Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY296959 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2006 Inspection date Hillary Gregory 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 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 husband and their two children of school age. The family live in a house in Newdigate, Surrey, close to local shops and parks. Childminding takes place in the kitchen/diner, living room and ground floor cloakroom only. Sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder offers overnight care and is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years. There are currently 2 children on roll.

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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's health is promoted well through the childminder ensuring good standards of hygiene in her home. Toys and outside equipment are regularly cleaned to promote children's good health. Children wash their hands before snack and discuss how they use soap to wash away germs. Children enjoy a variety of healthy meals that are prepared by the childminder. The childminder incorporates fruit and vegetables into snacks and freshly cooked food. Children talk about what they had to eat for breakfast. Children can help themselves to cups of fresh drinking water which are placed within easy reach.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop healthy bodies by taking regular exercise. Children have daily opportunities to go outside in the garden to play or visits to the park or to a soft play area which helps them develop their physical skills. They move freely around the rooms used for minding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to have a sleep or a period of relaxation after lunch. The childminder has procedures in place which ensure parents are informed of her policy to care for sick children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and children receive appropriate care if they feel unwell.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play within a welcoming home environment with their pictures displayed on the walls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety inside the home is generally well promoted. There are good security procedures to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. A written risk assessment is in place, although this is does not fully cover all the areas of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to access a range of toys and play materials which are of good quality and developmentally appropriate. They independently select books and bring them to look at with the childminder. Children play safely as they are well supervised by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an awareness of issues relating to child protection. She has a written statement to inform parents of her responsibility with regard to this. However, she does not have a copy of the guidance booklet "What to do if you're worried a child is being abused". She understands the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect but is not completely secure in the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure in their relationship with the childminder. They receive individual attention which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent.

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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 Children make choices about which book they want share with the other children. They all sit on or around the childminder and enjoy a story. Children also take turns in telling the story to everyone which develops their confidence and self esteem. A music tape play plays quietly and when a song comes on which they like the childminder turns up the volume and they all sing together. Children are encouraged to learn about colour as they look at pictures or when sorting building bocks. Children are developing an understanding of number as they count how many biscuits and grapes they have at snack time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes a continual interest in their welfare and plays with them at their level. Children laugh and have fun as they all take part in role play about the first day at school/nursery. Children play independently sitting at the table with a tray of magnetic shapes or together lying on the floor in the lounge completing a large puzzle. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three framework of good practice and she is developing her knowledge and understanding of this. She refers to this when planning activities for children under three years of age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are being met as the childminder informs parents daily about their care and development. The childminder has written policies and procedures for parents to ensure they are informed of some of the main aspects of the business. However these are not always comprehensive and do not always have the relevant agencies' contact details included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound awareness of equal opportunities. Children have access to resources that reflect positive images of social diversity. She takes opportunities to involve the children in projects initiated at school such as, 'around the world' by collecting examples of the Hindu culture such as a sari and Indian coins. The childminder seeks information from parents to ensure she meets the children's individual needs. For example, if a child has dual languages she learns a few words.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are praised by the childminder when they behave well. However, the childminder is not always consistent in her approach to situations and does not always take opportunities to explain to children what is expected and why behaviour is unacceptable.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and at ease in a welcoming environment of the childminder's home. There is plenty of space to allow children to play freely and they have regular opportunities to be active within the daily routine. The children interact well with the childminder and each other enabling them to feel confident and self assured.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. They benefit from her continuous attention which helps their development and to feel secure. A diary is

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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 completed daily by the childminder which she shares with parents to show how children spend their time.

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Organisation

Most required documentation, certificates and other records that contribute to the children's welfare are in place. The childminder has written policies and procedures but they are not always clear and do not include all relevant information and detail.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the quality of care was judged as inadequate and actions were made relating to organisation and safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to plan and organise her day to meet all the children's needs appropriately and to plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs. The childminder has a written plan for each day showing the routine and activities she provides for the children in her care. Activities are planned to meet the varying ages of the children she cares for. She is aware of the Birth to three framework and takes this into account when planning activities for children under three years of age.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to complete a risk assessment of all areas used by minded children. This has been completed although there is insufficient detail in part of the assessment which has been carried forward in this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to maintain an accurate and detailed record of attendance that reflects the actual times of arrival and departure of minded children. A daily register is in place which details exact times of arrival and departure and so shows when the children are in the childminders care. The childminder has made satisfactory progress in making improvements since the last inspection.

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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 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): • review and update knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • review behaviour management strategies to maintain consistency • review documentation to ensure all policies and procedures are clear and include references to relevant agencies and the risk assessment includes all necessary detail

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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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