Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235442 Unique Reference Number 21 September 2006 Inspection date Alison Weaver Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 11 and four years. They live in a house in a residential area of Seaford near to shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Rooms used upstairs include one bedroom for sleeping minded children and the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding nine children of varying ages, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local toddler group and attends other local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 are cared for in a clean environment. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through some everyday routines such as hand washing before eating. The use of paper towels prevents cross infection. The childminder uses appropriate procedures to help children stay clean and healthy, for example, for nappy changing. She also ensures that she takes hand gel with her when she takes the children out so that they keep clean. The appropriate procedures for the care of sick children ensure that their welfare is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have easy access to drinks to prevent them becoming dehydrated. Children bring their own packed lunches with them, which are stored appropriately. The childminder makes sure that the food the children bring is healthy so that they eat well at lunch times. She promotes children’s understanding of healthy eating by some activities such as sticker pictures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly enjoy activities to help them develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. These include lots of walks and outings to local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally secure indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder adequately assesses most risks to children to ensure they can play safely in the home. The majority of the necessary safety precautions are in place, such as stair gates and a fire blanket. The use of the front window for ventilation is a potential hazard, as older children are able to climb out of the opening. The toy shelves in the conservatory are not secure which means that children are at risk of harm from falling toy boxes and shelving.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The toys and equipment used by the children are safe and suitable. The childminder ensures that the toys are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children present. Children learn to play with equipment safely, for example, by the childminder explaining to them about how to use scissors. The childminder develops children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe in a fire by regularly practising the evacuation procedures with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder closely supervises children at all times including when on outings. She uses wristbands for each child so that if they do get lost she can be easily contacted. The childminder ensures she has all the necessary details about each child when she goes out, in case of accidents. Children learn to keep themselves safe when crossing roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder has the required documents in place and carries out satisfactory procedures to ensure children's welfare is promoted. She has sufficient knowledge of the signs of child abuse and knows what to do to protect a child if she suspects abuse.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, relaxed, and settled. The children play well together and have fun with the childminder. Children play independently but also benefit from the care and support the childminder provides. The children build warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and each other. She relates well to them, promoting their learning as they play. For example, as they build towers with wooden blocks the childminder asks them what the shape and colour the bricks are. The children’s independence develops as they learn to tidy up toys before getting another toy box out.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have opportunities to play with a satisfactory range of toys and equipment, a lot of which are made of brightly coloured plastic. They make choices of activities and soon become absorbed in their play. Children enjoy creative activities, having access to a reasonable range of materials. They enjoy making sounds with the musical instruments as the childminder sings with them. They develop a love of books with the childminder as they cuddle up together to listen to a story. The children join in with the actions and find the hidden ducks in the storybooks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children experience a few activities that allow them to explore and investigate, such as growing flowers and tomatoes in the garden. They benefit from outings to places such as the park, circus, shops and zoo. Their social skills are promoted through visits to local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate understanding of equal opportunities and is aware of the need to ensure individual children’s needs are met. She obtains most of the necessary information about the individual children so that she can care for them appropriately. However, information about any religious needs is not obtained from parents when a child starts with her. This fails to ensure that the childminder can respect their beliefs and traditions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to some resources that show positive images of other races, religions and cultures, but few show images of disability. This limits their understanding of the wider world and the positive differences in society. The childminder develops children’s awareness of other countries and festivals by some activities such as making Chinese lanterns, using Chinese utensils for eating and finding out about Divali. The childminder has limited experience of working with children with special needs, but has a reasonable understanding of possible issues around their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. As a result, the children are confident and well behaved. Basic house rules maintained by the childminder help children learn what behaviour is acceptable. The children learn to be polite and well mannered. The childminder works satisfactorily with parents to provide consistent care for the child. Parents are kept informed about the child’s day through verbal feedback.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive sufficient adult support and attention, which helps them feel secure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder provides a few written details about her policies, which help towards creating a satisfactory working relationship with parents. The majority of the relevant and required documentation and consents are in place to support the care of the children and to comply with regulations. The childminder does not obtain written parental permission for the administration of medication to ensure children receive the correct treatment. She has failed to maintain a current first aid certificate to help keep her knowledge of appropriate emergency treatment up to date.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of child protection issues. She has completed a basic child protection course so is now more aware of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. She was also asked to improve the safety of the toy chest. The action taken has improved safety for the children. The childminder also now ensures that she has written parental consent for emergency medical treatment as recommended.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained • improve safety with regard to the toy shelves • improve documentation with regard to the records of medication.

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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 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

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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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