Chrysostomou Holden, Maria Alice

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY232573 Inspection date 02 March 2006 Inspector Kerry Iden

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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 December 2002. She lives with her partner and 1 child aged 5 years in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and three children of school age all on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group and regular takes children to the local park, beach and places of interest.

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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 good. The children are healthy and thrive in the setting because the childminder follows effective hygiene procedures such as encouraging the children to wash hands and explaining to them the reasons for this. Good levels of hygiene throughout the home, allow children to maintain their health as they play. Children are able to go and see Flopsy the pet rabbit and feed him carrots, this is used as a discussion point over the meal table as the childminder encourages the children to eat a little more. Children know they can only see Flopsy with their childminder and although they can stroke him they have to wash their hands afterwards. Children enjoy a very healthy and well balanced diet. The childminder introduces them to many different meals and makes them interesting and enjoyable for the children, for example she freezes pureed fruit into ice cubes for their drinks. Lunch time is a sociable occasion for the children as they sit together with their childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

She plays games with the children as she hides her eyes and they delight in her surprise as they have eaten a little bit more. All the food prepared for the children is home made, interesting and exciting, the childminder encourages the children to help with the preparation of meal times when appropriate to do so. Children's physical development is encouraged by regular exercise in different forms. They take part in physical activities in the house such as dancing, movement to music and playing in the garden on sit and ride toys and other items. Children also have regular outings to the park to help develop their co-ordination as they attempt the larger apparatus. Picnics in the park or playing on the beach are also regular activities for the children, along with visits to toddler groups and play centres with larger equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have good space within the home to play because the childminder makes good use of the space available, allowing for different types of play to go on in different areas of the home. The children relax in a friendly environment which is dedicated to the children during their time there. Children have access to the secured garden to the rear of the property and develop their independence as they are able to use a downstairs bathroom. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. Organised activities are also part of the daily routine including art and craft activities. Play equipment is checked regularly for cleanliness and maintenance. All play equipment is prepared before the children arrive, is age appropriate and toys are rotated to keep children's interest alive. Children are able to learn, play and move around freely, safely and independently

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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 within the house because the children's safety is paramount to the childminder. She has several safety aids within her home to help maintain their safety and clear procedures such as frequent visual checks on sleeping children to keep them safe. However, unprotected glass in the garden shed does pose a risk. Children are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe and they clearly know the safety rules within the home, for example one child shut the gate at the bottom of the stairs and informed me it has to stay shut. Children's safety is maintained away from the home too as strict guidelines are in place for children when out walking and appropriate car safety seats are fitted into the car when travelling. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder's clear

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding and knowledge of child protection procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Interaction between the childminder and the children is warm and affectionate. Children join in all the well planned activities such as collecting items from well stocked craft resources to create their own pictures. The childminder makes eye contact with the children, plays at their level and strongly supports them at all times. She is affectionate and consistent and organises the routines to ensure all children have the opportunity for some one to one time as well as all together time. There is lots of meaningful conversation between the childminder and the children as they talk about their activities and their play. At the end of the sticking activity children are given simple instructions to help clean themselves up. Children are asked open questions to make them think, the childminder allows them sufficient time to think about their responses before asking them again. Children's favourite activities are accommodated because the childminder knows the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children so well and what they would like to do. They are achieving well because the childminder praises them for every effort, for example, during the sticking activity. As the children received praise for their efforts they were motivated to do more. Children are developing in all areas, the childminder introduces and regularly reinforces colour, shape, letters and numbers with the children through normal daily routines. There are opportunities for the children to spend time away from the setting as the childminder organises trips out which include the beach, the park and feeding the ducks and the donkeys. They are encouraged in their imaginative skills as they enjoy role play activities and fall into the world of make believe.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals, their personal routines are identified and all activities are adapted to ensure all children reach their full potential. There are

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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 opportunities through activities and resources for children to develop a sense of belonging and to begin to understand about the world around them. The childminder uses incidental opportunities to inform children, for example a picture of a kangaroo sparks a whole conversation about Australia. Children have very good manners, they say thank you to the childminder as she finds favourite items in the jar of dried fruit. The childminder praises the children for remembering to say thank you without reminders. Through play the childminder offers herself as a good role model to the children as she remembers to also say thank you to them. Children behave very well because they are well occupied and the childminder is focused on spending time with them. Children play very well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

together, they are able to share, take turns and negotiate well with one another. Children benefit greatly from the close relationships the childminder has built with the parents. The childminder respects the parents wishes and works very closely with them on their individual needs for their child. Verbal and written communication between the childminder and the parents ensures consistency for the children and parents are well informed of what their children do.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children enter into a well planned and prepared home because the childminder has given thought to activities she plans to carry out with each child before they arrive. Children are kept safe from other adults because the childminder maintains good supervision at all times. Children have the feeling of family life as the childminder works very closely with her mum who is also a registered childminder. The different skills of each childminder are used to enhance the children's time in the setting. The childminder uses her knowledge gained from completing a CACHE diploma and the Introduction to childminding practice to help her in all aspects of child development. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate but is booked onto a relevant training course. Clear, detailed records are in place for the children's attendance, accidents and medication, children are protected because the childminder has a clear

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Organisation

understanding of maintaining all information confidential. The childminder has a good understanding of her requirements of registration, this ensures the children are kept safe and that overall, she is meeting the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection the childminder was asked to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and make parents aware of her procedures. She has addressed this by obtaining detailed written information to be used as reference from the local Social services. Increasing her knowledge gives the children

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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 better protection. The childminder was also asked to ensure her attendance register was kept up to date, this was addressed, was accurate at the time of inspection and ensures the children's safety by knowing who is in the provision at any given time.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 glass in the garden shed does not present a hazard to children • ensure a first aid qualification is obtained

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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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