Stevenson, Jean Frances

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311586 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Gill Moore

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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 satisfactory. 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 partner and 2 children, 1 of whom is under 8 years, in a property in Hambrook within walking distance of local schools and parks. The whole of the property is used for minding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 8 years who attends on a part time basis. The family do not have any pets.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of following good hygiene procedures and are encouraged to follow good hygiene practices as they talk about why it is important to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. They stay healthy because the childminder implements effective health and hygiene policies and procedures and has a good understanding of their individual health and dietary requirements. She has a relevant up to date first aid certificate and deals with accidents appropriately sharing this information effectively with parents, although records do not include children's full names. Children's health is not assured in an emergency situation because written consent has not been obtained from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. Children begin to develop their understanding as the childminder talks to them about what foods help their bodies to grow. A healthy balanced diet is promoted as the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is happy to provide all meals and snacks for children, including a range of vegetables and fruits, although children currently being cared for bring their own tea to the childminder's home. Children benefit from regular physical activities helping to increase their awareness of the importance of exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The childminder makes good use of her garden enabling children to use large equipment, such as the trampoline, swings and see saw as well as enjoying opportunities to use bats and balls, developing their co-ordination. Children enjoy regular visits to local parks, walks along the beach and visits to country parks, including Moors Valley, where they exercise in the fresh air and develop their physical skills using a variety of apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn how to take care of themselves and keep safe, for example they regularly discuss the procedure should emergency evacuation be necessary, although have not yet practised this. They know the areas they are allowed to play in within the childminder's home and garden and recognise the potential dangers that lie beyond the boundaries of these, for example cars outside. Children's safety is ensured because the childminder has a good understanding of the potential dangers and hazards to children and removes these. Dangerous substances and sharp knives are inaccessible to children and plug sockets and fires are covered ensuring their safety. Children are kept safe when playing outside and when on outings because the childminder implements informal risk assessments before children access these areas. The garden is secure and locks are placed on gates together with a bell alerting the childminder if this is opened, which contributes to ensuring

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's safety. Written permission is obtained from parents to allow their child to go on visits with the childminder and to travel in her car. Children move freely and safely around the childminder's home and garden and

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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 benefit from being able to access all areas of the home. They have independent access to a very good range of equipment and play provision suitable for their ages and stages of development and effective procedures are in place to ensure this is clean, safe and well maintained. Children are well protected and safe guarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regards to child protection issues. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about children in her care and discusses her role with parents ensuring they are kept aware of her responsibilities. Effective systems are in place to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children and written details obtained from parents regarding who can collect their child from the setting, which contributes to ensuring

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's safety. Records of children's attendance are in place, although these do not include the child's full names and the exact times children are in the childminder's care are not recorded on a daily basis, ensuring all are protected should a child protection issue arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and very much enjoy their time with the childminder. They benefit because she has a good understanding of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child's development. Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences and have many opportunities to extend their skills and develop new knowledge during their time in the childminder's care. They are fully involved in the planning of activities and trips, which ensures the experiences they receive are suitably matched to their individual needs and interests. Children excitedly recall experiences they have enjoyed. They talk confidently about how they visit the horses in the nearby field, enjoy regular visits to parks and walks to the stream and enjoy planned outings to a range of places, including Bognor, Portsmouth lido, bowling and trips to the cinema. They proudly show off the Easter bonnets they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

made earlier in the week and talk about their individual designs and how they made these. Children enjoy playing with dough and freely help themselves to a range of cutters and tools competently using these to make models and patterns. Interaction between children and the childminder is extremely positive and she is very supportive during children's self chosen play. For example, she helps prepare an area for children to develop their imagination when playing with the dolls house and dressing up. The childminder talks to children about the activities they choose, encouraging them to think about things and contribute their own ideas. Children enjoy making Easter cards and benefit from independent access to a wide range of media and materials enabling them to fully express their imagination and explore creativity for themselves. Their early reading and writing skills are enhanced as the childminder supports them in helping them to spell words as they write inside

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraging them to think about the sounds the letters make. Children confidently ask the childminder for additional resources as they decide to make a shiny pond and access a range of tools independently, such as writing materials, scissors and glue sticks learning to use these competently and safely in their play. Children have wonderful experiences to explore creativity and use a range of media,

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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 for example they grow seeds, paint and print using a range of objects, use a small pottery wheel to experience clay and engage in many messy play activities. They participate in cooking activities, explore shadows and shapes and explore a range of different sized objects in water encouraging them to make predictions, observe changes and gain an understanding of how things work. All activities and experiences are pitched at the right level because the childminder knows the children well and plans appropriately to ensure their interest is sustained, they are fully occupied and thoroughly enjoy their time in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are extremely confident and self assured. They develop a sense of belonging to the setting as they are involved in the planning of activities and experiences and make their own decisions about their play. They are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder very much encourages children to recognise that they may have different interests and needs and that all are important. Children begin to learn about the differences and similarities between themselves and others. They gain an understanding of diversity through discussions with the childminder, sharing books and stories and through the use of equipment reflecting positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability such as books and role-play equipment. Activities and experiences are planned around a range of special events and festivals helping children to gain an understanding of the wider

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Helping children make a positive contribution

world and begin to learn about a range of customs and cultures. For example, children explore and celebrate Christmas and Easter, individual birthdays, Fireworks night, St. Georges Day, Pancake day and cultural festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New year. Children's behaviour is very good. They have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and know the rules within the childminder's home. They learn what is acceptable through discussion and receive constant praise and encouragement from the childminder for good behaviour, which impacts on their confidence and the relationships they build within the setting. All children are valued and the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with special needs. A written procedure highlights the childminder's commitment to ensuring her practice reflects equal opportunities and this is shared effectively with parents ensuring that all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children are fully included and integrated into the setting and their individual needs fully met. Children benefit from good working relationships between the childminder and parents. The secure registration and induction procedures enables information to be shared, both formally and informally ensuring the childminder is fully informed about the child's needs and family and home circumstances. Daily discussion helps to secure the links between home and the setting and ensures relevant information is discussed and shared. Parents are presented with much information about the service the childminder provides through a detailed portfolio, although they are not advised of the procedure should they wish to make a complaint about the setting.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because the childminder plans her day accordingly to ensure she meets the needs of all those attending and is well organised. She involves the children in the planning of activities and recognises that they may want to spend quiet time after school in the afternoons. The childminder recognises that their needs will differ greatly when they are attending the setting for sessions during the school holidays as the period of time will be longer and therefore they will require greater stimulation. She understands her role and meets most of the required regulations, enabling her to promote satisfactory outcomes for children. Most of the required documentation is in place to ensure children's welfare, although some lacks in detail.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended the required training and helps parents to understand how she promotes positive outcomes for children through very comprehensive information presented in a portfolio. This includes details about herself and her family, activities and experiences offered to children, training and qualifications and some written policies and procedures. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because she understands their individual needs and interests and provides a stimulating, secure and safe environment where children are happy and develop positive relationships. Consequently, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop a system to investigate and record details of any complaints, making the details available to parents • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment • ensure children's full names are recorded on all documentation and improve the procedures for recording children's attendance

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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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