Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256286 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2006 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 2003, in the family home which is situated in Haslemere, Surrey. She lives with her husband and two children, who both attend school and the house is within walking distance of all local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are cared for on the ground floor of the property and there is a large, fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There is a secure decked area, close to the house for smaller children to enjoy outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for nine children on a part time basis, including after school care. There are three children present during the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed the Introducing Childminding Practice course and the Developing Childminding Practice course. She attends a local carer and toddler group 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 good. Children's health is effectively maintained because there are regular routines for hand washing and children are learning to manage their own personal care. The childminder varies this according to children's age and stage of development; she fully encourages all children to learn through continual conversation. Children understand about keeping things clean by picking them up off the floor and by not putting things in their mouths, especially younger children who are crawling. The childminder diligently supervises them and she includes ample reassuring comments and explanation to help children's understanding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who sleep during the day have full sized cots available and individual bed linen is used. The childminder recognises and gently introduces routines for sleeping when children show signs of tiredness. Children's nappies are changed hygienically in the ground floor bathroom and the childminder ensures that children have clean towels every day. Children are also learning to wipe their hands and faces after eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is entirely supported by the clear records in place for accidents and the comprehensive details for administering medication. Parents sign all records and full permission is given for emergencies and regular medical care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children talk about vitamins in food and what is good for them. They have a sandwich lunch with fruit, which is provided by the childminder. She follows a weekly menu and is very aware of children's preferences and their parents' requests; she is happy to accommodate their individual needs. The childminder cooks every day for children who are cared for after school and for any younger children who return after nursery. Children ask for drinks during the morning and these are immediately provided. They often want ice and know it is available from the dispenser on the refrigerator and they talk about where the ice goes when it melts.

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Helping children to be healthy

Smaller children can easily play outside on the decked area and they know where to find their own boots for outside play, they try them on and ask to go outside. Older children can play at the bottom of the garden on the larger play apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are consistently safe on the ground floor of the family home which is totally secure and child centred. They happily remain in the areas that are dedicated to their care and move freely between two well equipped playrooms and the kitchen/dining room. They talk to each other about not going up the stairs. Children can see pictures of each other and the family, they can safely watch the fish in several indoor tanks of different sizes and at different levels. They readily choose from a wonderful variety of play equipment which is easily available and is often carried from room to room. The childminder instantly finds items which are very suitable for the baby because these are stored in a separate container. The childminder regularly checks

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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 play equipment as it is used and often renews worn out items, she has recently made new plastic covers for the high chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children spend time safely in the kitchen because all necessary cupboards are locked and the childminder supervises children continually. There are written plans for emergency situations, although fire drills have not been practised with children. The childminder has introduced effective systems to indicate that she is caring for minded children when travelling; she carries a full list of children's contact details at all times and all documentation for travel by car is in place and up to date.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children's safety in the garden during the summer, is fully supported by the permission from parents to use the inflatable swimming pool. The childminder informs parents that an adult will always be present if children are using the pool and she asks parents to provide information about their children's levels of capability when swimming.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the procedures in place for safeguarding children. She gently highlights any injuries that children arrive with and is prepared to record these. She has attended child protection training and is very aware of contacting other agencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very relaxed and comfortable in the family home; they sometimes need attention and time to settle when they first arrive and the childminder fully understands this, she responds well by communicating directly with children and interesting them in the activities on offer. Children move purposefully between the rooms and find play equipment. They happily push the doll's pushchair and begin to act out role play together; they chatter continuously. Smaller children crawl from room to room with trucks and cars, they like the movement of the wheeled toys on the kitchen floor.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs for play are entirely met because the childminder suggests ideas to interest and involve them, she organises the kitchen table for drawing and fully encourages their efforts. She sits them comfortably beside each other and asks them what they want to draw. They talk about their drawings and say 'it is a car and this is the road'. They talk about their pictures as they draw, where they are driving to and what is at the end of the road. They are both praised for holding their pencils 'as they do at nursery'. Children decide and name the colours they use, they talk about the shapes and identify dots and circles. They turn the paper over and start to draw again when they want a new picture. The childminder has a high level of awareness regarding children's individual stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their own scrap books and the childminder reminds them of this and suggests that they may like to stick their drawings in before they go home. The childminder compiles scrap books for all the children in her care and these can be shared with parents. Children like to keep them as a reminder of their time with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are learning to consider each other because the childminder gently asks them to play in the playroom nearest the kitchen so that they do not wake the baby; they automatically understand and show they are used to this routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's daily routines with the childminder are recorded and there are lovely descriptions of the attention that they give to each other. The childminder totally responds to the children's needs during the inspection, she readily reads to them on the kitchen floor and they laugh together at the pictures and talk about what is happening in the story. The childminder uses good intonation of her voice to interest and engage children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly talk about their homes and families and look forward to going to nursery in the afternoon. They are totally supported by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a growing awareness of understanding differences because the childminder provides positive images in the play equipment that she provides. Children freely choose their play resources and happily dress up. Play equipment is not specifically referred to for either gender. Children have books and puzzles that depict other cultures, these show different clothes and houses from around the world. The childminder has a policy in place which states that she will provide a range of equipment which demonstrates the diversity of life in our society. Children's learning is promoted through any activity they are involved in, the childminder endeavours to assist children at any stage of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good and the childminder gives children constant attention to keep them interested and involved. They are praised for the small things that they do and especially if they show a caring attitude towards each other. She reminds them to say sorry at times when children accidentally hurt each other; they say this with concern and happily resume their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the supportive links that are formed between their parents and the childminder. Parents have daily diaries, they can see their children's scrap books and can contact the childminder at any time. Parents often stay for longer at collection times to talk about child care. They have a leaflet to explain the basic information and copies of all policies and procedures that the childminder has written herself. There is up to date information available for parents concerning the routines for any complaints.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder frequently refers to children's homes and families during the day to remind, reassure and connect children with their parents. She has introduced families when children are attending the same nursery sessions and they frequently liaise with each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are competently cared for and the childminder has a good understanding of the requirements for registration. She is continuing with her child care qualifications and has organised to up date her first aid qualification. All documentation to support the child care is

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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 in place and fully available for the inspection. The childminder has written a variety of policies and procedures and she has developed these with thoughtfulness to meet the needs of parents and children. She has a broad range of knowledge and experience, she understands child development and is keen to engage with children and support their emotional, social and intellectual capabilities. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder should ensure parents are made aware of her responsibility with regard to child protection. The childminder has developed the written information for parents to include information about her duty to protect children in her care. All parents have a copy of the policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain written permission from all parents for transporting children in a vehicle and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Written permission is now in place from all parents.

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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.

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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): • devise and practise an emergency escape plan

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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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