Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507514 Unique Reference Number 15 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 1994. She lives with her husband, two adult sons and two daughters aged 12 and 15 in Redhill, Surrey. The playroom, cloakroom and kitchen on the ground floor and a first floor bedroom are used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, and five children under five part-time. She regularly works with an assistant and her husband, who is also a registered childminder. The childminder takes children to the local library, shops and parks. She regularly attends toddler groups. The family have two rabbits as pets.

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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 looked after in a friendly, caring environment. Their good health is maintained through efficient hygiene routines. Children clean their hands after eating and touching the pets. They dry their hands on flannels which are washed after use to avoid the risk of cross contamination. Sick children are excluded, and the childminder's accident and medication records are well kept to prevent the spread of infection. However, their health is not fully protected, as children have their hands wiped with the same flannel before having their snack, and swap food between their bowls while eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are mainly offered healthy options by the childminder at meal times. She has an effective understanding of what constitutes a nutritious diet and provides fresh fruit and raisins for children's snacks. Most parents provide their own food for children, and the childminder monitors what they eat to ensure they receive a suitable diet. She advises parents when she believes babies should be moving on to more grown-up food, to aid their development. Young children are regularly offered drinks to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have frequent opportunities to engage in healthy exercise, by participating in the variety of activities provided by the childminder. They strengthen their muscles playing with the swings, slides and other equipment in the childminder's garden. Children visit a variety of toddler groups, where they can run around, socialise and develop their physical skills with others of a similar age. The childminder has a travel cot for each child to sleep in when they need a rest. Children have their own bed linen, which is washed regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has effective measures in place to ensure children's safety. She has an emergency escape plan, which she has put in writing. The childminder sets off the smoke alarm when practicing this with children, so that they will be familiar with the sound it will make in the event of an emergency. She carries out risk assessments on an ongoing basis and uses a stair gate to prevent children having unsupervised access to the first floor of the house. The childminder is well organised and only takes children on visits to parks which she has checked for safety in advance. However, their welfare is not fully assured, as dangerous plants are currently accessible to children in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move around freely in the playroom and large hallway in the childminder's home. Space is used sensibly, with only the minimum amount of furniture, providing maximum room for children to play. Toys for younger children are stored in the playroom. They are kept in plastic containers which are easily accessible to children, allowing them to independently choose what they wish to play with. The childminder has a wide range of sturdy equipment that is appropriate for the needs of all minded 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 a good understanding of child protection issues and recently attended a course to update her knowledge in this subject. She is aware of the signs of abuse, and if she has any worries about a child in her care she will seek advice and record her concerns. The childminder will protect children from harm by reporting the matter to the appropriate authority when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are offered exceptional support from the childminder, who spends time talking enthusiastically to children. They thrive in her care, because she enables them to do things they could not accomplish without assistance. For example, one child really enjoyed stroking the pet rabbit. The childminder therefore held one of them on her lap for him to touch, as he would not have been confident enough to pick up the animal for himself. She is resourceful and uses her imagination to engage children's interest, encouraging them to explore home made toys that will motivate them and arouse their curiosity. She balances a large cardboard tube on a small slide for children to roll balls down and provides shakers made from plastic bottles filled with pebbles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attend a toddler group that promotes musical activities, and participate in singing sessions in the childminder's home. They use a wide variety of musical instruments to play tunes to accompany the songs they sing, developing children's creative abilities and sense of rhythm. The childminder successfully involves children in this activity, by providing toy animals that are referred to in the songs for them to wave around as they sing. She effectively uses the Birth to three matters framework when planning activities for young children, detailing precisely which aspects and components each child is working on. The childminder keeps progress records for each child, highlighting their personal achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children all have equal access to toys and play opportunities. The childminder liaises with parents to meet children's individual needs and fulfil their wishes. For example, the childminder regularly attends rhyme time sessions at the local library, as one parent has requested that their child is taken to this activity. The childminder provides extensive resources to promote children's understanding of culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has previous experience of looking after children with disabilities, and is well aware of the need to ensure the environment is safe for them. When caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities the childminder believes in integrating them into her provision. She will involve them in what other children are doing and enable them to achieve their full potential. The childminder will adapt activities to meet their needs when necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through the daily diaries completed by the childminder. She provides details of what children have been doing, the food they have eaten and the achievements they have made. The childminder is flexible and provides different

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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 information for parents, depending on what they wish to know. They also have the opportunity to talk to the childminder at the end of the day, when they collect their child. Parents have been fully informed of the childminder's complaints procedure, and know how any concerns they raise will be handled. The childminder believes in reinforcing positive behaviour, which is promoted by praise. Children and parents are aware of the house rules, which are consistently applied. As a result, children are generally well behaved, and accepting of each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected from harm when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. She has attended a broad range of relevant courses since her last inspection, and is keen to update her knowledge in order to improve the care she provides for children. The childminder's assistant is effectively supervised and is available to look after children in the event of an emergency.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and has the appropriate procedures and policies in place, which are checked annually and revised as necessary. She has a weekly plan on display for parents to see, to make them familiar with the daily outings, routines and activities provided for children. The childminder reviews children's records and the progress they are making every six months. This is reassuring for parents, as they are able to see what achievements their child has made. Each child's records are kept in a separate folder and stored securely, to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder 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 obtain up to date information on notifiable diseases. She has now obtained a leaflet on notifiable diseases, which she refers to when necessary, in order to maintain children's good health.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 appropriate hygiene routines are in place • ensure dangerous plants in the garden are inaccessible to children.

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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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