Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY284225 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and seven years in Brighton. Children have access to the sitting room, one of the bedrooms and kitchen. There is a bathroom on the first floor and there is a garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time, and is currently minding one child under five years, who attends part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with healthy food, such as couscous, raw vegetables and dips, jacket potatoes and soup. They eat fresh fruit at snack time and develop good self help skills as they

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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 help to cut bananas, and serve the fruit when others are present. The childminder ensures that unhealthy snacks, such as crisps are limited. Fresh juice and water are made available throughout the day, and there are systems in place to record children's allergies and dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection, because the childminder follows good hygiene practice, for example, when changing children's nappies. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, although she has not sought written parental consent for children currently attending to receive emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop physical co-ordination as they crawl through a pop up tent and tunnel, which the childminder sets up in the sitting room and the garden. Each day, they enjoy walks to local parks and playgrounds. Consequently, younger children improve their gross motor skills, and develop a positive approach to walking and exercise. In the childminder's garden, children have access to a swing and slide as well as an enclosed trampoline. This provides good opportunities for them to learn how to control their movements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe, because the childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards within her home. For example, they are taught to hold onto the handrail when using the stairs and the steep steps at the front of the house. In addition, the childminder ensures children know the safety rules, such as only two at a time are allowed on the trampoline. There is a satisfactory range of play equipment which is age appropriate and well maintained. Consequently, children develop good personal independence as they help themselves to toys which the childminder sets up in the sitting room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supervised at all times. However, fencing in the childminder's garden has recently blown down, unsafe items are stored at the rear of the garden, and the side gate does not have a lock. This means that the garden is unsafe and a risk to children's security. The childminder does not allow children to use the garden until improvements and repairs have been made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder ensures they stay close to her, and hold the buggy or her hand when crossing the road. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Although local guidance and contact numbers are available, the childminder does not have current child protection documentation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good knowledge of children's favourite activities and resources such as books, puzzles, fuzzy felt, the marble run, drawing, sticking, playing with the trains and cars, and pretending to make 'cups of tea'. She joins in with children's play and introduces elements of learning, for example, counting as they go up and down the stairs, and the number of pieces of banana they are going to eat at snack time. Children develop interest in using different resources such as the play people and dolls house. This is because the childminder makes the resources easily accessible, and helps children to develop their language and express themselves within their play.

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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 The childminder says younger children really like going out, and choosing things to take with them such as wheeled toys and buckets and spades. During the school holidays children are taken on outings to places such as farms, parks and the beach, and enjoy taking the water colour paints, where they paint some of the pebbles. The childminder often visits family members who have their own children, and even if it is raining they put on their Wellington boots and go out.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from weekly visits to toddler groups, because they make friends and build up their confidence as they meet new children, and learn to share. Children enjoy having the opportunity to choose what they want to do, and consequently develop independence within their play. Children's scrap books show evidence of them taking part in a good range of activities within the childminder's home, for example, hand painting, playdough, collage, and cooking. In addition, the childminder helps children develop their hand and eye co-ordination and learn to sort, through using simple computer programmes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder says that children are happy and settled because she provides a daily routine that they enjoy, such as walking to and from school. Younger children learn to share and take turns, because the childminder encourages them to share the resources, and help with everyday tasks. Good behaviour is encouraged because the childminder praises children, and feels it is important to talk to them about what is expected and to understand right from wrong. Children are given stickers which help them to feel proud of their successes and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms good relationships with parents, and gives them support and guidance about how to help children make developmental progress. This encourages children to do things for themselves and feel a sense of achievement. The childminder says this is evident as younger children often say 'I did it', for example, as they hang up their own coats, put on their shoes, use the potty and wash their own hands.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about differences through using resources such as books, dressing up clothes and play people that reflect positive images. They take part in activities, such as making candles for 'Diwali', and talk about the meaning of festivals. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, she discusses any developmental concerns with parents, and with their consent, liaises with other agencies to ensure children are referred for assessment. The childminder helps children make progress by implementing any developmental goals.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is set up in a comfortable and welcoming way. She uses the kitchen table for mealtimes, and ensures all children are included by providing appropriate seating for younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps scrap books which include photographs and written observations of children's individual progress. These are shared with parents so that they are kept well informed about children's activities, including clear goals for development.

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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 Comprehensive written policies and procedures are shared with parents. These include information about the children's day, relationships with parents, documents and records, behaviour, complaints, meals and charges, accidents, incidents and sickness. The childminder makes effective use of the policies to ensure children's safety and welfare, and most record keeping systems are in place. However, the attendance register is not currently available for inspection and the certificate of registration is kept in a folder and is not currently displayed. 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 agreed to make the garden pond safe or inaccessible to children, and improve fire safety. Smoke alarms have been fitted on each level of the home, which the childminder tests at the beginning of each month, and a fire blanket is available in the kitchen. In addition the garden pond has been filled in. This means that the risks to children's safety have been reduced.

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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. 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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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): • seek written parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment • obtain current child protection documentation • make the garden safe and secure • display the registration certificate at all times children are present and ensure all records are made available for inspection

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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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