Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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155435 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 Inspection date Rosemary Musgrove 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two teenagers in the Durrington area of Worthing, West Sussex. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding five children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives close to local shops, schools and a park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Worthing Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association.

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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. Children are cared for in a home where hygiene has a high priority. The childminder's kitchen is clean and orderly. This means it is suitable for food preparation. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective routines. They wash their hands before they eat a snack and after they have handled the pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for by a childminder who holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can administer first aid in the event of an emergency. The childminder has clear written guidance about sick children and if they are infectious, they stay at home. This ensures that other children do not catch unwanted contagious illnesses. The childminder has written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and maintains appropriate records for injuries, accidents and the administration of medicines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for by a childminder who has a good understanding of a balanced diet. Children learn to make healthy choices for their snacks and enthusiastically eat segments of oranges and a banana. For lunch, children eat sandwiches, cucumber and fresh fruit. Children independently help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of physical activities. These help their physical development and their coordination skills. At a local sports centre they enjoy climbing, riding the wheeled vehicles and the bouncy castle. In the summer months, they play in the childminder's garden and use the large trampoline and small climbing frame. These activities help children to acquire the skills necessary to control their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a home that is welcoming and well organised. This means they independently select resources that are suitable for their age and developmental stage. These include building bricks, dolls and a selection of books. An attractive outside play area complements the inside accommodation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe and secure environment. They are protected from harm because the childminder is aware of potential hazards and has a list of her risk assessments. She has implemented a number of safety measures to protect children from harm. These include safety gates, socket covers and cupboard locks in the kitchen. The childminder has a written evacuation plan, smoke alarms and a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of keeping children safe when they go on outings. She has clear procedures for getting them in and out of her car and uses straps to keep them safe while in a pushchair. If she visits a local park, she is vigilant and looks out for hazards. The childminder has written parental permission for transport in her car and for routine outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, she is not fully aware of the procedures to follow if she had concerns about a child 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 good. Children are welcomed to the childminder's house. This means they make themselves at home and feel secure. The childminder has a good understanding of 'Birth to three matters' and this means that children have suitable and progressive learning experiences. She completes developmental records for the different aspects of learning, such as, a competent learner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently select their favourite resources and often play for an extended period. For example, they love playing with the Play Dough and the childminder's skilful interaction extends their language and learning experience. She encourages them to make prints of the different animals in the Play Dough and talks about the differences. The childminder helps the children with their early number skills and they confidently count the number of pigs on the table.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of creative activities. In the childminder's home they enjoy sticking and cutting and enthusiastically use the water pens on the aqua mat. During regular visits to a local toddler group, children socialise with other children and enjoy painting activities. Children play well together during imaginative games. They really enjoy their hideout under the childminder's table and play with the toy barbeque.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are keen to choose books to browse alone or with a friend. They enjoy leaning about dinosaurs and especially like looking at a book about different people when they lift the flaps and find out who is underneath.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are given the opportunity to go out and learn about the their local environment, such as outings to the Sealife Centre, Tilgate Park and feeding the ducks at Littlehampton.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows about children's individual needs, for example, their favourite toys and food preferences. She has a limited knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and diversity. Resources that help children learn about other people include a folder of pictures of different people and a selection of books. At Christmas, the children make decorations and visit the local church. However, resources and activities that encourage children to develop a positive attitude to diversity are limited. The childminder has experience of children with learning difficulties and knows about their individual needs. Children visit a local Country Centre and see people with learning difficulties in a working environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour management policy. This states that she is consistent and sets a good example. She uses a range of suitable behaviour strategies. These include talking about taking turns, distraction and praising children for desirable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

If parents are interested in using the childminder's service, they visit her home and browse her information folder. This contains a range of valuable information, such as, routines, house rules and a number of policies and procedures. The childminder offers parents a daily written diary or verbal feedback at the end of the session. This means parents know about important features of their children's care. The childminder has asked parents for written feedback. They like the home from home environment and how the childminder helps the children with their learning.

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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. Children are cared for by a childminder with a number of years experience. They play happily in the childminder's home, enjoy selecting resources and spend their time purposefully. They are good at initiating their own play and learning, yet enjoy the company of other children and readily approach the childminder for guidance.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her registration certificate and has the mandatory documentation in place. This is maintained to a good standard, for example, the record of attendance. Many written policies contribute to and support the care and welfare of the children. These include procedures for lost or uncollected children. The childminder knows about the importance of confidentiality and the children's personal information is securely stored.

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Organisation

Verbal information is shared with parents on a daily basis. This means they know about the service and their child's care. This contributes to and enhances the continuity of the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure all childminding records contain the appropriate detail.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder keeps all her records to a good standard with an appropriate amount of detail. This supports the continuity of the children's care.

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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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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): • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and diversity and ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity • ensure knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children procedures.

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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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