Cameron, Samantha Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303531 Inspection date 06 December 2005 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and one child, aged 20 months. They live in a bungalow in a residential area in Hailsham, close to schools, shops, and parks. The majority of the property is used for childminding, including a bedroom, lounge, and dining room. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged under 7 years, both of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with special needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and homely setting. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring the children play in a very clean and hygienic environment. This includes good practices when nappy changing. Children learn about good hygiene through effective everyday routines such as hand washing. The childminder makes effective use of storybooks that deal with health topics to develop children’s understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. This includes discussing germs, healthy eating, and the need to brush their teeth. Children eat healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder takes into account any dietary requirements that individual children have, to ensure she meets their needs. Children develop a good understanding of healthy eating as they chat with the childminder about what is good to eat whilst helping to make the meals and taking part in cooking activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children develop well, learning how they can use their bodies as they explore the surroundings and the resources. The children enjoy regular daily outdoor activities in the garden and at parks, which contributes to their good health and improves their physical skills. Effective procedures carried out by the childminder help protect children from illness and infection. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's health by daily written feedback. This enables the parents and childminder to work together effectively to promote children's well being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised home where risks are minimised effectively. This includes the use of finger-guards to prevent children trapping their hands in doors. The childminder uses the dining room as a play area for the children. Here they play safely with a good variety of suitable and age-appropriate toys. Older children learn that they need to keep their toys away from the babies so play in a different area or room. This prevents young children from accessing small parts, which could cause choking. Children develop an awareness of fire safety as they practice fire evacuation with the childminder. They learn to keep themselves safe as they cross roads and walk around the local area. The childminder reinforces issues with them such as stranger danger as they go on outings. These all contribute well to children’s understanding of

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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 how to keep themselves safe in different situations. An area of weakness for outings is the lack of a first aid kit to enable the childminder to administer treatment in the event a child has an accident. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has sufficient knowledge of what to do if she suspects a child is being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident and settled. The good use of the child-friendly environment helps them feel welcome. The childminder promotes this sense of belonging by including a display of minded children’s pictures and collages on the walls. The children enjoy being with the childminder and have warm, affectionate relationships with her. The children play well together and become absorbed in activities they have chosen. They have a broad range of good quality toys and activities, which they enjoy. They play independently but also gain from good adult support as the childminder plays with them. They enjoy playing with the puppets, singing and responding to them. Effective interaction from the childminder ensures children learn as they play. Toddlers enjoy cuddling up with the childminder to look at books, ‘chattering’ and making sounds as they discover the next picture on the page. Toddlers have fun

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

exploring a good variety of sensory toys. The childminder responds well to these younger children as they make their needs known, for example, when they cannot get a toy to work. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills as they attend various toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted well by the use of a good range of resources, some of which include images of disability. The childminder makes good use of a local toy library to extend these resources so the children experience a wide variety of equipment. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way. She extends children’s understanding of diversity through some activities so that they learn how other people live. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder and parents work closely together to support children and meet their individual needs. The childminder has experience of working with children with special needs and provides the appropriate care and support. Activities are adapted as necessary to ensure all children are included and enjoying their time with her. There is a daily verbal exchange of information to help provide consistent care for each child. The written

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care diaries keep parents informed of the child’s day, including details of toileting,

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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 feeding, and activities enjoyed. Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder generally explains about right and wrong to them. She ensures that she works with parents to help and support any child who is having difficulties.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a well-organised environment and day. They receive good adult support and attention, which helps them feel secure and settled. All the relevant and required documents are in place and are well maintained. The childminder has some informative written policies, which cover certain aspects of her childminding practice. The childminder makes new parents aware of these policies by showing them her file and discussing its contents with them. This enables parents to have a good overall understanding of the childminder's service. Overall, she has good procedures in place to enable children to be cared for appropriately, with one weakness relating to consent for the seeking of emergency medical treatment. The childminder continues to keep up to date with her practices by attending further training including course on puppets, food hygiene, and Birth to three matters. This

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Organisation

increasing knowledge results in the childminder continuing to improve her care of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that a first aid kit is available on outings • obtain written parental consent for emergency medical treatment.

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The quality and standards of the care

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