Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331954 Inspection date 19 June 2006 Inspector Denise Rosemary Olsson-Hildick

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 lives with her husband and child in Kingston on Thames, Surrey, near shops, parks, local schools, bus and train routes. Children have access to the entire home though are discouraged from going upstairs alone or entering the kitchen and family bathroom unless supervised. There is an enclosed garden at the back of the property. The family have one pet rabbit. The childminder is registered to care for five children and there are 2 children on roll. The childminder walks and drives to schools to take and collect children and attends local playgroups, support and activity groups on a regular basis. Children who have a special need or speak English as an additional language are welcomed and supported. The childminder is a member of

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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 the local and national branch of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The standard of accommodation is good. The home presents as warm, clean, spacious, well-maintained and suitably furnished. Family photographs, pictures, plants and children's own art work create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for children. Standards of hygiene are good. For example children wash their hands after using the bathroom, touching animals, coming in from the garden and before eating meals. A step enables children greater ease in reaching the sink. Hands and faces are carefully washed with wet-wipes after meals. Nappies are placed in a plastic sack, disposed of in a covered bin and disposable gloves are worn when nappies are changed. The changing mat, although clean, is not always disinfected between individual use which contributes to cross-infection. These precautions teach children habits of good hygiene and reduce illness or contamination. A pet rabbit lives in a

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Helping children to be healthy

cage indoors, often coming out into the sitting room where children sometimes stroke him. He has an annual inoculation, food and water are out of reach to children, he is completely toilet trained and domesticated. Having easy access to animals enables children to take comfort from and an interest in the care of small pets. Medication is stored out of sight and reach of children. The first aid box only contains those materials currently recommended and is checked regularly. These arrangements ensure medicine and materials are quickly available if children are ill. Good opportunities are available for children to rest, sleep, exercise indoors or in the fresh air. For example children sleep in pushchairs or cots in a darkened room. The arrangements match those that children are used to at home and therefore their sleep routines are not disrupted. The windows are fully open to allow a through-flow of fresh air and children thoroughly enjoy running into and around the garden. They

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Helping children to be healthy

ride bikes, sit on see-saws and have easy access to balls, climbing frame and push-along toys. Children who are younger and uncertain on their feet are supported while they take steps and, as they become steadier, encouraged to exercise by running races. These activities, introduced as play, ensure children enjoy regular exercise and develop good co-ordination in a pleasurable manner. The standard of meals and snacks is good. For example the childminder is able to provide breakfast, lunch, tea, drinks and snacks as necessary, catering for children who have a religious, health or cultural need. For breakfast children may have cereal and toast with a choice of juice or water in a non-spill mug. Children who are vegetarian have the same meal as others with an alternative protein source. This ensures children do not feel singled out. Snacks consist of fresh, or occasionally sugarless dried fruit and children eagerly tuck into carefully washed and halved

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Helping children to be healthy

grapes attractively served in individual bowls. Foods which are excluded or limited include chocolate, crisps, nuts and Coca-Cola. All meals are home-made with fresh

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ingredients and children are often invited to help prepare food which they thoroughly enjoy. The arrangements ensure children learn to enjoy and benefit from a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Standards of safety are good. Precautions include thermostatically controlled radiators, locks on windows, stair gates to the stairs and kitchen, cleaning materials and toiletries stored out of reach, a secure garden and front door, electrical outlets covered and trailing wires made safe. The bathroom door can be opened from the outside. Toys are regularly checked for safety, cleaned, discarded or repaired as necessary. Bark beneath the slide is thoroughly checked for animal droppings before children play in this area. Smoke alarms are tested regularly and there is a fire blanket in the kitchen. All children are carefully and conscientiously strapped into booster seats when they sit at the table and this keeps them both comfortable and secure. When children are taken out they sit in a buggy, have their hand held or wear reins. The front entrance gate is kept closed until all children are safely strapped into

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the buggy and this prevents them from running into the road. Road safety is taught. The childminder confirms that car seats conform to British Safety Standards and that seat belts are always worn. Outings are undertaken to local parks that are completely enclosed and the childminder always checks the perimeter for possible exit routes. When children feed the ducks they do so from the safety of the pushchair or are taken out of this one at a time to reduce any risk of accidents. Good precautions, inside and outside the home ensure children are safe and learn to associate these measures with care for their comfort. Satisfactory measures are taken to protect children's welfare. For example, the childminder is aware of signs and symptoms relating to child protection. She is aware of action to be taken in the event of concerns and who to contact for advice. In this manner children are safeguarded from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Opportunities for children to enjoy themselves are good. For example the childminder sits with children on the floor, helping to fix the pieces of a train track together. For the next few minutes they are busily involved with the play before moving on to choose from the variety of toys available. The childminder fetches coloured play dough and children use the tools to squeeze, roll and cut, some children focussing intently. Children choose books, pressing the battery operated switches to play tunes. They giggle and smile with delight waving arms and bouncing up and down. They also enjoy a shape posting box, watching and listening to the sounds this toy makes with great interest. Children sit together with the childminder, cuddling into her lap to look at a book and most of them look and listen intently. Activities are organised and include for example, art, cooking or textured materials and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

concentrate on themes such as `under the sea' and `jungles.' Collages depicting

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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 these are attractively displayed on the wall where children can see and take pride in the results of their efforts. Outings are regularly undertaken to places of interest, such as Richmond Park, children's farm, activity groups and local stables where children enjoy watching the horses. Photographs display children playing with water and sand, building a tower of bricks, chalking and visiting an activity group and farm. Children's facial expressions are generally of delight or fascination. Relationships with the childminder are warm and affectionate. For example she talks to children in a very calm, quiet and kind tone of voice. Eye contact, smiles and gentle touches reaffirm her care to each of the children. When children wake up tearful after sleeping they are instantly cuddled and offered comfort. The approach

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ensures children feel genuinely accepted and cared for. Toys, activities and equipment are of a high standard. These include for example, dolls, jigsaws, Duplo, push-along toys, cars, garage, kitchen centre, dressing up clothes and music tapes. These are all in good condition, easily accessible, clean and suitable for children's differing ages, abilities and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good arrangements are in place to ensure children have equal access and opportunity. For example the childminder believes boys and girls should have access to toys and activities of their choice without typecasting either gender. Toys present a positive image of diversity. For example dolls, puzzles, books and flesh toned pencils portray a positive image of people from different ethnic backgrounds. Dolls in wheelchairs and books portray a positive image of people with a disability. Seeing diversity reflected in play materials helps to reinforce positive messages about equality to children. The approach to including children with a disability is satisfactory. For example, the childminder welcomes such children depending on the nature of the difficulty, her family's needs and the suitability of the home environment. She is aware that the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership offer support and advice

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Helping children make a positive contribution

on this issue. The approach ensures all children feel involved. Management of behaviour is good. For example any unwanted behaviour from children is promptly, calmly and gently addressed. If children hurt others the childminder comforts the hurt child, says `no,' going on to explain how this hurts others and how to behave kindly. Her voice is consistently calm and her manner is patient. She suggests alternative activities in order to distract children. In extreme circumstances children are briefly removed from the situation. Praise for effort and achievement is frequent and kind. She says `good boy' and `good job' whenever any child behaves in an acceptable manner. She models friendly, kind and considerate behaviour, always saying please and thank you for children to imitate. Clear boundaries consistently and fairly applied help children to understand and comply with limits. Relationships with parents are good. For example most parents come in the home to

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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 settle their child, staying again at the end of the day to exchange information about their children. Children, aware of the good partnership the childminder has with their parents, then go on to also develop confidence and trust in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy playing in a well-organised home and garden, secure in a daily routine adapted to individual needs and able to choose activities of most interest to them. They benefit from the care provided by a kind, caring and patient childminder. Policies, records, systems and documents are up to date, comprehensive and stored in a confidential manner. These include for example, attendance register and a portfolio containing a range of policies, references, activity plans and menus. Systems are in place for parents to give written permission for medication, for this to be recorded and acknowledged by parents though one entry is missing. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and the Diploma in Home-based Childcare. She is keen to develop her skills with plans to undertake further child care courses. Children are protected and supported by comprehensive administrative

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Organisation

systems designed by the National Child Minding Association and which are complemented by those designed by the childminder, to ensure all children's needs are met. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure systems are used to record all medication • ensure changing mats are cleaned after each use

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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