Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285341 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2006 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and nine years old in Mytchett near Camberley in Surrey. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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. She is currently caring for three children under five years old. She is also registered for overnight care for one child under the age of eight years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She also takes children to the local parks on a regular basis.

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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 satisfactory. Satisfactory measures are taken to promote health and hygiene. Daily cleaning routines ensure toys, equipment and the premises are maintained effectively. Children learn simple hygiene routines after toileting and before eating as they wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. Sensible plans ensure that sick children are cared for appropriately until parents arrive and a well equipped easily accessible first aid box is available. However, the childminder does not have consent for emergency advice or treatment and medication administered has not been recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children enjoy continuity in their diets as their parents provide their food, whilst older children enjoy a variety of nutritious cooked dinners after school. The childminder has an awareness of healthy eating and encourages children to eat vegetables and fruit. They also enjoy the occasional treat of biscuit or cake. Good communication with parents ensures the childminder is aware of any dietary requirements and meets them appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children under two years have sufficient space to roll and play on the floor. They can pull themselves to standing and kick their legs and develop hand and eye co-ordination as they use age appropriate toys. Opportunities to visit the park and local soft play areas encourage children's abilities to balance and move with confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home environment is warm, welcoming and well maintained. Children use the familiar playroom mostly for their play although they do have supervised access to other rooms on the ground floor. The master bedroom provides a quiet safe environment for rest in a travel cot. The childminder checks the safety of the toys and equipment regularly to ensure that they remain in good condition and suitable for the children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sensible measures promote the children's safety. For example, safety gates on the playroom doorway and at the bottom of the stairs prevent children wandering unsupervised in areas where they may come to harm. Car seats are checked regularly and fitted securely in the car and the childminder ensures children wear reins in the high chair to prevent falling. The childminder has considered appropriately how she will evacuate the premises in the event of a fire and ensure the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, she is not confident regarding the procedures she would follow if she were concerned about a child in her care.

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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 satisfactory. Children have access to a satisfactory range of toys and activities for their enjoyment which they can easily access within the playroom, increasing their independence and ability to make choices. The childminder recognises that opportunities to meet other children and adults helps to build children's social skills and confidence, so they visit other childminders and local children's play activities regularly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is patient and caring. She sits at a low level to interact with the children talking to them about what they are doing and singing songs. However, the activities do not always meet the children's developmental needs. Children find puzzles which are too difficult for their stage of development frustrating and they lose interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder understands that children need variety and so provides them with opportunities for activity, stimulation, rest or quiet activity and regular nourishment throughout the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gathers appropriate information from parents to ensure she understands and can meet the child's individual needs each day. Introductions to the setting are planned enabling the child and parent to settle and adapt to the new arrangements. Daily face to face communication with parents ensures they are kept well informed about their child's day and enables any concerns to be discussed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children irrespective of gender play with the dressing up clothes and toys. Children go out in their local community and meet other children and adults enabling them to develop their awareness of the community around them and people's differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share, take turns and show care and consideration to others as they play. The childminder encourages good manners, reminding children to say please and thank you when necessary. When behaviour is unacceptable she talks to the child about what is wrong in order to help them understand and look for a more appropriate way of resolving the problem. Although serious incidents may be discussed with parents they are not recorded.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of her role and the requirements of her registration. The effective use of space and resources provides the children with a warm and caring environment, where children are secure and suitable measures are taken to promote their health and safety.

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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 Whilst some documentation is well maintained to promote the well being and care of the children, some is not available or does not contain sufficient information to provide a clear record.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to provide another smoke detector in the area where children sleep, review and update information and improve resources to reflect diversity. The childminder has fitted a smoke detector upstairs and given thought and consideration to the opportunities and resources the children have which help to increase their awareness of diversity. Her documentation has been reviewed recently however some documentation requires further improvement to ensure clear records are maintained of her practice.

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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. 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 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): • record administration of any medication and seek parental consent for emergency advice or treatment • improve information for parents regarding complaints about the service • improve knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three framework • improve awareness of the procedures to follow regarding child protection.

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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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