Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY310516 Inspection date 09 May 2006 Inspector Michelle Julie Gutcher

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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 family in a house in Ashford, Middlesex. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. She is registered to care 5 children under the age of 8 years. Currently there are 5 children on roll. Local parks, shops, and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have a dog and cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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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. Children play in a clean and well maintained environment where they learn the importance of good daily hygiene routines. The childminder is aware to seek prior written consent to administer medication, this ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs, however consent to administer emergency medication i.e. calpol and consent to seek emergency treatment from medical staff is not in place from all parents. She holds a current first aid certificate, this means that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident. Children benefit from healthy, nutritious meals and all dietary needs are discussed with parents. They are encouraged to try new foods appropriate to their age and stage of development and begin to learn the importance of healthy eating. Children are encouraged to cut pictures of foods out of magazines, create sticky collage pictures and talk about their eating habits. The childminder endeavours to sit

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Helping children to be healthy

with the children at meal times to encourage acceptable table manners and to engage in the children's conversations. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They have daily opportunities to play outside in the back garden and develop physicals skills using a selection of large apparatus both here and at the local park. The car is restricted when taking the children to and from school, this is so that the childminder walks with the children and spends time talking in depth to the children about their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Potential hazards are identified and minimized. They have easy and safe access to a wide range of good quality, age appropriate toys. The childminder displays a good understanding of safety related issues within the home. Her use of appropriate safety measures enables children to move around freely and independently. She supervises young children well. They have freedom to crawl, to pull themselves up using furniture as a support and to attempt to walk using the aid of the childminder herself. Children are protected well from the risks of fire. A fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen and the smoke alarms are regularly tested. A written fire procedure, practised with the children ensure they know how to get out quickly and safely if there is a fire. Children enjoy a safe and secure outdoor area. They have opportunities to play with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

good quality equipment that is suitable for their age and stage. Effective child protection procedures promote and safeguard children's welfare whilst they are in the

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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 care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. There is a warm and friendly atmosphere at this childminders home which is characterised by good relationships. Good quality interaction from an interested and supportive minder enables the children to feel settled and secure. She sits on the floor and plays alongside young children and helps them to spend their time purposefully. They are becoming competent learners as they investigate the toys available to them. The childminder talks to the children, responds to their gestures and sounds and acknowledges their efforts to communicate. Young children receive lots of cuddles and enjoy being with adults they are familiar with and whom they trust. Children initiate their own play and seek attention from the childminder who actively participates in their chosen activity. She praises the children's efforts by clapping and encourages them to find the bricks hidden in the bag. The children scream with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

excitement as they play. The childminder demonstrates exceptional skill at balancing her time effectively between meeting the needs of all the children in her care. Children with specific individual needs settle well and make good progress because the childminder has expert knowledge and understanding of how to offer appropriate support. The childminder plans activities and routines in advance to ensure that all individual needs are met. She is warm and affectionate towards the children making them feel valued. She has an excellent awareness of their individual needs and responds to them effectively. She constantly talks to them and spends good quality time with them, this helps children to make good progress in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and given choices to help them feel good about themselves. The childminder has an understanding about equality of opportunity and encourages children to learn about and respect all differences. She has a good awareness of children's individual needs. Children's individual needs are respected and activities are planned according to the specific needs i.e. the young child who sleeps for up to 3 hours is able to rest at home in a relaxing environment rather than being disrupted at the toddler group. Children enjoy the company of the childminder and her family. Children gain understanding of appropriate ways to behave as the childminder explains and guides them. Meaningful praise and encouragement, both verbal and by gesture for example clapping the young child, ensures that children's developing self confidence and esteem are well fostered. The childminder promotes a very good partnership with parents. The childminder

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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 works closely with parents to ensure individual needs are met and continuity of care is offered. A full set of written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. Children's progress and achievements are written in a daily dairy.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children thrive in a child friendly, loving environment. They are happy, relaxed and settled and benefit from a well-organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and good relationships are fostered. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards training and her on-going development. She has an on-going commitment to her development and attends varied courses to enhance her knowledge and understanding in childcare. The childminder maintains most documentation and provides parents with a full set of written policies and procedures. Some documentation is not accurately recorded, this does not reflect the actual times of children's attendance. Parental consent is lacking in some areas. She keeps parents well informed of their child's progress and provides a written daily dairy for all children. The childminder meets the needs of the

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Organisation

range of children who whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are 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

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):

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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 • ensure all parental consent are obtained in writing and available for inspection. • ensure actual times of children's attendance is recorded

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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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