Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359257 Unique Reference Number 12 May 2008 Inspection date June Fielden 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and seven in Maindenbower, Crawley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus two bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time. The childminder walks to the local school, parks and shops. She regularly attends toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. Sick children are excluded by the childminder to protect others from infection. She has a current first aid certificate to enable her to handle minor injuries, and written permission is obtained from parents for the emergency medical treatment of children. The childminder has some appropriate hygiene routines in place to

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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 maintain children's health, such as keeping tables and work tops clean, and regularly changing children's nappies. However, she does not ensure that children wash their hands before eating snacks, in order to prevent the risk of infection. The childminder's accident record is suitably completed to ensure children's well-being. However, she does not obtain prior written permission from parents before administering medication to children, which is a breach of regulations, and impacts on their welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a balanced diet by the childminder. They are offered a cooked lunch that is made from fresh ingredients, and are given healthy snacks. Drinks are always accessible to children, to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder obtains details of children's allergies when minding commences, to ensure their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered appropriate opportunities to exercise and keep fit by playing with the selection of toys available to them in the childminder's garden. They regularly visit toddler groups, where they can socialise with other children while using the equipment they provide. Children visit the local parks and the supermarket. If children are tired they use two of the childminder's bedrooms to sleep in. There is a travel cot available for very young children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely in the childminder's living room, selecting the toys they wish to play with. There is a wide range of resources that are appropriate for all children's needs. The childminder ensures that toys and equipment conform to safety standards when they are purchased, and stores them in a manner that makes them easily accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some effective measures in place to ensure children's safety. She has an emergency escape plan, carries out regular risk assessments and smoke alarms are fitted on both floors of her home. However, there are some minor hazards in her living room which affect children's safety, as there is a marble fireplace and some wire that is accessible to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She understands how to record any worries she has about children in her care, and knows how to report her concerns to the appropriate authority when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with well organised opportunities to develop their skills and abilities. They are encouraged to be creative by using paint, play dough and colouring materials. The childminder gives equal attention to all children, remaining close by to support the younger ones in their play. She raises children's self-esteem by listening to them and showing interest in what they have to say. Children are provided with stimulating toys that make sounds and speak to them. For example, one child happily copied the movements of a doll that could sing and dance. Children develop their imagination as they climb on large toy ponies and pretend to ride them. The childminder sits younger children on her lap to assist them in their role play, while they feed their dolls and place them in a baby carrier. She knows children well and helps them to find their favourite pages in the books they are looking at. The childminder regularly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

takes children on healthy walks to places of interest.

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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. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder. She recognises that they have different needs according to their age and level of understanding. The childminder liaises with parents to find out as much as possible about their individual needs, whether they require comforters, their likes and fears. She has an efficient selection of toys to raise children's awareness of other cultures, but lacks resources to promote their understanding of disabilities. The childminder does not currently have children with learning difficulties or disabilities on roll, but has a good understanding of how to provide appropriate care for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through the daily diaries which the childminder keeps for each child. These tell them what their child has been doing, the sleeps they have had and what they have eaten. Parents know that they can call the childminder at anytime, and she often texts them during the day, to let them know that their children are enjoying themselves. Parents have been made aware of the childminder's complaints procedure, to inform them how she will handle any concerns that are raised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective strategies are used for managing children's behaviour. The childminder distracts younger children and explains the importance of sharing to the older ones, letting them know why they cannot do something. Positive behaviour is promoted by clapping and cheering children when they do something well, making them feel good about themselves.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safe when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. Her register of attendance is appropriately completed, showing children's times of arrival and departure. The childminder has a service statement, sample menus and a selection of policies and procedures to show new parents, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. Her certificate of registration is on display, to ensure parents know the conditions under which she operates. The childminder's records are kept up to date, and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 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): • obtain prior written permission before all medication is administered • ensure children wash their hands before eating snacks • ensure the living room is free from hazards • obtain resources that promote children's understanding of disability.

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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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