Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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510995 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2006 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 2000. She lives with her mother and sister in Teddington Middlesex. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. One room is a designated playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children under five on a part time basis. The family have one dog, one cat, two tortoises and fish in the garden pond. The childminder takes children to local parks and the library on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the NNEB child care qualification.

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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 very clean, tidy and well maintained home, where they are helped to learn good hygiene routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands with liquid soap and dry their hands before meals, after using the toilet and playing in the garden. The childminder helps children to learn why they need to wash their hands, as she explains to them why in simple terms.

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Helping children to be healthy

To safeguard children’s health and to prevent the risk of cross infection the childminder herself demonstrates good hygiene practices. For example, she washes her hands before serving children’s foods and after changing children’s nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children health is protected because the childminder keeps all perishable foods, provided in children’s lunch boxes in the fridge. To ensure continuity of care the childminder, discusses with the parents their child’s food intakes and keeps a record of any special dietary needs. She ensures children have fruit at snack times. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age and a fondness of fruit. Children are beginning to learn about foods that are good from discussions with the childminder. For example, she explains to them why fruit is better for them than sweets. Children are provided with ample drinks, to ensure they do not get dehydrated or thirsty. These are kept within their reach, so they are able to help themselves to them at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is safeguarded, whilst playing outside during the summer, because the childminder takes good precautions to ensures they are protected from the sun. For example, children wear hats and have sun protection cream applied.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and help them develop control of their bodies. They play on bikes, ride on toys and a small slide in the garden. They walk everywhere and enjoy taking the childminder’s pet dog for a walk. Children benefit from visits to parks on a regular basis, where they play hide and seek, use swings and large climbing equipment. They enjoy dancing on a stage which is in one of the parks of their visit. This promotes children’s physical skills and ensures they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children’s sleep needs are met well and children have time to relax as well as be active.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a suitable first aid box and attended first aid training, although written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment has not been requested. For continuity of care parents are informed of any accidents and medication given. Children who are infectious do not attend thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around the home safely because the childminder has taken action to minimise risks and by making hazardous items inaccessible to them. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The risk of accidents outside the home are reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about keeping children safe on outings. For example, she holds children’s hands or they hold onto the buggy when walking. Children are helped to learn about road safety, because the childminder explains to them about stopping and looking before crossing the road and waiting for the green man.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by all fire precaution equipment fitted appropriately and the smoke alarms are in working order. The childminder has thought about the fire evacuations procedures she would use in an emergency. However these are not written, nor have they been practised in order to help children to become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and what to do if she has concerns about a child. However, children are not fully protected because she does not have the county child protection procedures and contact numbers easily available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well supervised throughout the day, due to appropriate organization of the childminder and the layout of the designated playroom and areas used for childminding. Children choose activities from an excellent range of clean, quality play resources, which are easily accessible to them. The childminder makes sure that toys within children’s reach are suitable for their age and stage of development so children can play safely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are extremely confident and self assured in the company of the childminder. They relate well to her because she shows them warmth and affection. She spends time playing with the children and offers them excellent support and encouragement. This contributes to children’s sense of trust and belonging within the childminding environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and enjoy their play in the very the well organised designated playroom. This is evident, as they very eagerly choose what they want to play with from the extensive range of resources. Children use their imaginations very well using first hand experiences, such as pretending to be at the hairdressers. They enjoy rolling and mouldings play dough, making it into cakes and cooking them in the play cooker. Children love dressing up, then dancing and moving their bodies with great enthusiasm to Spanish music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children creative development is fully enhanced through an excellent range of activities, such as painting in various ways and sticking activities. They have access to sand and water play in the garden during the summer. Children enjoy collecting leaves and then making their own designs with them during a sticking activity. Children learn about a sense of time and life cycles, as they plant tomatoes, water them, watch them grow and see them produce an end product, which they can then enjoy eating.

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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 use language to express themselves well. They are able to access books at all times and enjoy having stories read to them by the childminder. Children are further helped to develop an interest in books, from regularly visiting the library and choosing books to take back to the childminder's home. Children enjoy using drawing and writing materials. The more able children are able to hold a pencil appropriately and write their name, forming recognisable letters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder works diligently to inspire, praise and encourage children to learn through play. For example, she helps children to learn numbers as they sing action songs and count bricks as they build with them. They learn about colours, as the childminder uses very effective questioning, such as what colour is the play dough you are playing with and what colour is the shirt you have on to-day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit significantly from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents. Children’s needs are met very well as the childminder obtains from the parents details of children’s individual needs, routines and medical needs. She follows children’s normal routine as much as possible and discusses any changes to this with the parents. To help children settle, she has a gradual induction plan and encourages them to bring in their favourite toys. The childminder has a good rapport with the parents and information is exchanged verbally with them about their day. The childminder provides a notice board for parents, which displays information about her qualification, registered numbers, insurance and how to make a complaint. Children take home some of their art work and photos are displayed, which shows parents activities they undertake, whilst in the childminder’s care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have good opportunities to learn about the local community, through regular visits to parks and the library. They are beginning to learn about the wider world, through discussions about other countries using the globe.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities learn about diversity and develop a respect of others, through a good range of books and toys reflecting positive cultural images. These are fully integrated into every day play. However children have no access to play materials portraying positive images of disability. Children are beginning to learn about different cultural festivals through discussions about them, through books, dancing to Indian music and making cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play and behave very well. The childminder's use of good girl/boy stickers and excellent use of praise to reinforce positive behaviour and acknowledge efforts and achievements, contributes towards children’s very high levels of self esteem. She gives children lots of attention and keeps them well occupied, preventing any difficult behaviour occurring. Children enthusiastically put the toys away, as they sing it is time to tidy up with the childminder. The childminder provides a very good role model for children, as she talks to them in a warm, kind and gentle manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is not currently caring for any children with special needs, she would welcome children with special needs. She demonstrated a good awareness of how to meet their needs and would provide a fully inclusive environment for them.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very relaxed and comfortable in the very well organised child centred environment, which help them gain confidence and be independent. The very well resourced play room maximises children’s play opportunities. There are displays of children work all around the walls and photos of children doing various activities. This child centred environment makes children feel very welcome and valued in the childminder’s home. Children receive the childminder’s full attention, as she dedicates all her time to them, when they are present.

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Organisation

The childminder makes good use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their child’s individual needs. She then uses this information to promote the welfare and the care of the children. Most required documentation is in place and well maintained, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well being. The childminder is enthusiastic and uses her wide knowledge of childcare to provide good quality care to children. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation was made at the last inspection. Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety, as poisonous materials have been made inaccessible to children.

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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): • request written permission from parents seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • devise and practise a emergency escape plan and obtain the county child protection procedures

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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 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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