Here is my most recent OFSTED Inspection Report :27 March 2008.

Inspection report for early years provision

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.

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.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her three school age children in Sompting, West Sussex. Part of the 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 five children under eight, all of whom attend part time.

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, hamster and cold water fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good.

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection through the childminder's hygienic routines and practices. For example, they have their own individual named hand towels. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene as they routinely wash their hands at appropriate times during the day. Children are further protected from the risk of cross infection as children who become ill are appropriately cared for and excluded from attending until they are no longer contagious. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate to enable her to effectively treat children in an emergency, should the need arise.

Children's dietary requirements are met, taking into account their individual food preferences, thereby respecting parents' wishes. Children can independently access drinking water throughout the day, as they have their own individual drinking cups so that they do not remain thirsty. The childminder provides a variety of nutritious meals and snacks. Sample menus are shared with parents, for example, spaghetti bolognese or risotto and fresh fruit. Meal times are sociable occasions where the childminder and the children sit together to enjoy their food.

Children move freely around the minding environment and have daily opportunities for exercise to develop and maintain healthy bodies. The childminder takes children out in the fresh air, for example, they walk to and from school and enjoy visits to the farm or beach which allows children to develop their physical skills.

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good.

Children have independent access to a wide range of resources and play materials. Resources and equipment are suitable for the different ages of the children attending and the childminder has effective systems in place to ensure that they remain in good condition. The environment is warm and welcoming and photos of the children and their art work are displayed on the walls.

Children are able to move safely around the home. The childminder uses safety equipment, such as stair gates and socket covers, to effectively ensure that children are not exposed to potential hazards. Younger children are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures which the childminder has in place. When on outings children are kept safe through the use of wrist bands and reins. In addition, the childminder carries photo identification with each child's emergency contact numbers to ensure she can act swiftly, should the need arise.

Children are well protected as the childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues. She keeps her knowledge up to date by attending training and is aware of the procedure to follow should she become concerned about any of the children in her care.

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good.

Children are well cared for and stimulated as the childminder provides a wide range of activities and resources to meet their developmental needs. They respond very well to the childminder's warm and nurturing manner and therefore feel secure and happy. They move around with ease as they access the many play opportunities on offer. They have opportunities to use their senses, for example, they have access to play dough and a varied selection of arts and crafts materials. Children grow cress seeds on cotton wool and observe their growth.

Children are gaining independence and self confidence because the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore their toys. For example, children's imagination is captured as they engage in role play caring for their babies and cooking food. They are able to access a range of dressing up clothes. The childminder develops children's language as she constantly talks to them and mirrors what they are saying. She makes sense of it for the child by repeating the correct words back to them.

Children enjoy regular outings to child-friendly settings such as parent and toddler groups and networking with other registered childminders. This gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with the other children, developing their social skills.

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good.

Children are able to feel relaxed and at home in the setting as they are cared for by a warm and caring childminder. The childminder respects others and promotes diversity positively through discussions and the use of a wide range of books and toys reflecting positive images. She acknowledges a variety of festivals with the children, for example, they had fun experimenting with chop sticks during the celebration for Chinese New Year. The childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion which helps ensure all children are made to feel welcome in her home. However, she is not familiar with the Disability Discrimination Act and its impact upon service providers.

Children are well behaved. The childminder effectively implements her well written policy for managing children's behaviour and has a good understanding of the effective ways to promote children's best behaviour. For example, children receive lots of praise and attention from the childminder who creates a fun atmosphere within her home.

Parents are kept well informed through daily discussions and verbal feedback at the end of the day. The childminder uses a diary for the younger children to record their daily routine to share with parents. A well organised file is accessible for parents and each parent is given details of the childminder's practices, such as the complaints procedure, details of courses attended and parents' references. The childminder has formal contracts with parents, including obtaining consent for taking children on outings, however, written permission from parents as to the individual sleeping arrangements of children is not in place. The childminder values the parents' contributions and actively seeks their views, she recently compiled parents' questionnaires. Parents' feedback includes, 'she treats each child as an individual and each child's needs are met'. In addition a newsletter is given to parents to share useful information and updates regarding her service.

Organisation

The organisation is good.

Children are offered a good standard of care within a well organised environment. They enjoy the security of the familiar daily routines which centre around their needs. Record keeping is accurate and up to date. For example, the records of attendance include all children's arrival and departure times.

Children spend their time effectively, engaging in a good range of activities. Daily routines flow smoothly and routines are well organised to allow children to play and learn without interruption. Toys and resources are easily accessible to help children choose for themselves and as a result children are developing good independence.

She has all documentation required by regulation in place and maintains this effectively. In addition she has a range of well thought out policies and procedures which underpin her good practice and all records are shared with parents. The childminder has sound knowledge of her roles and responsibilities and regularly attends a good variety of relevant training in order to keep her practice up to date, for example, child protection and a food and hygiene course.

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

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were set. These were to: devise a complaints procedure; obtain guidance regarding childhood illnesses and infectious diseases and seek written permission from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment.

A written complaints procedure and guidance for childhood illnesses and infectious diseases is now in place. The childminder has written permission from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment, should the need arise.

All these actions have a positive impact on children's safety and well-being.

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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):

• obtain written permission from parents as to the individual sleeping arrangements of children.
• gain knowledge and understanding of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.

Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures 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