Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333014 Unique Reference Number 17 October 2006 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 2006. She lives with her family in a house in Goldsworth Park, Woking. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She currently cares for six children who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Local parks, shops, and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have cats, rabbits and a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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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 are cared for in a clean and spacious home. The childminder follows good hygiene practice to minimise potential cross infection and contamination. She promotes the children's awareness and understanding of good health and hygiene by encouraging them to wash hands after toileting, handling the animals and before eating. She uses a changing mat for changing nappies and uses antibacterial wipes to clean the surface after each use to avoid any cross infection. Children are provided with separate towels to dry their hands. Young children's faces and hands are wiped before and after they eat. This ensures they are clean and helps them to develop good routines from an early age. The family dog is kept in the utility area or in a sectioned off area of the garden. These areas are not accessible to the children and this ensures that the children are kept safe from potential health risks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to appropriate treatment in case of an accident because the childminder has taken paediatric training in first aid. A system for obtaining written consent for medication makes sure that children receive medicines in line with parents' wishes. Parents have not given consent for the childminder to seek emergency treatment. This means that the children may not be cared for according to the parents wishes in the event of an emergency. An appropriate policy for sick children ensures that they do not present a potential source of infection to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a healthy menu and offers home cooked meals using fresh ingredients. Children enjoy participating in cooking and enjoy making their own pizzas. Some parents currently provide foods for their children and the childminder ensures that meals are presented attractively. Children are well nourished. They follow a balanced diet, which helps them to develop good eating patterns from the start. Drinking water is freely available for children to help themselves. This encourages them to think about their personal needs and ensures they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to play outdoors and enjoy the benefits of exercise. They enjoy regular walks and trips to the park where they can run and take advantage of the open space. The childminder also takes the children to the local toddler group where they are able to develop their physical skills using a variety of large motor equipment i.e. climbing frames and slides. The well established routine provides time for regular rest and sleep as needed. This balance is an important factor in promoting healthy growth and development in very young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, secure environment. Minding is generally confined to the ground floor, where children are directly supervised. Toys are chosen to be safe and suitable for the children and presented for easy selection.

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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 The childminder has assesses her home for safety and takes steps to minimise potential hazards. For example, stair gates and socket covers are in place, shelving units are fixed to the walls, hazards are stored out of reach and the internal front door is locked to keep the premises secure. Children are closely supervised at all times to ensure their safety. Young children enjoy crawling freely at their own pace, moving around the floor space from one side of the room to the other and become exited when they master rolling over from their tummies onto their backs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children and the procedures to take if concerned. She has informed parents of her role. This promotes the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and are happy and confident in her care. The childminder spends her time playing with the children, and they approach her freely for support. Sometimes the children enjoy selecting and investigating the toys on their own, which helps them to develop independence. They enjoy lying on the floor on their tummies and reach out and pull over the activity tree. They press the buttons and listen eagerly to the musical rhyme that starts to play. They notice the bright lights and watch with intent. As the music stops they roll over on to their backs, turn their heads and push the buttons once more. They hear the music again and watch the bright lights flash on and off. They kick their legs and smile with excitement. Their hands touch the coloured balls and they roll on to their tummies and look eagerly for the balls. They manage to stretch their arms out straight and grasp the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

balls in their fingers. They enjoy holding the balls in their hands and put them to their mouths and suck hard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder speaks gently to the children and chats to them. She repeats the children's early attempts at words and puts them into context. For example, when the young child makes the noise of a car the childminder praises his efforts and acknowledges the noise by saying "well done car!" These actions encourage the children to become skilful communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers a variety of activities to provide a balance of learning and play opportunities. Children have opportunities to meet friends, which helps them to learn about the wider world and develop social skills. Children have plenty of cuddles and attention, to help them feel secure as their emotions develop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder divides her attention between the children to ensure their needs are met. She finds out about children's needs and preferences initially from parents and records relevant information. She responds to the needs of children and adjusts the routine to meet their needs if required. Children learn respect and consideration for others because the childminder is a positive role model. She helps children to learn about themselves through discussion and talking

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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 about events that have happened in their lives. Children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. Children have access to a good range of play resources which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability such as books, dolls and play food. This helps children to understand about the diversity in society. They learn about the local community through visits to the local parks, shops and Toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children and the childminder share appropriately warm, close, caring relationships. This means that the children are confident and comfortable in the homely environment and are able to progress at a pace suitable to them. The childminder shows respect and understanding to the children. She provides them with lots of interesting and exciting activities and praises their achievements. They are aware of the boundaries that the childminder sets, consequently, because they feel secure and are aware of the daily routines, their behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents, sharing both written and verbal information about the children in her care and the service that she provides. Written contracts are kept and are reviewed on a regular basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All relevant checks on suitability are in place for the childminder and household members. The childminder has completed the required initial training and has undertaken further courses to develop her practice. Children thrive in a child friendly, loving environment. They are happy, relaxed and very settled, consequently, they benefit from being cared for in a well-organised home. The childminder plans her routine to reflect the needs of the children in her care. She balances her time so that all the children receive her attention and support and good relationships are fostered.

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Organisation

Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating resources that promote their development in all areas. All resources are easily accessible and the childminder responds quickly to the children's interests.

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Organisation

Information kept about the children is relevant, stored to maintain confidentiality and promotes their welfare. Regular verbal and written information is shared with parents to ensure continuity of the children's care. Documentation is well maintained. Written policies and procedures are in place and are readily available to parents. Parents have not given permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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 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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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 parents have given permission to seek emergency treatment or medication

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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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