Mrs Paula Tracey Longford

Inspection report for early years provision

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130982 Unique Reference Number 05 May 2006 Inspection date Lisa Toole 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 1989. She lives with her husband, 2 adult children, of whom 1 is her assistant, and 1 child aged 13 years, in Brighton, East Sussex. The majority of the property is used for childminding and there is a rear 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 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 7 children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Well established hygiene routines enable children to learn about the importance of washing their hands to encourage them to help maintain good health. The childminder's understanding

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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 of good hygiene is reflected in her daily practice. She uses effective nappy changing routines and cleans the toys and play resources on a regular basis to help prevent the spread of infection. She ensures children have access to a clean and hygienic environment to help them to begin to understand the importance of good hygiene and keeping healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder prepares nutritious meals for children that are provided by parents, and supplements meals with a healthy range of snacks such as fresh fruit and raw vegetables. All the children are encouraged to have regular refreshments throughout the day to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated. Younger children are held close while they are fed and given their bottle of milk, helping to create a secure bond and sense of belonging for the infant.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who is responsive to their emotional needs, offering lots of attention and cuddles. Children have regular opportunities for physical play, whether it is on walks around the local area, on trips to the seafront or using the range of play equipment available in the rear garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a warm and welcoming play area with enough space for them to explore and move around freely. There is a wide range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources that are organised to ensure they are easily accessible to children to encourage independence and freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder talks to children about safety issues, such as how to cross roads safely, which encourages them to gain an understanding of the world around them. She has reduced most potential hazards to children in the home with safe storage and the use of cupboard catches in the kitchen, which help ensure the children are protected and kept safe. However, the pond and water feature are at a low level and are accessible to children, which impacts on their safety when outside in the garden. There are clear procedures in place for outings that ensure children's safety is paramount and children are strapped appropriately in car seats for their own wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has an understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of the procedures to follow should she have any cause for concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. Children are well cared for and benefit from the childminder's caring and protective nature. The childminder spends a lot of time sitting playing with the children, chatting and singing with them and mimicking the sounds that babies make, which helps develop their communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a variety of activities and experiences that are adapted to ensure that they are age appropriate and all the children have the opportunity to achieve. Children go on trips and outings around the local area; they do art and craft activities, play with sand and

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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 water, learning about floating and sinking, as well as threading activities to develop their hand to eye co-ordination. Children are able to make decisions for themselves about what they do and play with. The good range of toys and equipment is easily accessible to the children and offers children stimulation and challenge, while toys for younger babies are set out within easy reach to enable them to play while they are not yet mobile.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves and the childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities. The children have access to a suitable range of resources that promote equality and reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder has little experience of caring for children with special educational needs and has an open and receptive understanding of how she would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs could be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Clear behavioural boundaries are in place that help children learn right from wrong. The childminder offers consistency and good explanations for any unwanted behaviour. She offers all the children lots of praise and encouragement to help increase their confidence and develop their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes a positive relationship with the children's parents. They are kept well informed about their child's day through verbal feedback and the childminder would also contact parents by telephone if there was anything in particular that she needed to discuss with them. The childminder uses thorough settling in procedures to ensure that children are fully secure in her care and that she has had the opportunity to gather all necessary information about them to support her in her care of them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All of the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place; it is being accurately maintained and stored securely for confidentiality. Children are given the opportunity to develop and enjoy their time in the childminder's care due to the well organised space, time and resources on offer. They receive caring and reassuring adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder has made her home a safe and secure environment, with the exception of the hazard relating to the garden pond.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and is able to tend to the children's needs in the event of a medical emergency as she has a current first aid certificate. She ensures that children are protected from people that are not vetted, and has a good understanding of her childminding role and responsibilities.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set four recommendations relating to documentation and hazards associated with wires in the conservatory. Since the last inspection the childminder has ensured that prior medical consent is obtained to administer medication, written child records are in place for all minded children and the car insurance includes business use. The wires in the conservatory no longer present a hazard to minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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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 the pond and water feature in the garden does not present a hazard to children.

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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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