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with one upstairs room also available. Children have access to a fully enclosed back garden for outside play. The childminder is registered for a maximum of four children under eight years and is currently caring for six children. The childminder makes regular visits to nearby parks and children's play centres.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder supports children's health effectively with well organised and consistent hygiene routines. Children are encouraged to wash their hands and keep themselves clean. Children are also encouraged to be tidy with toys and play materials. Children enjoy healthy snacks and fresh fruit daily and have plenty to drink. Learning about food plays an important part in the childminder's programme of activities and children are introduced to foods from different countries. Children regularly enjoy preparing food with the childminder. The childminder

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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 is able to support individual children's dietary needs and has experience of food allergies. Children are healthy and active and their physical development is effectively supported by frequent outings and regular games in the back garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has prepared her home effectively for childminding. Children explore resources and develop their play in a well organised and stimulating play environment. There are many bright visual displays and children have access to a comfortable soft area which can also be use for reading stories. The childminder has a varied and exciting range of play and learning resources, well presented to interest children over a wide age range. Children have attractive tactile and discovery play materials and the storage of resources is well organised for children to choose play items easily. A wide range of art-craft materials are also available to support children's creative development. Children are inventive with play items, but the range and variety of role-play resources could be further developed. Children have access to a computer to support their early learning and an effective range of outdoor play resources is also provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended training and has a confident awareness of the need to safeguard children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an excellent programme of activities to support children's learning and development. The childminder's planning is confidently organised and highly effective, ensuring children engage in a wide range of challenging and rewarding activities. Many stimulating and inventive art-crafts and making projects are included and children easily learn about colours, shapes and do counting. Children enjoy using assembly toys and small-world play activities and are able to invent and share their ideas. Children have fun exploring play resources with the childminder, who provides many good quality learning interactions with children; which is highly effective in supporting their progress and development. Children's understanding of the wider world is also successfully encouraged and children enjoy choosing books and reading stories. Many physical activities and active games are provided, including

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

regular trips to the nearby play areas. Children become absorbed and delighted by their activities, closely 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 takes care to ensure children's individual needs are effectively recognised and supported. Children listen and respond well to the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a well organised and consistent approach to supervising children's activities, making much good use of praise and encouragement. The childminder is open to caring for children with disabilities and includes a good range of other culture activities in her play and learning programme. The childminder enjoys good relationships with parents and provides information daily on children's learning and development. Parents have access to clearly written policy material and a range of parental agreements are in place. Clear information on the childminder's approach to childcare and childminding service is also provided for parents.

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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. The childminder is well organised and provides well prepared play areas to encourage children's play and learning. A wide range of stimulating activities are provided and children also have access to outdoor play. The childminder has a good range of attractive play and learning resources, all well presented to meet the learning needs of the children attending. The childminder keeps clear and well organised documentation. All records required by registration are up-to-date and well maintained. The childminder has a clearly written range of policy and guidance documents to support her practice, which parents may access. The childminder is trained and experienced and is a confident and established child carer. 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 increased fire safety, widened resources to reflect diversity and re-organised record keeping and documentation, providing improved outcomes for children in Staying Safe, Positive Contribution and Organisation.

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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): • widen the range and variety of role-play resources provided for 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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