Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY255358 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children, who all attend school. The family home is an end of terrace house in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Crawley, West Sussex. The local shops, park and primary school are close by.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children play on the ground floor and smaller children only, sleep upstairs during the day. Children have access to a lounge/dining room and cloakroom on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have two guinea pigs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and holds a current first aid certificate. She has completed a level three National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in childminding practice. The childminder holds accreditation to provide nursery education and is part of the Crawley network childminding group. She also supports newly registered childminders. There are currently eight children being cared for by the childminder, for various times during the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Small children are learning to follow very regular routines which enables them to understand about being healthy. They have their hands wiped each time they have touched the guinea pigs and the childminder explains why this is necessary as she carries this out. They are learning to recognise when they need tissues for their noses and they happily comply with the nappy changing routines. The childminder tells children in advance that it is time for nappy changing and she interacts continually to hold children's attention whilst following very hygienic procedures. Children are often reminded to put their hands over their mouths when they cough and they readily obey. All necessary requirements are available on the ground floor, the home is clean and well organised to meet children's needs. There are photographs displayed in the ground floor toilet of hand washing routines and information for older children to read, so that

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Helping children to be healthy

they understand why this helps them to be healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's daily health is noted in their individual diaries and any accidents are fully recorded and parents sign. The childminder has ample requirements in place for first aid and has attended up to date training. Any medication administered is also well documented, although not all parents have given prior written permission for the childminder to administer prescribed medication. She includes written parental permission for emergency treatment and applying sun cream and she has information available for parents to ensure that they understand when children can attend after sickness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eagerly sit at a low table for their snacks. They have individual plates and non-spill cups; children's drinks are available at all times. They eat bananas and the childminder sits with them whilst they practise using plastic knives to cut up their bananas; they manage very well and the childminder praises them. Children have light lunches and cooked meals with the childminder during the week, according to their routines. The childminder has a menu and information displayed to show that she understands about healthy food, she is fully prepared to manage any dietary needs or allergies. The family have just acquired an allotment for growing vegetables and encouraging children to understand about healthy food and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely on the ground floor of the family home and move freely in the spacious room, where the childminder can supervise them at all times. There are stair gates in place to prevent their access to the kitchen and the stairs. Small children regularly use travel cots in the first floor bedrooms for sleeping and the childminder listens continually, she checks them frequently during their routine rest time. Children have easy access to the deck and the small secure rear garden, which has large play apparatus available, but this is generally covered during the winter months. Children have a good variety of play equipment stored in containers and they access these during the inspection; the childminder encourages them to take part in activities and learn how to manage different equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Small children are very secure in the childminder's home because it is organised for safety. There is a large fireguard to protect children from the hearth and all smoke alarms are connected. The childminder has a fire blanket hanging in the kitchen. There are thorough written procedures in place to ensure that fire evacuation is understood and followed; the procedure is also displayed

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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 for parents and older children. Safety is highlighted in the policies for transport by car and any outings, the childminder is very aware of the procedures to follow if children are lost or not collected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is a clear priority and this is explained in the written policy for safeguarding children. The childminder has a good knowledge about child protection and frequently updates her knowledge through attending training. She has separate written procedures to be followed in the event of any allegations about her care of children and she is fully prepared to record any injuries that children have on arrival.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and sociable, they show strong emotional bonding with the childminder and continually use her name during their play. They all play on the floor, they crawl and hide, they surprise each other from behind the furniture. The childminder instigates and encourages their physical games, she knows this is what they enjoy because they are learning to increase their skills of physical movement. Children often repeat their movements because they have learned how to, for example jumping onto the soft pouffe and being lifted in the air to play aeroplanes. Children laugh, they show affection and really enjoy the cuddles and physical play on the floor. The childminder often includes spontaneous singing and plays music during their games. She sits both small children on her lap and they play a pretend horse riding game with movements which get faster, children laugh and ask to play again and again.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children listen to stories and look at pictures when the childminder reads to them. She often asks them simple questions and encourages their learning about colours. She provides individual attention when children are learning to make marks on paper, she clearly recognises when one child shows a left hand predominance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very regular outings during the week and these routines are displayed on the weekly planner. They meet with other local childminders and children, they visit a parent and toddler group and attend an adventure play centre which has physical play areas dedicated to different aged children. Older children can easily use the garden and the trampoline, they often ride bicycles at the front of the house under supervision. There are photographs to show trips to local farms and lego land.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has ample information in her portfolio about children's play opportunities, she has a written policy to explain the need for play and also to show when television can be used to enhance children's learning. There are well-worded, clear, simple statements to link with all the areas of learning to enable parents to understand how the childminder works with smaller children to encourage their development. She instantly recognises when they are making progress, especially with speech and learning new words. There are ample wall displays to encourage children to learn numbers, the alphabet and to identify colours. Children laugh at their own images in the low, safety mirror when the childminder encourages them to look at themselves. They are practising with different sounds and make noises with their mouths on the patio doors. Children have daily diaries and the childminder records their activities to enable

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

parents to read and this also shows where they have made progress in their learning and development.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children in the childminder's care are treated with equal concern and according to their age and stage of development. There are resources available which reflect the diversity within society. Children's individual needs are totally accepted and understood because the childminder has an open attitude and a good understanding of health issues and needs which may affect children's ability. She shows a proactive attitude towards helping all children to develop and has a written policy for caring for any children who have English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they are interested and occupied with activities or attention from the childminder. There are written procedures to follow any bullying or any biting incidents; the childminder has fully described the emotional behaviour which often leads to biting, to enable parents to understand. Children know the routines in the home and they are very used to these. They are happy to have their time filled with activities and conversation. They are reminded to say please and thank you. The childminder speaks gently and encourages children to understand when they become over excited. Children show care and affection to the childminder because they have a clear sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are fully settled within the home because there are well established relationships with parents. The childminder has a thorough portfolio available and a smaller leaflet which explains the child care service. Parents are well informed about the procedures for making complaints and the childminder is prepared to record these. She has evaluative forms in place, completed by parents whose children currently attend. These contain positive comments and compliments about the dedicated attitude of the childminder and the relaxed family atmosphere. Children's records are confidentially stored, all contracts and permission forms are available. Parents receive regular news letters from the childminder, these are friendly and show an open attitude to sharing children's care and describing any special outings or trips. They are also used to keep parents informed of any regulatory changes or wider issues. Parents have daily diaries to enable

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them to share messages and to read about their child's individual routines. There are clear arrangements for the collection of minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have dedicated care because the childminder is constantly involved with children and aware of their needs. There is a comprehensive portfolio of information and this contains all qualifications and certificates that the childminder has gained since her registration. The childminder shows a strong dedication to increasing her knowledge, she has also achieved accreditation to receive the funding for children's education and she is closely linked with other childminders to offer support and guidance. She is very aware of complying with the conditions of her registration and the certificate is displayed. The childminder clearly records the times of all children's daily attendance and has a planned timetable for the week.

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Organisation

The childminder shows experience and a thorough knowledge of child development, she is proud of her chosen career and this is reflected in the organisation and the daily practice. She is very aware of her responsibility to inform Ofsted of any changes to the registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider developing written policy statements for practice issues, such as planning the children's daily routine, sample menus, equal opportunities statement, promoting and supporting children with special educational needs and responsibilities of a registered childminder regarding child protection issues. The childminder has compiled a portfolio which includes policies for all regulatory procedures and a wider variety which are very relevant to enhancing children's care and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked: to ensure a written record is maintained, and signed by parents, of children's existing injuries; to ensure formal, written agreements are in place with parents regarding childminding practice arrangements; to increase the range of resources available to children, which promote diversity within society; and to obtain written, parental consent for all travel and outings.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There are completed contracts in place with parents, for each child who is cared for, to ensure that arrangements meet the needs of parents and children, and separate permission is signed for all transport and outings. This ensures that parents are informed in advance and children's safety is thoroughly considered. The childminder is fully prepared to record any injuries that children have on arrival to maintain their welfare and this information is shared with parents. The childminder has increased resources to reflect the diversity within society to promote children's understanding of the wider world.

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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 that parents sign to give prior permission for the administration of any medication

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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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