Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY299089 Unique Reference Number 28 July 2005 Inspection date Kerry Iden 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 2005. She lives and works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. They live with their three school aged children in a house in Northchapel, Petworth close to local schools, shops, and parks. The ground floor is used for childminding. There is a rear enclosed garden available 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 and is currently minding five children one full time, four on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and organises other social opportunities with other childminders.

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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 healthy and thrive in the setting because the childminder follows highly effective hygiene procedures. The children are encouraged to follow the procedures and are able to help with preparing the table before a cooking activity or before lunch. The children are developing their self care skills and increasing their independence when toileting and washing their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy and appetising meals, lunches are prepared freshly every day. They are varied and consist of family type meals such as fish cakes, pasta bakes, roast dinners or casserole. At tea time children enjoy sitting down to a picnic type tea before they go home. The childminder talks to the parents to ensure dietary needs are met and likes and dislikes are taken into consideration. Snack and meal times are sociable times for the children. They chat in a relaxed manner between themselves and with the childminder which builds their self confidence and encourages language development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Time is scheduled into every day for the children to receive fresh air and physical challenge. There are a range of activities for the children, for example throwing and catching in the garden. This aids the children in hand eye co-ordination. The childminder also offers walks through the woods or into the children's play park to develop their physical ability. Children are also able to partake in dancing and movement activities in the house, helping them develop and sense of rhythm and spacial awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The house has been set up so the lounge / diner is a child-centred environment, with appropriate child sized table and seating where they can comfortably and safely carry out their chosen activity. Children are encouraged to put away their toys; open shelving and suitable storage containers make it easy for the children to achieve this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to learn, play and move around freely, safely and independently as the childminder has minimised most risks within the home. In the garden a high drop from the patio poses a risk to children, as does some low level hazardous materials in the bathroom. The childminder does have a good understanding of supervising the children well in these areas. Detailed safety procedures for the use of the car and when walking with the children ensures the children are kept safe and can gradually develop some independence, for example as they choose to hold hands or use a wrist strap. In the play park children are able to take supervised risks in a safe environment developing their self confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder's clear understanding and knowledge of the correct child protection procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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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 confident and have good self esteem. The childminder has a good understanding of children's developmental needs and participates fully during activities enhancing the children's enjoyment further. Children have many opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills and progress well in all areas in a stimulating and exciting environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is lots of meaningful conversation and good interaction between the children and their childminder. She makes good eye contact with them, plays at their level and strongly supports them at all times. She is affectionate and consistent; she organises the routines to ensure all children enjoy one to one time and group activities. The children laugh and smile at the childminder and show affection as they cuddle up to her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children achieve well because the childminder sets them realistic challenge in their activities. For example, she encourages a child to climb the steps to the top of the slide for the first time. The child showed sheer delight as she reached the top of the stairs unaided, allowing the child to feel confident in their own ability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are treated as individuals; their personal routines are identified and activities are adapted to ensure all children reach their full potential. There are many opportunities through activities, resources and outings for the children to develop a sense of belonging as they begin to understand the world around them. For example, as the childminder is very much part of the village she regularly takes the children to see different things going on in the community. This includes observing the lambing at a neighbours house, talking to other people when taking the children to their allotment and chatting to neighbours on the way to the park. This enables children to develop an understanding of their community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are built with the parents. They receive detailed information when their child starts and daily written feedback about their child's day when they collect their children to ensure consistency in their care. The childminder works with the parents' wishes to enhance the children's time within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they have realistic behaviour guidelines with simple house rules to follow. The emphasis is on praising the positive and building the children's self esteem. They are encouraged to share, take turns and look after each other. They respond well to the positive praise and incentive charts they receive from their childminder which develops their self esteem and encourages future positive behaviour.

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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. The childminder plans and prepares the space and resources well before the children arrive to ensure they receive her full attention. Children are kept safe from other adults by good supervision from the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder has designed her own policies and has all the relevant documentation in place to support the efficient running of her service. This enables the childminder to care for the children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended relevant courses such as first aid and the Introduction to Childminding Practice, which enables her to knowledgably support the children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of the requirements of her registration. This ensures the children are kept safe and that overall the needs of the range of children are met.

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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 hazardous materials are not in reach of children in the bathroom • ensure children's safety in relation to using the patio area of the garden

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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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