Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233240 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2006 Inspection date June Fielden 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 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged five, seven and nine in Caterham, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time, and three children over five before and after school. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the parks and shops. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have a pet dog and two rabbits.

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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 are cared for in a clean, welcoming environment. The childminder has a sickness policy to prevent the spread of infection and effective routines in place to maintain children's good health. Children wash their hands before eating, and after they have been touching the pets. The childminder has permission for emergency medical treatment of children and holds a current first aid certificate, to safeguard children's wellbeing in the event of an accident. Her record of medication administered to children is well completed. However, more than one child's details are entered on each page, so confidentiality is not maintained when this is shown to parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a nutritious diet by the childminder. She has a good understanding of healthy eating and does not offer children instant meals or fizzy drinks. Older children are given a choice of what they want to eat at lunch time and a variety of home cooked meals, including meat, pasta or fish with vegetables are served at tea time. The childminder gradually introduces babies to different flavours, to encourage them to eat a wider variety of food. Young children are regularly offered water by the childminder and older children pour themselves a drink from a jug that has been prepared for them, to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent exercise that helps keep them fit. They play in the garden on the equipment provided by the childminder, including swings and a trampoline, to strengthen their muscles. Children regularly walk to and from the local school and visit parks for exercise. When the weather is unsuitable for outside play children are taken to indoor adventure barns, where they can socialise with others of a similar age. The childminder ensures children have sufficient rest, by allowing them to sleep whenever they need to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. A broad range of safety measures are in place to ensure children's welfare. The childminder has written an evacuation plan to be followed in the event of an emergency. Risk assessments are completed on an ongoing basis, and a gate is fitted in the kitchen doorway, to prevent children having unsupervised access to this area. The childminder has the appropriate documentation to protect children from harm on outings. She raises their awareness of keeping themselves safe from danger, by advising them not to talk to strangers. However, children's welfare is not fully safeguarded, as they have access to a solid fireplace with a gas fire in the living room, and an unlocked shed and other hazards in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move around freely in the childminder's living room, selecting the toys they wish to play with. The childminder has an extensive range of resources, suitable for all children's needs. The toys are rotated regularly by the childminder, to sustain children's interest and ensure they do not become bored. The childminder ensures equipment conforms to safety standards, and broken toys are thrown away, to avoid the risk of harm to children.

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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 The childminder has recently updated her knowledge of child protection and is aware of the signs of abuse. She is happy to seek advice on anything she is unsure about and will record her concerns. The childminder will inform the appropriate authority if she feels sure that her suspicions are justified.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are given individual support by the childminder and spoken to in a friendly manner. They are encouraged to help with small tasks around the house, increasing their independence and raising their self-esteem. The childminder questions children about the games they are playing, to promote their understanding and engage them in conversation. For example, one child was asked to look for particular animal cards in a picture domino game, and another to find the correct shape to fit one of the holes on a shape sorter.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children play with colourful toys that make interesting noises, and arouse their curiosity. The childminder assists children in extending their creative abilities, using materials such as paints, pencils and play dough. She sings songs with children and gets them to join in with the hand movements, developing their imagination and sense of rhythm. They are involved in maths tasks such as pouring and measuring during water play, and use numbers in every day activities. Children count the stairs as they go up them, or use number skills playing games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder and have access to a meaningful range of resources to support their understanding of culture, gender and disability. They are accepting of differences between people, as the childminder discusses issues relating to diversity with children. The childminder will integrate children with learning difficulties or disabilities into her provision, by making others aware of their needs. She will include these children in all activities, adapting them where necessary, to enable all to participate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is flexible and offers a range of different options for communicating with parents. They can choose to use daily diaries or sheets, which provide information such as what children have been doing and eating. Parents can also talk to the childminder at the end of the day, by telephone or use electronic means to keep themselves up to date. They have been fully informed of the childminders complaints procedure, and are aware of how any concerns raised will be handled. Positive behaviour is promoted by praise. The childminder has a set of house rules which are applied consistently. As a result, children are generally well behaved, and understand the need to share.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, plans part of her week in advance, and whenever possible includes a daily outdoor activity in her programme. She supplies a service statement for parents,

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 which gives useful details about her family. The information pack she provides for new parents makes them familiar with how she organises her practice, and includes copies of her policies, house rules and permission forms. The childminder's certificate of registration is on display and her attendance record shows that she does not exceed the number of children she is registered to care for. She updates children's records regularly, in order to ensure the data she holds on them is correct. The childminder shares children's records with their parents on request, and stores them securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder increase the range of resources that reflect society. She has now obtained books, puzzles and dolls to promote children's understanding of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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 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): • ensure confidentiality is maintained when parents are shown the record of medication administered • ensure the house and garden are free from hazards.

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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

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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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