Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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160409 Unique Reference Number 26 March 2008 Inspection date Michelle Ann Parham 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 outstanding. 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 2001. She is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her family in a house in a residential area of Guildford. Local shops and community parks are within walking distance of the home. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play. The family have pets in the home. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and attends groups for children throughout the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain an excellent understanding of personal hygiene practices through daily routines and discussion with the childminder. They have picture prompts and posters in the setting that encourage regular hand washing and oral hygiene and the children clean their teeth after main meals which further contributes to their very good dental health. The children benefit from the childminder providing a step in the bathroom to encourage independence and attractive

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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 children’s soap and individual flannels which prevents cross contamination. The setting is immaculately clean and comfortable for children’s use and the childminder has excellent systems in place such as using anti-bacterial cleansers and wearing disposable gloves and aprons for nappy changing routines. All of which positively promotes being healthy for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder has posters and charts that promote five a day and foods that are good for the body. They further extend their understanding of healthy eating though discussion and through the provision of healthy snacks of fresh fruit which the children are invited to choose and prepare themselves. As a result parents have discussed with the childminder that their children are now actively seeking out healthy foods to eat and are prepared to try different foods at home. Children benefit from the provision of fresh drinks throughout their time at the setting of water or milk. Parents currently provide a pack lunch with the childminder providing any additional meals when or if required. Documentation comprehensively details any individual requirements to ensure personal needs are effectively met in regard to diet and health. The childminder has a relevant first aid

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Helping children to be healthy

qualification, a well maintained first aid kit in the home and a travel first aid kit. She also carries emergency provisions when out of the home to ensure children’s needs can be effectively met in the event of being broken down for example. As a result incidents, accidents and emergencies are addressed highly effectively and efficiently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very good selection of play resources which they can use in the rear garden such as large and small slides and climbing frames sit and ride cars, buggies, trolleys, rockers and a playhouse. They also have excellent opportunities to extend their experiences out of the home through attendance at local children’s groups where they undertake focus activities such as sowing seeds and finding out about wind and also outings to local woodland areas such as Alice Holt for nature walks and exploration. Consequently, the children have excellent opportunities to promote their physical fitness and gross motor development whilst also extending their understanding of the local community and social skills with others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children have a very safe environment in which to play and explore where all dangers have been formally addressed using a formal risk assessment and minimised once identified. Effective equipment such as safety gates, fireguards and secure storage of hazardous materials ensures children are kept safe. Children are kept secure as doors to the setting are locked and the garden is securely enclosed with additional measures taken due to recent adverse weather and damages to fencing. Highly effective procedures are in place in regard to the collection of children with unfamiliar adults challenged immediately to ensure children’s safety. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe through discussion about road safety and being aware of strangers and unfamiliar animals. Stringent procedures are in place to keep children safe when on outings as the childminder provides red tops for the children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to wear which ensures they are easily identifiable. She also provides contact wrist bands as a further safety precaution. Children clearly understand what to do in the event of a fire as emergency evacuation procedures are displayed and regularly practised, with the childminder taking into account patterns in children's attendance to ensure all are familiar with the routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a clear and robust understanding in all aspects of child protection. Comprehensive and effective policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare and the childminder continually undertakes any relevant training to enhance her practice and safeguard the children in her care.

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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 outstanding. Children benefit at the setting as the childminder has excellent understanding of how they learn and develop through play. She uses development records incorporating the Birth to three matters framework and six areas of learning to effectively records children’s progress, therefore ensuring she can plan for their next steps in learning and development. Children are becoming confident communicators because the childminder is highly skilled in her interaction with them. For example, she makes good eye contact and fully includes herself in play and focus activities, repeating familiar words to help young children learn. She works extremely closely with parents to effectively support children whose first language is not English ensuring that she has key words, books and music tapes in the child’s first language. As a result building trusting relationships with children and helping them feel secure and settled in the home. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

has a wonderful warm manner with the children of which they respond extremely well to as they, for example, enjoy a cosy cuddle on waking or sing songs as they wash their hands together. Children are extremely confident to interact with adults evidencing how they feel happy in the childminder’s care and throughout the inspection visit the childminder engaged in play with the children and fully devoted her time and attention to their care and learning needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop responsibility and independence as they are able to initiate their own play, self selecting from the wealth of good quality play resources stored low level for ease of access. The childminder rotates the play resources regularly to ensure renewed interest and to promote a stimulating environment. Children spend their time purposefully in play as they enjoy worthwhile activities such as printing, painting, or story time with puppet props. They also benefit from attending children’s groups throughout the week where they have good opportunities to be involved in large group activities with peers and varied focus activities such as finding out about wind, sowing seeds or music sessions. Children’s work is prominently displayed which evidences how their efforts are valued and helps promote high self-esteem and a real sense of belonging. The children benefit from the childminder promoting a child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

orientated environment where they are thoroughly encouraged to explore, enjoy and achieve. The childminder clearly enjoys her role and the children thrive in this setting where they are very happy and relaxed in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's behaviour is excellent at the setting due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. Any issues of concern are recorded and clearly discussed with parents to negotiate a consistent approach for the child from both parties. Children begin to understand acceptable behaviour through general discussion and simple house rules such as being kind and helpful, helping to tidy away and having good manners. Positive techniques are used such as discussion, distraction and lots of praise and encouragement for effort and achievement and all behaviour management is highly appropriate for the understanding of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have ample opportunities to learn about themselves and others in the wider community as the childminder has numerous resources that portray positive images such as dolls, books and small world figures. They are highly valued as individuals and their needs are met in accordance with any specific requirements because the childminder has effective systems to identify routines and individual needs. She has experience of caring for children with additional

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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 needs and of working in partnership with other agencies to ensure appropriate packages of care are provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder promoting excellent partnership with parents. She uses comprehensive documentation to ensure she is fully aware of children’s personal routines and care needs, therefore ensuring she has as much information as possible to help the child settle well. All documentation is completed in partnership with parents and reviewed on a regular basis. Daily diaries are used as an excellent means of communication and for including the parent in the child’s day. Parents are welcomed into the home to discuss the day’s events and to contribute to consistency of care. They are extremely well informed about the setting as the childminder provides them with a high number of written policies outlining her work practice and a comprehensive portfolio. All required information is displayed effectively for parents to view and questionnaires express parents' high regard and support of ‘the excellent care and

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children experience an extremely well organised environment where they are occupied and fully engaged with activities and play opportunities. They have their care and learning needs ideally met through the provision of high quality, well organised play resources, planned activities and outings to the local woodland areas and to children’s groups. Children's health and well-being are exceptionally well promoted because of highly effective working practices and close liaison with parents. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and maintains them all to a high standard. She regularly attends further training opportunities to enhance her knowledge and working practice keeping abreast of changes in childcare such as the forthcoming Early Years Foundation Stage. All documentation is extremely well organised, maintained to a high standard and stored confidentially in fire

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Organisation

proof containers. The childminder provides a wealth of information for parents to ensure they are fully up to date of her working practice and the day to day care of the children. Ratios are maintained at all times and the childminder has recently reduced her childminding numbers to ensure all children, minded and family, have sufficient time and attention. As a result the childminder offers a quality childcare service where she meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides, ensuring positive outcomes for all.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that the trellis is safe and secure and that children are unable to climb it. Since this inspection the childminder has moved property and therefore this recommendation is now not applicable.

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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. 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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Complaints 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

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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