Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY266859 Inspection date 27 March 2006 Inspector Janet Marie Thouless

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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 outstanding. 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 2003. She lives her Husband and four children, two adults and two younger children aged 4 and 5 years in East Grinstead West Sussex. The childminder currently co-minds with another childminder from her present address under the name of Quackers Childcare . The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are located on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding four children on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local groups, soft play areas and takes children to local parks and places of interest. The childminder holds an Early Years Childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay healthy and are extremely well protected, because the childminder follows effective health and hygiene guidelines and procedures throughout her practice. Children learn from an early age the importance of good hygiene practice; for example, hand washing after toilet routines, before handling food and after messy play. Therefore, children increase their independence and personal care successfully through the excellent daily routines and support from the childminder. Children enjoy sharing nourishing snacks and trying out different foods. The childminder and parents work together to ensure individual dietary requirements are met and that packed lunches are suitable. Children enjoy healthy snacks, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. They are able to access drinks independently throughout the day, which helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Very effective procedures are in place to ensure the childminder acts in the best

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Helping children to be healthy

interest of the child if they are ill, she holds a current first aid certificate and keeps all necessary medical and accident records. Daily diary’s are completed for the under 2-year-olds, which include nappy changing, sleeping, eating, focused activities and general wellbeing to inform both parents and the childminder. Children have opportunities to rest and sleep according to their needs in comfortable surroundings. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity on daily outings and during outdoor play. For example, children regularly use the garden and equipment in the local parks and drop-in group. The excellent provision of resources and equipment allows children many opportunities to develop their control, co-ordination, fine motor and manipulative skills effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and undertakes thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe.

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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 Children benefit from an excellent range of good quality resources and equipment, which are kept clean and well maintained. Children's safety on outings is paramount; road safety is implemented through discussion and activities and equipment such as buggies and car seats are checked and correctly fitted. The childminder's excellent organisation takes into account all aspects for children's safety; for example, children tidy away toys before selecting others to maintain a safe environment. Activities are age appropriate and extremely well organised, the effective use of safety gates ensure younger children do not have access to unsuitable areas. Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection polices and procedures, up-to-date contact details are at hand to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

enable her to act in the best interest of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish in the childminder's care, because, she has an excellent understanding of their developmental needs. The childminder understands that children develop and achieve at different rates and adapts activities skilfully to help children make progress by building on what they can already do. She uses plans drawing on her knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage to effectively meet the needs of all the children to ensure they make progress, and uses this information to identify the next steps in their development. Young children eagerly learn through interesting and practical activities, such as, inset puzzles, matching games, role-play and musical instruments. They use their imagination very well when dressing up and acting out everyday routines, such as, caring for dolly. This helps children to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

through play. Children use books purposefully and enjoy snuggling down to listen to a story and often completing familiar text. Children gain in independence and self-esteem as they select their activities for themselves from choosing books and puzzles, and nominate themselves for tasks, such as, making tea and cakes for all in role play. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder takes into account each child's ability and individual needs. The children are sociable, happy and enjoy quality time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel welcome and at ease in the setting because the childminder knows them well as individuals and respects and values them and their families. Children benefit from the extremely good partnership the childminder has with their parents. Parents receive comprehensive information about the provision and are kept fully informed about their children's care and progress through detailed daily discussions and the daily exchange of the diary for the younger children. Parents have been fully

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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 informed of any changes to the provision. Children show a true sense of belonging and of feeling part of the family. They feel valued and develop a full sense of belonging, because of the excellent interactions across the provision. Children know their contribution makes a real difference as they play and work together. Children become aware of clear boundaries and simple rules, which are age appropriate and shared with parents. The childminder's techniques and her calm and sensitive approach help children to understand responsible behaviour, to share and take turns and to play harmoniously with each other. Children have many opportunities to make choices and take decisions in their play, because they can freely access toys and resources and there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children become aware of a wider society and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learn to respect diversity through carefully planned activities and topics. For example, celebrating festivals and outings into the local community.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder works effectively with parents in order to provide a high standard of care for each child. This ensures all children are welcome, fully included into daily routines and have their individual needs met. Parents appreciate and highly value the quality of care and early education their children receive and the excellent links that are established between the provision and home. Children's care and learning is greatly enhanced by the childminder's excellent organisational skills and her professional approach to childcare. The childminder is well qualified and experienced to provide good quality care for children. She has developed comprehensive planning based around the Foundation Stage curriculum and Birth to three matters, in order to plan effectively for each child's development and learning. The childminder plans themes and activities effectively to cover the

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Organisation

individual needs of all the children attending. She provides an extremely welcoming and stimulating environment for children to learn through play. All the required documentation is in place and very well maintained. Detailed written policies and procedures are available and given to parents to ensure they are fully informed about the provision and care on offer. The childminder's highly professional approach and regard for the welfare of the children, ensures the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to expand resources to reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder has obtained a selection of resources that are reflective to enhance the children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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