Henshaws College

Inspection report for early years provision

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121777 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Janet Marie Thouless 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 1990. She lives with her husband and four children aged 19, 17, 11 and seven years in Oxted, Surrey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for minding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. 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 there are currently two children on roll on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to local parks, library and places of interest.

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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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a welcoming clean home where good healthy and hygiene routines are established. The childminder ensures they learn the importance of good hygiene practice such as regular hand washing, through consistent daily routines and clear explanations. The childminder herself demonstrates good hygiene awareness and her practice helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination. The childminder demonstrated good knowledge on how to administer first aid in an emergency and an appropriate accident book is in place. However, the first aid certificate has currently expired although the childminder has made arrangements to attend another first aid course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted as children are offered a good choice of nutritious meals and snacks. They are offered regular drinks through-out the day and are encouraged to help themselves from their individual cups. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that individual dietary needs are fully met and complied with. Children enjoy participating in a range of activities that contribute to good health and a sense of well-being. They enjoy the use of swings and wheeled toys in the garden and climbing apparatus in local parks to develop co-ordination, control and physical skills. They also enjoy walks around the local community and visiting other childminders to socialize with their peers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The small playroom, lounge and garden are used well by the minded children. The childminder gives high priority to safety, ensuring children are well supervised both in the home and when on outings, with clear consistent routines being upheld. Checks are carried out daily to minimise risk; and safety equipment such as socket covers and smoke alarms are used to ensure safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently select from a range of good quality toys and resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Resources are made easily accessible to them in the lounge and playroom. The childminder rotates toys to maintain children's interest and challenge them. Children know to ask for help when necessary, for example, to locate the yellow truck. The childminder supervises children's choice of resources to ensure they are safe and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has an understanding of her role and responsibility within child protection. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any cause for concern. All of these measures contribute to the safety and welfare of 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle into the homely environment well and are happy, confident and eager to play with the range of toys on offer. They use their imagination well in role play enjoying cars, garage and the roadway. They enjoy pushing the computerised buttons on the garage confidently repeating familiar sounds like the sound of the car horn giggling with delight. The childminder positively responds with lots of praise and guidance and happily joins in with their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently select what they want to play with from the range of resources the childminder has set out. They confidently tip out the inset puzzles and attempt to complete them under the watchful eye of the childminder. She sits with them helping them to guide the correct piece in to the right location. The children smile and feel pleased with their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are valued as individuals and the childminder takes into account each child's ability and stage of development. The childminder refers to Birth to three matters for guidance on children's stages of development and uses this to provide an interesting range of play opportunities to promote children's learning. Children are happy, have fun and enjoy quality time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder has with parents. Children's needs are effectively met because the childminder values each child, makes them feel important and treats them as individuals. The regular exchange of information between the childminder and parents ensures that children's needs are effectively met. The childminder has a positive approach to care for children with disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community as they go for local walks, visit other childminders to socialize with their peers, visit local shops and places of interest, such as the library. This promotes children's learning about the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour calmly and appropriately to the children's level of understanding, which enables them to know what is expected of them. Clear boundaries and ground rules are established to ensure children learn right from wrong. Children's self-esteem is raised by good use of praise and lots of positive encouragement by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from an organised environment and consistent daily routines that help them feel settled in their surroundings. The childminder ensures children have access to a range of resources she knows they will enjoy and is attentive to the children supporting them in their play. This helps them to feel fully included into everyday care.

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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 The childminder shares and discusses her policies and procedures with parents, in order to inform them of the provision she provides. She keeps her knowledge up to date by reading current childcare publications to enhance good practice. She displays her registration certificate when childminding and has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration.

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Organisation

The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and positively supports children's developing needs. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure a range of toys and resources are readily accessible to children and to maintain a current first aid certificate for infants and young children. The childminder ensures a range of resources are now accessible to the children and rotates these on a daily basis. This promotes opportunities for children to make individual choices. A first aid course has been attended but has now expired. However, the childminder demonstrated good knowledge on how to administer first aid in an emergency and has arranged to attend another first aid course. This ensures the well being of the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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 a first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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 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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