Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY367269 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2008 Inspection date Helen Penticost Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years of age and 18 months old, in Horsham, West Sussex. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum four children at any one time and she is currently caring for three children on a part time basis. The childminder is not registered for overnight care. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has no pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable, family home where regular routines to maintain hygiene are thoroughly followed. Clear hygiene routines are also in place for the children, for example, as they use anti bacterial hand gel when they come in from the garden. The childminder encourages them to say 'rub a dub dub' as they rub their hands together. The childminder has

p.2

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 many other clear hygiene routines in place, such as good hygiene practices around nappy changing.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is effectively managed because all accidents are recorded and parents sign to acknowledge this. A first aid kit is immediately available and the childminder has up-to-date training in first aid. All procedures are in place if any medication is required, the childminder is very aware of the regulations; she provides clear information for parents to explain these procedures. There is also written information to inform parents that children cannot attend if they are infectious. However, the childminder does not request written parental permission for the possible seeking of emergency treatment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy sociable meal times around the dining table, with younger children secured safely in high chairs. Many children benefit from the menu the childminder provides. The childminder ensures that the menu is flexible and if the children wish to make, for example, pizzas she will enable this to happen. The childminder is equally happy to store and serve food prepared by the parents. The childminder discusses all dietary needs with all the parents. Children prepare their own snack consisting of varying fruit, which they cut up under the supervision of the childminder. All children are encouraged to feed themselves, with some assistance from the childminder if needed. Children have regular drinks throughout the day in appropriate, lidded cups. The childminder tops up the cups and reminds children to drink.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample opportunities for physical development. They play in the garden as much as they can, with access to many activities. Children also spend time away from the setting on outings to varying play parks, farms, the seaside and soft play centres.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the property. The family home is given over to childminding, where the conservatory has been set up as a creative area. Children's art work is displayed on the walls, as well as brightly coloured posters and labelling on draw units. Open shelving allows children to see what toys are available and offers some self selection of equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Play equipment in the setting is clean and well maintained. There is a very good variety of equipment, both inside and out, and the childminder rotates with the children different equipment through the course of the day. Children can access a lot of equipment themselves or ask the childminder for items out of their reach. Children's safety is paramount to the childminder, additional safety aids have been added, such as stair gates to help keep the children safe. Children are learning to keep themselves safe from the clear instructions they receive from their childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully considered because the childminder feels secure about recognising signs and symptoms that may cause her concern and has written information for parents to explain her duty to safeguard children and refer any concerns. She is willing to record any injuries that children have on arrival, and to discuss these with parents.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and secure, developing strong relationships with the childminder and her children. Their achievements are celebrated because the childminder is warm and caring as she provides rich learning opportunities and experiences for children. The childminder provides good quality creative activities for children to create masterpieces, such as their glass decorations. The childminder shares her time equally between the children and praises what that they do, commenting upon and developing their own ideas as they play. As a result of her input, children enjoy new experiences, learn to concentrate and develop their communication and social skills as they learn to cooperate together. Younger children are supported well to enable them to join in creative activities. For example, the childminder has photographs of all children undertaking a cooking activity and also creating glitter pictures.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children quickly develop their social and physical skills and their appreciation of the outdoors because the childminder provides a wealth of experiences for children, both within the home, in the locality and within the local childminding support groups. The childminder has a very good grasp of the Birth to three matters framework and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is making daily written and photographic observations of what children do and is able to document their progress. The childminder makes simple activity plans each day and adapts these according to children's individual routines and choices so that toddlers' needs for rest are met and their achievements are built upon.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well mannered and considerate towards adults and each other. They behave very well and this reflects the childminder's calm, consistent and respectful example. Children develop confidence and positive self-esteem as the childminder offers regular praise and encouragement. Individual achievements are enthusiastically celebrated by everyone and the childminder uses stickers and reward sticker charts. Young children happily share, take turns and play together cooperatively with discreet supervision from the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals and very warmly welcomed by the childminder. They enjoy opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and appropriate support agencies.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is effective, trusting, friendly and professional. A comprehensive information pack and detailed and well organised record keeping ensure that all relevant information is shared. Parents are informed about their child's day through informal chats, a daily diary, photographs and regular reviews to discuss any possible changes to the children's care needs. The childminder makes observations and completes assessment records. All of this provides a two-way flow of information about individual children's diet, activities, celebrations or concerns and promotes good continuity of care for children. Comments from parents state that the childminder is 'adaptable and full of good ideas for entertaining children.'

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and her good knowledge and awareness of how children progress at different rates, according to their individual needs, underpins her good

p.4

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 childminding practice. This enhances the overall quality of care that she provides for children. The childminder's enthusiasm and energy creates a lively, friendly environment where children thrive. She attends training on a regular basis and is strongly committed towards continuing her own professional development.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder's policies and procedures are available for parents. These are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to include any amendments or changes in regulation. The childminder is well organised and keeps clear records to share information with parents and safeguard the children in her care. These include an appropriate complaints procedure. However, the registration record is not completed in ink and could therefore be altered. The childminder makes good use of local facilities, such as the toy library and parks. Young children regularly join their friends at toddler groups, where they adjust to being part of a large group with discreet support from the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

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. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 that written parental permission is sought for the possible seeking of emergency treatment • ensure that the register of children's attendance is completed in ink

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5