Hancox, Mrs Kelly Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311111 Inspection date 20 April 2006 Inspector Fler Wright

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and son aged 2 years in Peacehaven, East Sussex. The majority of the property is used for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children aged under 5 years, 3 days a week. The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park, shops and toddler groups.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Well established hygiene routines enable children to learn about the importance of keeping healthy. The childminder ensures children have access to a hygienic environment, and children enjoy cleaning their hands and pieces of furniture with baby wipes which helps them to learn about cleanliness whilst reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The childminder is aware of the need to contact Ofsted should any of the children contract a notifiable disease, although she has a basic understanding of what these are. However, she does have an appropriate sick child policy which ensures that children who are infectious do not attend, thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder provides a healthy range of meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. She plans these a week in advance which helps to ensure the efficient organisation of the day. Children are encouraged to have

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Helping children to be healthy

regular refreshments to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated. Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who is responsive to their emotional needs. They enjoy a range of activities that help to develop their physical skills on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a warm and welcoming play area with enough space for them to explore and move around freely. There are a good range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources suitable for the ages of minded children. The range includes a play kitchen, books, creative equipment and outdoor toys that children are able to access easily, encouraging their independence and freedom of choice. The equipment on offer helps to ensure children's developmental needs are met. The childminder rotates the selection regularly to ensure children have access to a varying range in order to keep them interested. The childminder has a very good understanding of safety as she has successfully minimised all of the potential hazards around the home and garden which helps to ensure children are kept safe and free from harm. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knows what action to take should she have concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

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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 good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident. The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. Children relate well to the childminder and to each other, and confidently approach her for support indicating trusting relationships are built. Children profit from regular outings to the local park and toddler groups where they are able to develop their social and physical skills. They enjoy and learn from a broad range of activities that help to encourage learning and development. Activities and topics are planned in advance to help the childminder organise her days whilst ensuring the children have access to an interesting variety of experiences such as creative play, imaginary play, dancing and singing. Past topics include caterpillars and butterflies where children were able to make the animals, look at books and talk about the lifecycle. All activities are adapted to ensure that children are included and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have the opportunity to achieve. Children have easy access to a good range of quality toys that provide balance and challenge, and the way that the childminder organises the space and resources helps children take initiative and develop increasing confidence and independence. The childminder is relaxed and is confident in her abilities to care for children, which helps to ensure she is able to manage the children effectively and their individual needs are met. Children benefit from frequent interaction with the childminder who offers support when required and asks questions to encourage learning and aid children with their developing communication skills. As a result of this interaction, children are confident in expressing their feelings and thoughts to her so that she is able to aid their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. The childminder encourages all children to participate in the activities provided, to ensure children have an equal opportunity to maximise their enjoyment and potential. Children have access to an adequate range of resources and activities that promote equality and diversity, which helps them to learn about the wider world. However, the childminder feels it is an area she would like to improve upon and wants to increase the opportunities available for children to learn more about individuality and different cultures. The childminder has little experience of caring for children with special needs, although she has an open and receptive understanding of the need to work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder is very calm and relaxed and offers effective explanations to children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

when managing their behaviour, which helps them to learn right from wrong and play together harmoniously. Children respond well to her and are aware of the need to

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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 work co-operatively as they are starting to share a variety of resources. The childminder offers regular praise and encouragement to children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem. Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children to the childminder which helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. The childminder ensures parents are kept informed of their child's progress as there are daily exchanges of information about what they have done, what they have eaten and the general care given to them during the day. This helps to ensure children's ever changing care needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is very organised and has ensured that all of the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place. She has also written an additional range of policies and procedures that she gives to parents to ensure they are aware of how she runs her childminding business. The childminder's certificate of registration is available for parents to view although it is not currently displayed during childminding hours. She has devised and implemented a helpful weekly planner that lists activities, meals and snacks to help ensure she is well-organised and knows what she is doing in advance. This effective organisation benefits the children in her care as it means she can spend more time playing with them in an organised and structured environment. The childminder ensures that children are protected from people that are not vetted,

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Organisation

and has an understanding of her childminding role and responsibilities. She has attended all of the required training and has an additional childcare qualification that helps to ensure she is able to meet the needs of the children she cares for. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • continue to increase the range of resources and activities that help to promote equality and disability.

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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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