Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY291951 Inspection date 08 July 2005 Inspector June Fielden

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 5 and 1 in Godalming, Surrey. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children part-time. She walks and drives to local shops, parks and schools. The childminder takes children to toddler groups. The family have a pet cat.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder develops children's awareness of personal hygiene. She reminds children to use a tissue when they sneeze. The childminder ensures they do not forget to wash their hands after using the toilet or when they have been involved in messy activities. However, children are not provided with separate towels to dry their hands on, in order to prevent the risk of infection. Details of children's dietary requirements are used by the childminder to ensure their nutritional needs are met. Children are given suitable food to maintain their good health. The childminder regularly offers children drinks to ensure they are not thirsty, especially in hot weather, when they can take them outside. However, the childminder does not encourage children to develop their independence by enabling them to obtain drinks for themselves. The childminder provides opportunities for children to stay healthy through a range of

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. For example, children can use sit and ride toys in the house and garden or dig in the sand pit on the patio. The childminder takes children on walks to the shops and parks for additional physical exercise.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean and welcoming. Children independently select activities from a suitable range of toys and equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. They can move freely around the childminder's house. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, a child who was climbing on a bench was informed that this was not a good idea because she could fall and hurt herself. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments to ensure her home is free from hazards. Currently, however, not all bedrooms are safe for children to play in, and they can open exterior doors by themselves. The childminder promotes children's welfare by having the required documents in place. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has the appropriate written permissions from parents. The childminder has a suitable understanding of

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection to keep children safe from harm. She knows how to seek advice and who to contact if she has concerns about a child.

p.3

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 relate well to each other. The childminder provides opportunities for them to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. The childminder promotes younger children's learning by promoting activities such as mark making with large chalks. She encourages them to join in with the older children, but is close by to provide support when necessary. The childminder shares books with the children and asks them questions to develop their language skills. They benefit from exploring resources provided by the childminder, such as sand and water. Children use their imagination when creating their own sea world in a bucket. The childminder uses these opportunities to extend children's learning, by suggesting they feel the strange texture of the wet sand. She

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

involves children in art and craft activities, providing the support needed to ensure they successfully complete the task. Consequently, children take pride in what they achieve. For example, when the children were making paper sunflowers the childminder gave appropriate encouragement. This ensured children had an end product which they were proud to share with others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are greeted warmly on arrival, which helps them to settle comfortably. They are happy to stay with the childminder as she acknowledges them and enables them to feel part of the group. She is aware of children's individual needs and caters for them accordingly. For example, the childminder ensures that one child is able to watch his favourite television programme each day. The childminder makes children aware of different cultures through the selection of books available for them to use. However, resources to heighten children's awareness of disability are limited. As a result, opportunities to promote children's learning in this area are missed. The childminder maintains satisfactory standards of behaviour, reasoning with children who are old enough to understand. She has a friendly, open relationship with parents, ensuring she is approachable should they have any problems. The

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder is always available to discuss children's progress with parents at the end of the day.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home well to allow adequate space for children to play and use larger equipment. Her attendance record is kept up to date. The childminder stores her records securely and information is readily available to parents. The childminder provides sufficient information for new parents to inform them about how she organises her practice. She does not plan all her weekly activities in advance, as she prefers to remain flexible enough to meet children's needs.

p.4

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 However, she ensures that children experience regular trips out, including visits to groups to meet other children. Overall the needs of all children are met.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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 resources are available to promote children's understanding of disability • ensure children are unable to open exterior doors • ensure the bedrooms used by children are safe

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5