Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY235146 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2006 Inspection date Karin Lane Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, six and eight in Horsham, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home and one upstairs bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time and two children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local parent and toddler group. The family has a pet cat.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit as the childminder provides a clean home which is heated and ventilated to maintain a comfortable temperature. Children learn about hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet or after touching the cat. Effective arrangements promote children's good health, including the provision of plenty of physical exercise on equipment in the garden and regular outings to a local ball pool and park. Children's sleep routines are well met as they sleep in a travel cot with clean bed-linen. Children's well-being is enhanced because parents give clear written instructions to the childminder if their children require medicines. Suitable measures are in place to manage children's accidents, although the childminder has not up-dated her knowledge as her first aid certificate has expired. Nutritious, healthy meals in line with parents wishes are provided. Children are offered a choice of drink

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

and have healthy snacks of apples and raisins.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected because the childminder has a high regard for safety, with most measures identified and minimised. However, children's safety is compromised by the accessibility to a metal companion set in the hearth. The garden is secure with safety promoted effectively by, for example, fitting a safety net around the trampoline and having a soft bark surface under slides. Children benefit from being able to choose from a good range of quality toys and equipment both indoors and out. They confidently play with this equipment in the childminder's spacious home. Children are supervised effectively at all times, including when they sleep upstairs as a baby alarm is utilised in addition to regular visual checks made by the childminder. Children's well-being is promoted because the childminder has secure understanding about child protection in line with local guidelines.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the variety of activities planned by the childminder. They benefit from outings to parent and toddler group and socialise with other childminders and their minded children. Children are interested and become engrossed in their play and can select from a good range of resources. They like puzzles and concentrate on matching shapes and colours aided by the attentive childminder. Drawing activities are successfully extended by the childminder who, for example, asks relevant questions to develop children's thinking and language. Children independently choose books; they sit with the childminder looking at the pictures and discuss the story which aids their learning and listening skills. Children are very happy and have a good rapport with the friendly childminder.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met very well because the childminder builds good relationships with parents, who are very happy with the care given to their children. Information is shared each day with parents to discuss, for example, care needs and what the children have achieved during the day. Sufficient plans are in place if children with special needs are cared for as the childminder has previous experience. Toys appeal to both boys and girls and children benefit from the provision of suitable resources which helps them understand the differences between people. For example, children choose a story from Spain which the childminder reads giving good explanations of the differences between language. Effective behaviour management techniques used by the childminder include the use of distraction for younger children and getting older children to think about their actions. Children behave well and are praised

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and at ease. A welcoming environment is provided with suitable toys laid out for children to choose from. They are well supervised by the childminder who organises her time effectively, for example, preparing meals when children are asleep. All required documentation is kept together in a large divided folder allowing ease of access whilst maintaining confidentiality effectively. The childminder enhances the care and learning offered to children because she attends additional training. She recently attended workshops on play and the Birth to three matters framework and is beginning to look at how this can be included in her daily practice.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder agreed to obtain consent from parents for emergency treatment for minded children.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her practice. She has devised a simple form that parents sign to give permission for emergency treatment which promotes the welfare of children.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

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

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.4

Complaints 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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • maintain a current first aid certificate which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • promote children's safety by ensuring they do not have access to the fire companion set

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5