Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY354357 Unique Reference Number 19 August 2008 Inspection date Bridget Richardson 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 24 and five years in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The environment is clean and tidy and children receive appropriate support to develop good personal hygiene. For example, the childminder reminds and supports children to wash their

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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 hands before meals, after messy activities and toileting. However, children do not have individual hand towels to help minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a dog, which has regular check ups at the vets to ensure that it is in suitable health to be around children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a relevant first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Children who are infectious do not attend, this helps to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual dietary and medical needs are met. The childminder has effective storage procedures for children whose parents prefer to send their children with lunch boxes to prevent food from spoiling. Children can help themselves to a drink whenever they need one and the childminder encourages children to drink plenty, especially in warm weather to prevent dehydration. Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play freely. Toys and resources are easily accessible at all times. Children are able to help themselves, are interested, and want to play with what is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children well, talking with them about how to keep themselves safe whilst in her care. She has completed a visual risk assessment on her home and has generally minimised risks well to ensure children's safety. For example, plug sockets are made safe, front door is kept locked, fire-fighting equipment is suitably fitted and an emergency evacuation procedure is in place. The childminder supervises children when using the garden at all times. However, the gates leading out of the garden are not locked and ivy growing in the garden may pose a hazard to children. There are clear procedures in place for outings that help to ensure children's safety. They learn about road safety and how to keep themselves safe when out with the childminder. However, permissions for taking photos and using the trampoline are not in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has a concern about a child in her care. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare when with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children in the childminder's care benefit from a caring and friendly relationship. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and are confident enough to initiate communication and ask for support and reassurance. The childminder interacts positively with children and actively listens to what children have to say and encourages them to talk about themselves and their experiences. This gives children opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings and to feel valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are fully involved and interested in the various activities available to them because the childminder joins in and consistently talks to them about what they are doing. They develop

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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 confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care, love and attention they receive from the childminder. Good relationships are in place with the childminder and between the children; they enjoy each other's company and have fun together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children receive plenty of warm, individual attention, which enables them to extend their learning and experiences. They have a good range of opportunities to make progress in all areas of development and the routine follows their individual needs, which enables them to enjoy busy and quiet times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children talk happily to the childminder about their home life and things that are important to them. They have access to a range of resources that help develop children's understanding of diversity. The childminder praises and encourages children appropriately, which helps children develop a positive image. She takes time to find out about children's individual needs prior to them attending and works closely with parents to ensure that these can be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children that she cares for well and takes their age and stage of development in to account when dealing with behavioural issues. She is confident to use a wide range of strategies and ensures children are well supervised at all times so that any minor behavioural issues can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks with parents at the beginning and end of each session children attend to ensure children's needs are met. She makes herself available at different times of the day for private discussions with parents and updates written documentation on children as and when required or requested by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good support from the childminder, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder organises her home well to meet the individual needs of the children she cares for. As a result, children are very much at home, lead in their play and are confident to ask for what they want.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed a first aid course that includes training in first aid for babies and young children and an introducing childminding course. These have enabled her to develop her childminding practices within the home. The childminder displays her certificate of registration and maintains an accurate record of attendance. She stores the children's personal information securely and understands the importance of confidentiality. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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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

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 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 hand washing facilities to help minimise the risk of cross infection • ensure the garden is secure and that ivy growing in the garden does not pose a hazard to children • ensure relevant permissions are in place for all children to ensure parents are clearly informed at all times.

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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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