Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292890 Inspection date 12 September 2005 Inspector Felicity Gaff

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two young children in Crawley, West Sussex. All of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and three cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on five days a week as well as three children over five before and after school and during school holidays. She drives to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of two local childminding

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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 groups and also takes children to parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is supported well because the childminder offers a very clean and well-organised home. She maintains all the required documentation and also has clear written policies and procedures to safeguard children's welfare. Children learn very good personal hygiene routines and the childminder provides skilful support. For example, a two year old child showed confidence and pride in toileting and washing her own hands independently while the childminder gave reassurance and occasional verbal reminders. Children learn about healthy eating as they share an interesting variety of different fruit at snack time. The childminder plans a well-balanced menu of home-cooked food for the children and the menu is displayed to keep parents informed of what their children eat. Children enjoy active physical play both within the home and through regular outings to parks, playgrounds and

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Helping children to be healthy

toddler groups. There are generally appropriate procedures for caring for pets although animal food is not always removed from areas used by children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm, welcoming and attractive environment which is very well-organised to keep them safe indoors and out. They develop their independence as they confidently select their own activities from a wide range of attractively presented books and play materials which are of high quality and in good condition. There is suitable furniture and equipment that allows all the children to sit together safely for meals and craft activities to ensure all are included. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example by doing up safety belts, and enjoy helping to do these themselves. The childminder uses precautions such as door chains and gates routinely and effectively to reduce hazards to children on the premises and acts promptly to minimise any risks she has identified. She is proactive in updating her awareness of child protection issues by seeking out and attending

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

training courses which enhances the service she is able to provide for children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress because she arranges a rich, stimulating environment. She plans what children will do by arranging a programme of suitable themes and uses 'Birth to three matters' effectively to ensure the youngest children's needs are well met. Children settle easily into her home because she provides interesting activities and organises her time well to give them a great deal of attention. They participate enthusiastically in

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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 planned art and craft activities where they learn to share and take turns. The childminder uses these opportunities very well to help children learn social conventions. Children reflect her good example as they spontaneously use 'please' and 'thank you' as they talk to each other. However, some activities are over directed and give children too few choices in what they do and how they solve problems. The childminder provides a good range of attractive books which the children enjoy independently as well as to share. For example, a one-year-old child showed familiarity with story conventions by using appropriate cadences as he 'read' a favourite book to himself. Children play contentedly both independently and alongside each other; they persevere in what they do and take delight in challenges

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have an excellent range of opportunities to learn to understand their own needs and those of other people. Displays and planned activities present positive images of ethnic and cultural diversity and of disability. Children take an active role in the community as they participate in open days at a care home for elderly people. The childminder welcomes children with special needs and has some experience of caring for a child with additional needs. She plans ahead to ensure that she will be able to meet individual requirements effectively and to ensure all children are fully included. The childminder works closely with the children to help them learn how to behave. She has realistic expectations and is quick to recognise when children are ready to move on from an activity; this helps to keep them interested and avoids frustration. Her gentle, courteous approach provides an excellent role model and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children reflect her good example. For example, two year old children praise each others efforts. Children enjoy each other's company and play harmoniously together. Children's welfare is enhanced by the excellent partnership the childminder forges with parents. Parents are kept fully informed about what their children do and the service the childminder offers. In addition to the comprehensive written records and authorisations, parents receive an informative monthly newsletter about the childminding service provided. Verbal exchanges of information are augmented by a detailed daily diary for parents of babies and toddlers; this is also provided for older children should the parents wish. Parents value the high quality care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder takes positive steps to develop her expertise and improve the service she provides to children and their families. She plans ahead to make sure she will be able to meet parents' requirements, for example by applying for variations to her conditions of registration well in advance. She is proactive in seeking out and taking full advantage of available training opportunities. In addition to completing her NVQ Level 3 in Childminding Practice she has attended many short training events and is also undertaking an approved quality assurance scheme. This helps her

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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 develop her professional skills to enhance the care she offers. She plans and prepares meals in advance so that children are able to enjoy home-cooked meals while she is still available to play with them. She plans themes and activities to meet the needs of all the children who attend and uses 'Birth to three matters' to ensure the needs of the youngest children are met appropriately. She keeps very good records of what children do and achieve and shares these with parents to keep them informed of the progress children make. She makes excellent use of the available space to provide a bright, welcoming and child-friendly environment. 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 obtain authorisation for medication and for emergency medical treatment. The documentation to promote children's welfare has now been improved in that written parental authorisation is in place before any medication is given and prior permission is sought for any emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there has been one complaint concerning Standard 6: Safety and Standard 13: Child Protection. Ofsted visited the childminder who agreed to carry out one action under Standard 6 in order to ensure she met the National Standards. This was to improve the supervision of children in the car. She has now carried out the action and remains qualified for registration.

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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 children do not have access to animal food.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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