Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507402 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Amanda Jane Tyson 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and three teenage children in a detached house in Hinchley Wood, Esher. The home is situated close to playgroups, shops, station, bus routes and a park. The childminder is currently caring for five children, aged from seven months to seven years. One child attends on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children are cared for within the ground floor areas, which consists of an L-shaped lounge, kitchen-breakfast room and cloakroom. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play and the family have one dog; a schnauzer.

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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 protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder practices good standards of hygiene and operates a 24 hour exclusion policy for contagious conditions. For example, she washes her hands after changing nappies, and reminds the children to wash theirs before eating and after stroking the family dog. The childminder monitors and supports children's health needs. She keeps succinct written records of any accidents, existing injuries and administered medication, and makes sure that parents sign and date the entries which confirms their acknowledgement. Children's health, medical and emotional needs, and parental consents in relation to these are all clearly agreed with parents in writing prior to placement. The childminder has updated her first aid training. She is well equipped with knowledge and skills to meet children's individual health requirements. The childminder's operational practice, in

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Helping children to be healthy

the event of a child becoming unwell is clearly explained to parents in the form of a written procedure. Babies sleep routines are prioritised wherever possible, and they are able to rest comfortably in a familiar travel cot, which supports their sense of belonging. Children are happy and secure in the childminder's home environment. She is warm and affectionate towards the children, which encourages their confidence in spontaneously requesting physical comfort and interactions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of activities which encourage their gross motor development and a healthy and active lifestyle. She takes them to gym club once per week and outings to the park are a regular feature. They have opportunities to climb and ride bikes at toddlers, play football and swing from the tyre in the garden. Children benefit from the healthy and well balanced diet which consists of fresh fruit snacks, constant access to drinks, and a hot nutritious meal at lunchtime. The childminder exploits mealtimes to promote social interaction and good manners; children all sit together at the table and are encouraged to join in conversations and feed themselves.

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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 warm, safe and secure environment. Babies have plenty of floor space to manoeuvre around. Children can help themselves to a good range of play and learning resources because they are all stored in accessible cupboards and shelving. Children have access to all the garden, but the childminder has partitioned off the rear to provide a fowl free area for children to use the climbing apparatus, goal post and swing tyre; the family dog is prevented from using this section of the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The garden is secured with good quality perimeter fencing and the bolt on the front door is appropriately pitched above children's reach, which prevents children from accessing the busy residential road. The children's awareness of what to do in the event of a fire was bought to life recently when the oven caught light. The operational plan went smoothly and the arrival of two fire engines was the focus of discussion for a number of weeks afterwards. She tests the smoke detectors on a regular basis to make sure that they are in working order and the fire

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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 blanket is wall mounted in the kitchen to enable easy access. Within the home, good preventative measures are taken to reduce the possibility of accidents, for instance electrical computer wires are out of children's reach. The childminder drives a seven seater vehicle and has made sure that she has appropriate car seats for all the children. Children are closely supervised when taken out into the community, although the childminder has not implemented any additional precautions, for example to reduce a separation period in the event that they did become temporarily misplaced or lost. Additionally, if it was necessary for children to be reunited with parents due to the childminder becoming unwell, it would be difficult for this to be arranged because she does not carry information which clearly explains that the children with her are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

not her own; parent contact numbers are not easily accessible to a third party because they are stored on her mobile telephone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses her accident and existing injuries records as a tool for monitoring children's well-being, which means that steps can be taken to minimise future risks to children. For example, recurrent causes or patterns of injuries would be highlighted. She has recently updated her child protection training and as a result has detailed her procedure for recording and reporting concerns; parents are provided with clear information that explains her regulatory responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a varied range of activities which are based upon their particular interests and attributes, both inside and outside the home throughout the week. For example, one child is particularly advanced in his gross motor development, which is now being well challenged and supported through the weekly gymnastics club. The children enjoy a variety of trips to local community groups where they are able to socialise with other children and take part in group activities such as singing, role play and thematic arts and crafts. The childminder allows the children time to play independently, use their imagination and work out practical problems within the home. They patiently create and connect their own train track, and build and assemble different climbing frame structures in the garden. Children are becoming competent in their use of small tools such as scissors because resources are freely accessible. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

spends time listening to what the children have to say and encouraging them to express themselves. She talks to them and shows interest in what they have to say. As a result, children are becoming articulate communicators. They confidently sing nursery rhymes and show interest in the lovely selection of books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well which enables her to respond to their emotions and childhood concerns. She conscientiously seeks out resources to help her support specific individual needs, such as books and a pair of left-handed scissors. The childminder has very recently completed a two-session workshop on the 'Birth to three matters' framework which she has begun to use to devise systems to monitor and assess children's development.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder places considerable emphasis on meeting children's individual needs. She purchased left-handed scissors for one child, takes another to gym club, and selects appropriate resources so that babies can take part in activities at the table with older children. Children are learning about the wider world, of the differences and similarities between each other through discussions and the use of books. A range of arts and crafts planned for December, are intended to raise the children's awareness of different cultures and religions, such as making candle holders to promote awareness of the Diwali festival of light, alongside the Christian Christmas celebrations. A recent Blue Peter programme which focussed on 'Black history' provoked a seven year-olds interest. The childminder supported this by taking the time to watch it with him and discuss in depth his thoughts and concerns afterwards. The childminder positively

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Helping children make a positive contribution

promotes non-stereotyped play which enables boys to act out positive parenting roles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has cared for children with learning and physical disabilities in the past and has the experience of working in partnership with external agencies alongside parents to support identified needs. Her positive ethos is well demonstrated in her written statement for caring for children with special needs. The childminder has devised a written procedure which explains her methods for encouraging positive and dealing with challenging, behaviour. Children are polite and behave well because the childminder treats children with respect and is herself courteous and positive. She sets realistic boundaries taking consideration of their age or stage of development and is consistent in her approach which is shared and agreed with parents. The childminder keeps parents informed about children's daily care routines and developmental progress through verbal feedback at the end of the day. They are aware of most of her regulatory

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Helping children make a positive contribution

responsibilities, but the procedure for making a complaint has not been updated to reflect new guidelines.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder understands her responsibilities to work within the constraints of the conditions of her registration. She makes sure that part time children do not overlap and she makes the most of the opportunities to spend time with children individually. For example, with babies or toddlers when three year-olds are at school. The childminder makes sure that children are protected from un-vetted adults when she is out and about in the community. She makes good use of local facilities which encourages the children to take part in community life, and organises the space well in her home. The childminder keeps up to date with childminding practice issues by attending evening training courses, the learning of which is used well to develop her service.

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Organisation

With the exception of providing parents with a written statement on the procedure to follow if they have a complaint, all records, policies and procedures which are required for the safe and efficient management of the provision, and to promote the children's welfare, care and learning are maintained. They are stored securely to ensure confidentiality and are effectively shared with parents. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder took immediate steps to meet the three recommendations for improvement raised at the last inspection by: submitting criminal records bureau disclosures for her adult aged children; improving her system for recording children's daily attendance; and by replenishing the contents of her first aid box.

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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): • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the revised procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • improve procedures for keeping children safe on outings.

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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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