Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307092 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Linda Close

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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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her family in a terraced house in Carshalton, in the London Borough of Sutton. There is one teenager in the family who is working. Children are cared for mostly on the ground of the house and only go upstairs to sleep or to use the toilet and bathroom. There is a secure garden at the rear of the house for outdoor play. Children are taken on outings to local parks, children's farms, a toddler group and the library. The childminder offers wraparound care and will take children to school and collect them at the end of the day. She is currently minding one child under one year of age. The childminder is an experienced foster carer, although, at present, she cares for foster

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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 children at the weekends only. The family has a cat. The family also has a non-venomous pet snake, which is kept securely in a tank upstairs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is safeguarded well when they are in the childminder's care, because she has attended relevant training in first aid. She keeps a suitable first aid kit to hand. Children are not exposed to unnecessary infections, because parents agree at registration to keep children at home if they are unwell. Children have their hands wiped before and after meals and after nappy changes, to teach them about good hygiene from an early age. The childminder maintains a good standard of cleanliness in her home. Children play on clean floor surfaces. Household pets have regular health checks and their food is kept out of reach of the children. Children are offered cool boiled water frequently and they thoroughly enjoy these drinks. At present, they are given food provided by their parents as this is their stated preference. However, the childminder is well informed about healthy eating and has

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Helping children to be healthy

attended a worthwhile training course to underpin her knowledge of nutrition for babies and young children. She provides a good range of tasty meals for occasions when parents wish her to do so. The children have ample space and sufficient toys for energetic play in the garden. They are taken to toddler group regularly, where there are good opportunities for play and healthy exercise. Those children who are not yet walking are encouraged to move, reach out for toys and stand with support. Toys for them to push along are available for when they are ready to use them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, secure home environment. The childminder cleans her home when children are not present, so she can focus all of her attention on them. Children have sufficient space to play and rest in comfort. Children benefit from good liaison with parents concerning their sleep preferences. For example, the childminder is currently working with a child's mother to encourage the child to sleep in a cot, rather than a car seat to give her more space to stretch and sleep. Children have an easily accessible garden area for outdoor play. Children can access their toys easily. The childminder puts out a different selection of toys for very small children each day. Children can see other toys stored on shelving and in transparent boxes, so they can make choices. They play with an interesting range of clean toys that are checked often and kept in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely in the living room under the watchful eye of the childminder. Catches on kitchen cupboards and a safety gate in the kitchen doorway, together

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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 ensure that children cannot access sharp or toxic materials in the kitchen. Electric sockets are safely covered if not in use. Garden tools and other implements are stored in a locked store outside to keep children safe. However, there are two safety issues in the home that remain outstanding. The toilet door lock cannot be opened from the outside and children can access the staircase. Children's welfare is safeguarded in relation to child protection issues, because the childminder is well informed. She is confident in her knowledge of what signs to note and the appropriate steps to take, if she is concerned for the wellbeing of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm for play and conversation. They are interested in the toys provided and explore them eagerly. Children were observed playing with rattles and a favourite battery operated toy that makes noises when buttons are pressed. They laughed and chuckled with pleasure at their success. Children's language development is well supported. They respond to the childminder's talk with a whole range of sounds, preliminary to early speech. They listen to the childminder with interest when she talks about colours and numbers and shows them pictures in books. Children enjoy songs and music and they have percussion instruments to make and explore different sounds. Babies look at mirrors curiously. They reach out to touch the surface and look closely at their own reflection. Children find out about the world beyond the childminder's home on frequent walks, picnics and outings. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy their time spent with the childminder and they learn to relate to others at their regular visits to the playgroup.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy continuity of care, because the childminder works well with parents. Children's individual needs are shared with the childminder at registration. She finds out important information, such as what children like and dislike and what they normally have as a comforter. Children only have food and drink that agrees with them, because the childminder finds out about any allergies they may have and this information is included in written contracts. Children can have food prepared by their parents if this is what parents prefer. Alternatively, food can be provided by the childminder if parents wish. Parents share a file of information compiled by the childminder showing details of the service that she provides. She keeps them up to date about children's activities and their development through daily discussions. All necessary permissions have been gained from parents in writing. The childminder's file for parents includes information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about how parents can contact Ofsted in the event of a complaint that the

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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 childminder is unable to resolve. However, the contact details for Ofsted are out of date. The childminder meets each child's individual needs well. She ensures that activities are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children meet a range of people at their playgroup visits. They learn to accept and respect diverse people through these outings and from playing with toys and books that reflect different cultures and customs. None of the children currently minded have learning difficulties, although the childminder is positive in her approach to supporting all children. Children are happy and well behaved with the childminder and her methods are shared with parents at registration and in subsequent discussions. She adopts a firm but kindly tone in her exchanges with children. She explains what is required of them,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

but does not raise her voice. Children are successfully distracted if they are into mischief.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive attitude towards training for her continuing professional development. She has attended several very worthwhile courses to underpin her work with children. Children are cared for at all times by the childminder and they are not left in the care of others. The childminder and her children were checked for their suitability to be with children at the time of registration. However, Ofsted has not been informed of a significant change in the family, which is a breach of regulation. The childminder arranges her home with children's comfort in mind. She organises their toys and resources, so that they are easily accessible to them and ensures that they are maintained in good order. The childminder maintains a useful file for parents, giving information about the service that she provides. Almost all of the information in the file is up to date. All records concerning attendance, accidents and

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Organisation

medication are in place and kept correctly to promote children's welfare. The childminder has written permission to take the children out and to care for them appropriately, in the absence of their parents. The setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it 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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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 satisfactory. 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 that the staircase is safe or inaccessible to children and that the toilet door can be opened from the outside • update the Ofsted contact information for parents to use in the event that they wish to make a complaint • ensure that Ofsted is promptly informed about significant changes

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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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