Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY239588 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2006 Inspection date Ann Moss 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 two children aged six and four years in Ashtead, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park. The childminder has two dogs and one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children both of whom attend part-time.

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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 access a wide range of activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They freely access the childminder's garden which is planned to provide a variety of physical challenges. For example, Children learn how to use their bodies in different ways, for instance they push and pull a buggy. They develop good hand eye co-ordination, as they ride a selection of wheeled toys and stop and start with control. They climb steps, use various tools to dig and sieve sand, manoeuvre a broom and learn how hard to kick a ball. Children enjoy regular visits to the park, where they use larger equipment to practise existing skills and develop new skills. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise and are beginning to learn that being active helps them to stay and feel healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent drinks and healthy snacks. They are well nourished because the childminder has a good knowledge of healthy eating and sensitively extends children's knowledge of different tastes. Children learn where fresh fruit and vegetables come from because the childminder involves them in first hand experiences, such as growing and picking tomatoes and raspberries. Children understand that 'fruit and vegetables help to keep you healthy and sweets make you fat'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of following good personal hygiene, through well planned daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before mealtimes. However, children share a hand towel, which means children are not fully protected from the spread of infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means that children have access to appropriate treatment in the event of a minor accident. A suitable sick child policy has been discussed with parents so that children who are unwell are cared for appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder. They feel safe and secure because childminder maintains consistency regarding behaviour and house rules.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe and secure environment, indoors and outdoors, which the childminder effectively risk assesses daily, to minimise the risk of potential hazards. Children are unable to access less secure areas, such as the stairs through the use of a secure gate. There is good fire safety equipment in place, for instance a fire blanket and smoke detectors. Children understand about evacuation because the childminder talks to them about leaving the house quietly and calmly. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for instance they know not to stand on chairs because the childminder explains that they could fall and hurt themselves. They use good quality toys and equipment, which is suitable for their ages and stages of development. Children gain independence because they make decisions and choices about what they play with as they can choose resources safely from boxes and low shelves, which are easily accessible. 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 childminder has the vast majority of written parental permissions in place, however, permission for children to participate in specialist activities, for instance swimming, has yet to be obtained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection issues and knows how to proceeded if she had concerns about a child in her care. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare. She keeps her knowledge up to date through research and child care journals. Good reference materials and open discussion keeps parents well informed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting as a result of the childminder's enthusiasm and commitment to them. Children develop confidence as they self-initiate their own play and learning. Children play with purpose and work hard as they explore and investigate their surrounding. They make decision and choose whether to play indoors out outdoors. Children quickly become absorbed in their play. For example, outdoors they use their imagination to role play their observations, such as being a builder. They use appropriate tools to support their play as they dig in the ground and cut wood. They use wheeled toys competently to ride a circuit and negotiate a roundabout. They know they need to stop at traffic lights. The children later use small tools to dig, pour and sieve sand. Children show good concentration as they confidently use a broom to sweep up leaves. The childminder is very aware of the children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

likes and ensures suitable activities are available, for example older children particularly like cutting and sticking and are able to select these items easily.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a varied range of stimulating activities which interest and encourage them to develop in all areas, such as regular outings to the park and meet with their peers. This enables children to socialise and develop good communication skills. Activities in the home include, puzzles, games, imaginative and construction play. Children work co-operatively, they share and take turns very well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Excellent relationships exist. The childminder spends her time supporting the children. She uses play opportunities to extend their learning, for example, numbers are introduced when a child is asked clear away. Children approach the childminder confidently. They are very content in her care and fully occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and is beginning to incorporate this into her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude to inclusion. The childminder organises her home to take into account children's individual needs. This ensures all children have equal access to the appropriate range of activities and facilities available. Children's needs are met very well because the childminder liaises with parents to ensure that records contain information which enable appropriate care to be given.

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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 Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder values what they have achieved and what they bring to the environment. They gain an understanding of the wider world because the childminder talks to them about differences and similarities. Children use resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender, and disability to further supports their understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has limited experiences of minding children which specific needs. However, she has a good understanding of the importance of liaising with parents and other professionals as required, to ensure the developing needs of the child is met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They learn important social skills such as sharing and being kind. The childminder's suitable strategies that are relevant to children's ages and stages of development, help children learn right from wrong and teach self-discipline.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates with parents through the sharing of written and verbal information, for instance parents receive clearly written, updated policies and procedures, which keep them well informed. She seeks their feedback on the services she provides and is happy to implement suggestions which may benefit her practice. This contributes to working in partnership with parents and carers

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's effective organisation of time, space and resources. They play safely and freely choose toys and activities, which are stimulating and help them to make steady progress. The childminder demonstrate her commitment to keeping up to date with current child care issues and develops her knowledge through training and research. She has a clear understanding of the National Standards and is beginning to implement the Birth to three matters framework into her practice.

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Organisation

The vast majority of documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place. Records are very neat, confidentially stored and available for parents.

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Organisation

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, the childminder was asked to ensure a process is agreed and put in writing, as to parents wishes with regard to the seeking of medical advice and emergency treatment. The childminder has now implemented a system and obtained all parents' prior permission, which promotes children's good health.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to obtain toys and resources which reflect positive images of ethnicity and disability. A range of resources, such as dolls, books, dressing clothes - all of which reflect positive images of diversity and disability and are easily accessible to all children and allow them to appreciate similarities and differences within the wider world.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Also, she was asked to obtain a copy of the DfSE publication 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused' The childminder has obtained relevant documentation and references material which she is familiar with and made accessible to parents through discussion and access to her portfolio. This safeguards children.

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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 good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing • obtain written permission for parents regarding children's involvement in specialist activities, such as swimming.

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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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