Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY236389 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2006 Inspection date June Fielden 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 2003. She lives with her partner, adult son and six year old daughter in Epsom, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding. Children are taken to local play parks for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently minding three children under five part-time and one child before and after school. She walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends several toddler groups and visits local shops and parks. The family have a pet dog.

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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 provided with opportunities to exercise effectively. They visit local parks, where they strengthen their muscles on the swings, slides and other large equipment available to them. Children walk the dog with the childminder, and attend a variety of toddler groups, where they play and socialise with others. The childminder follows parents' own sleep routines for children, and a quiet room is available for them to rest in.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sick children are excluded by the childminder, to avoid the spread of infection. Her accident and medication records are accurately completed. The childminder maintains children's good health through her successful hygiene routines. Children wash their hands before eating, after touching the dog or going to the toilet. They have their own towel to dry their hands on, to prevent the risk of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered nutritious food, as the childminder has an understanding of healthy eating and includes plenty of fruit and vegetables in their diet. She offers children fruit, yoghurt and bread sticks for snacks. Meals are mainly cooked from fresh ingredients, and children are given a mixture of food that includes healthy options, and dishes that they particularly like. The childminder has a certificate in food hygiene and prepares meals in a healthy manner. Drinks are available to children throughout the day, to prevent them from being thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a friendly, welcoming environment. They have their own playroom, where colourful examples of children's work decorate one of the walls. Most of the toys are stored in large plastic containers, allowing children to help themselves to the resources. The larger equipment such as the dolls houses are set up around the room, ready for children to use. Consequently, they move around freely in the playroom, independently selecting the toys they wish to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is assured through the broad range of measures the childminder has in place to keep children safe. She has an emergency escape plan, and regular fire drills are practised with children. These are recorded in her file. The childminder has a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms on each floor, which are checked regularly, to safeguard children's welfare. However, hazard's such as the living room fireplace and a glass fronted picture are accessible to children, and impact on their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, because the childminder has recently attended training in child protection, and has a good understanding of this subject. She is aware of the signs of abuse to look for, and records any concerns she has about children's welfare. The childminder's child protection policy effectively states the procedure she will follow if she suspects abuse.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children concentrate well on activities, due to the enthusiastic support provided by the childminder. For example, a child putting together a difficult jigsaw puzzle was engaged in conversation by the childminder throughout the task. She kept the child focused on the activity by asking him to look at the picture for clues, and to find pieces of a particular colour or shape. She discussed with the child whether the pieces he needed had straight or curved sides, extending his understanding of shape. He was encouraged to be independent, and put the pieces of the puzzle together for himself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good relationship with the childminder, and as a result are confident enough to initiate conversations with her, as they see her more as a friend. The childminder boosts children's self-esteem by making them feel useful. She gives them little tasks to complete, such as finding the babies changing mat. Children participate in art and craft activities planned by the childminder. These include baking, painting and junk modelling, to develop children's imagination and creativity. She is familiar with the Birth to three matters framework, which she uses when planning activities for young children, and completes development records on their progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder, and given some individual attention. She liaises with parents to meet children's needs by obtaining as much information as possible about them when minding commences. The childminder is happy to mind children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and will include them in all activities. She will offer encouragement and extra support to enable them to fully participate in everything she organises.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are pleased with the care provided for their children. They believe they are well settled with the childminder, as children do not want to go home at the end of the day. Parents are regularly informed of children's progress, either through daily diaries, or a form which they are given when children are collected. These provide them with details of the food children have eaten and what they have been doing. Parents are aware of the childminder's procedure for recording complaints, which are logged appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are shown warmth and affection by the childminder. They are given praise and encouragement when they have done something good. When children misbehave the childminder calms them down, and may remove them from the group to discuss their conduct. She reasons with older children, to enable them to see what they have done wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety is assured when visitor's are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. She plans her week effectively, to include school runs and visits to toddler groups. The childminder organises art and craft activities for days when she has not arranged outings

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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 for children. She regularly updates her policies and children's records. The childminder stores children's personal details securely, to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder has a folder of information to share with new parents, to inform them how she organises her practice. This includes details of her qualifications and liability insurance. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder seek written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, and improve safety in the home. She has now obtained written permission for the emergency medical treatment of all minded children, to safeguard their wellbeing. The safety issues raised have now been addressed. The childminder has lowered the temperature of the radiators, and sharp objects are now inaccessible to children, in order to protect them from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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

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 the home is free from hazards.

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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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