Bell, Sarah

Inspection report for early years provision

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505752 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2005 Inspection date Melissa Tickner Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 7 and five in Crowborough, East Sussex. The whole of the childminder’s house is registered for use for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children aged between 1 and 10, during the day and after school. The childminder drops off and collects children from local schools. The childminder run and attends the local carers group. The family has fish and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association. She is a member of an approved childminding network 'Children come first' and is currently in receipt of funding for nursery education for 3 and 4-year-olds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are beginning to develop a satisfactory awareness of being healthy, through hand washing after toileting and use of flannels by the younger children, and individual hand towels by the older children. The childminder uses appropriate practices to promote good hygiene such as removing food that has fallen on the floor, use of individual bed linen and appropriate methods for nappy changing. This helps contribute to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing healthy eating habits as they are offered daily healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, crackers and rice cakes. Children eat healthy meals such as tuna pasta bake with toast, and enjoy this seated at the table with the childminder supporting them. This ensures children are well nourished and developing an understanding of healthy eating. The childminder has a clear awareness of her minded children's individual dietary requirements and works closely with parents regarding these. Children drink water to stay hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical play opportunities. They walk to school on a daily basis and enjoy outdoor play such as trips to the park. They have use of a trampoline set up for indoor use and attend the carers group weekly where they take part in physical play activities. As a result, they are developing a sense of enjoyment of physical play and are beginning to develop an understanding that physical exercise contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Funded 3 and 4-year-olds are able to make adequate progress in this area of learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe home environment. They have access to an appropriate range of toys, which are organised to encourage children to make choices. The childminder promotes and maintains safety with children appropriately. This happens in practice, for example, use of reins and car seats when going out and checking on sleeping children. This helps teach children to take care of themselves and helps keeps them safe whilst in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has suitable systems in place for ensuring children's safety when on outings, and she keeps children safe through use of buggies and reins. Currently the garden is unsafe due to building work taking place. Whilst this is carried out the childminder explains that she is able to use the park nearby and would ensure children's safety at all times. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of child protection issues, this would help her to safeguard children appropriately. She is also booked to attend a course in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a varied range of toys which are set out at floor level and encourages them to help themselves. They benefit from the childminder's support during their play which helps them achieve and make progress, for example children enjoy painting and leaf printing,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. which the childminder supports. Young children enjoy close contact such as a cuddle and encouragement during activities. This enables children to begin to feel secure and settled. However younger children's development is not always extended due to some activities not being used to their full potential, for example adapting creative activities so they are geared for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. The childminder has been offering funded places to children since September this year. She has developed a set of simple plans which link to themes and the areas of learning. This helps her ensure she provides activities in all areas of learning. Basic observations have been recorded in some areas of learning, although there is room to develop these and ensure assessment records are kept in all areas of learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing personal independence, for example they enjoy wiping up their own paint spills, and help one another remove their shoes. They use the toilet independently and talk about their home lives with confidence. They enjoy looking at books and mark making with paints, pens and pencils. They communicate well with one another at lunch time and enjoy listening to music tapes together. They have opportunities to count, for example counting how many people have finished lunch and plans show other mathematical opportunities are offered. Children enjoy creative play and join in with discussions about their favourite colours when painting. They have a range of resources for role play and are able to play imaginatively. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them, for example looking at spiders webs when outside. They are able to look at other cultures and celebrations and they have the chance

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to use the computer to develop an awareness of technology.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making satisfactory progress towards the Foundation Stage of education, however some areas are not extended. There is room to offer children greater learning opportunities throughout all activities, whether planned or not.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated and well cared for as individuals. Their needs are met well and they are cared for appropriately, for example the childminder recognises when a child is becoming tired and offers her the chance to have a cuddle and they all look at a book together. This helps children feel settled and well supported. As a result, children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. They have access to some resources which reflect diversity, this is helping children begin to learn about the diversity of our society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are encouraged to share and use good manners, for example at lunch time children are encouraged to use good table manners. Their behaviour is managed positively with regular use being made of praise and reinforcement, and clear explanations, to which the children respond well. This shows they are feeling secure and valued. Children are beginning to learn about good behaviour and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. Partnership with parents is good. There are clear methods used to work with parents, they are offered daily verbal feedback and a two way individual care book which records information about children's care and education. This helps ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive regular information about their children. The childminder discusses the nursery education with parents on a one to one basis. She also offers a termly review meeting to look at children's progress and liaises with parents to look at children's next steps, and parents are able to view plans at any stage. This helps parents to feel well informed about their children's learning and progress whilst in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works from a reasonably well organised home environment, which is currently undergoing some structural work. She has most documentation in place, with the exception of some required permission forms and an appropriately maintained register. Documentation is well stored and organised and includes information for parents such as policies and information about her childminding. The childminder has attended a good variety of short training courses, is qualified in childcare and has recently become accredited to offer funded places to minded children. She is committed to attending training and is currently considering systems to review her own strengths and weaknesses as a childminder. As a result of these aspects the childminder is able to demonstrate how she intends to make progress and move forward to improve and build on the care and education she offers to all children. The childminder meets the needs of

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Organisation

the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to keep signed records of medication administration and accidents. She now keeps a National Childminding Association accident, medication and incident record book and this is completed appropriately for all children. This ensures that children's health and safety is given appropriate priority.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has also attended training to become an accredited childminder to offer funded places to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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): • further develop the activities and learning opportunities for the younger children by considering and implementing the Birth to three matters framework • ensure all required permissions and an appropriately completed register are in place

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop and build on planning, observations and knowledge of the foundation stage to provide children with a good variety of learning opportunities in all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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