Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311528 Inspection date 07 March 2006 Inspector Christine Clint

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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 2005. She lives with her two children, one of whom attends school, in the residential area of Rose Green, close to the town of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. The whole of the childminder's property is used for childminding with the exception of her bedroom. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property. The childminder is currently caring for one child, every day, before and after school. She attends the local toddler group, takes the children to the local library and parks,

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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 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has completed the Introducing Childminding Practice course and has a current certificate in first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children wash their hands regularly before meals, they are reminded to take responsibility themselves and the childminder has effective methods to ensure that they complete the task. She talks about how the soap smells and how she can smell the children's hands if they have used the soap. She explains about germs and sends children back to use the soap again. Children are confidently managing to use the bathroom on their own. Children's health is clearly supported by the full range of written permission from parents and the documentation in place for accidents and medication. The childminder has a good understanding of when to use these and she also has information for parents regarding the attendance of sick children. The incubation and exclusion times for common illnesses are available. A first aid kit is readily accessible in the kitchen and the childminder has attended first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eagerly ask for raw carrots when they see the childminder preparing carrots for dinner, she happily gives them each a carrot. Children enjoy healthy meals with several different fresh vegetables. They sit together and the childminder eats with them every day. Children talk about their food and show interest, they are gently encouraged to try a little of everything and the childminder offers very frequent and effective praise. They learn about vitamins and relate these to 'vitamin jellies'. They eat well and they are learning to socialise at meal times. Children talk about drinking water and know it is good for them. Children walk to and from school every day. They visit the park regularly to use up their energy. They are learning new physical skills by using the play equipment in the park. They go swimming every week and have opportunities to play football and dig in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safely cared for in the ground floor property, they have sufficient space and use most rooms. They have access to a secure rear garden with a wide variety of appropriate play equipment, including a wooden play house. Children can readily choose from any resources within the home, as these are all placed accessibly at their level in the sitting room. Children can also easily access any play equipment from the bedroom. Children's safety is adequately maintained because the childminder has completed a fire risk assessment, she has a fire plan and an emergency escape procedure, with a

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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 list of emergency contacts. She has positioned a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms are situated in two areas on the ground floor, however the smoke alarms are not in working order. Children are well supervised and the childminder continually monitors their movements, she listens to children's play and she protects them by not allowing them in the kitchen while she is cooking. However, security within the home is less consistent because children can easily open the front door and the front garden is not fenced. Children's welfare is soundly understood and the childminder fully understands that family confidences cannot be maintained if children's protection is at risk. She shows a confident awareness of her duty to respond and to follow the procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have freedom to choose resources and the childminder suggests activities and interests for children according to their needs. Children laugh and shout, they hide under a cover and pretend to be a monster, they are lively and excitable. They wear dressing up clothes and talk about being a spaceman. They begin to colour pictures, when the childminder suggests this to calm them down. Children are involved, they sit on the floor with junk modelling material and sort through many items. They begin to stick plastic bottles and cardboard boxes together with sticky tape. They negotiate with each other and ask for help; the childminder prepares the sticky tape for them. They freely use the glitter and talk about a collage picture they made previously with the childminder. Children talk about the models they have made and they explain how they work. The childminder praises

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and encourages them and she displays the models. Children are learning to help tidy up before meal times, they are beginning to work together as a team and the childminder recognises their efforts. Children's emotional and social needs are competently managed and they are given individual attention at times for reassurance and when they need affection. The childminder dedicates her time to the children's after school care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have equal opportunities to participate in all activities and they are strongly encouraged to consider each other during their play. They learn about other cultures through books in different languages; the childminder uses these to explain that there are different people all around the world. Children are entirely accepted for themselves and the childminder offers understanding and a flexible approach. Children are valued and very frequently praised, they are guided in their behaviour,

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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 because the childminder is involved and listens to what they say. She uses reward stickers for encouragement and has a calm approach. Children's attention is gained through frequent eye contact and very appropriate explanation. Children are busy and involved, they are happy to be distracted with another appropriate activity and the childminder motivates and challenges them with ideas. Children are settled and happy because there are well established relationships in place with parents. Parents are able to see the childminder's portfolio, which contains written information about the child care she offers. There are well organised systems for the collection of children and all documentation and relevant permission from parents is in place. Parents are able to give written details of their child's preferences,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

especially regarding food and drink. The childminder provides daily diary sheets to pass on any information from the school, to record what children have eaten and which activities they have enjoyed. Parents have opportunities to learn about the updated regulations because the childminder includes this information in her portfolio and the procedure for making a complaint. Parents have access to a list of relevant contact numbers, including the Ofsted helpline. The childminder is very aware about maintaining confidentiality and she provides reassurance for parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are appropriately cared for in the family home because the childminder understands her responsibility to supervise them at all times. She has all documentation available to show her registration as a childminder and to show her suitability. She has completed the mandatory training course for childminding and has gained a certificate in first aid. There is a register in place which provides the times of children's daily attendance and all record forms containing children's details are readily available. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 that smoke alarms are maintained in working condition • ensure that the premises are secure and that children cannot open the front door

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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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