Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507543 Unique Reference Number 27 March 2007 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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Woodhatch, Reigate. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus a toilet on the fist floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding two children after school. She walks to the local school to collect children and visits nearby shops and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, friendly environment. The childminder has acceptable procedures in place to ensure that sick children are excluded. She maintains children's health through suitable hygiene routines, which include hand washing before they eat, and after using the toilet. There are separate towels for children to use, to avoid the spread of infection.

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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 However, the childminder does not obtain prior written permission before all medication is administered, which affects children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with snacks, which include healthy options, and given a choice of food at mealtimes. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of healthy eating, and considers the nutritional value of food she offers to children. Drinks are available to children at all times, to ensure they are not thirsty. Children can lay on the settee if they are tired and wish to rest or sleep. They gain sufficient exercise playing in the garden when the weather is suitable, using the sport equipment that is available to them. Children also visit the park after school, and play on the large equipment provided, to strengthen their muscles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely downstairs in the childminder's home. They independently select the toys they wish to play with. Resources are stored in large plastic containers which are easily accessible to children. There is a broad range of toys to meet the needs of all minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has effective measures in place to ensure children's wellbeing. She carries out risk assessments on an ongoing basis, and regularly checks her smoke alarms. The childminder keeps spare batteries available, in case they need replacing. On outings the childminder keeps children in her sight at all times, and has written permission to take them in a vehicle. However, there are some minor hazards in the childminder's garden, as there is a potentially dangerous plant, and the shed has glass windows. Although the childminder has an emergency evacuation plan, she has not practised this with children. As a result, these issues impact on children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, because the childminder is aware of the signs of abuse. She has recently developed her knowledge and understanding of child protection. If she has any worries she will record her concerns and report them to the appropriate authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable in the childminder's care, as they are treated like members of her family. She knows children well, and discusses with them what they have been doing at home, as well as talking about what her own family have done. As a result, children are affectionate towards the childminder, kissing her goodbye when they leave. They play well with each other and talk about their activities, as they receive effective encouragement and support from the childminder. Her conversations with children make them think about what they are doing, and extends their play. The childminder is actively involved in children's activities, extending their understanding of number by counting everyday objects with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with educational games, such as toy computers, using their literacy skills. The childminder gently makes children aware of their mistakes, and checks that they spell words correctly when they are writing. The childminder intervenes in children's games to ensure fair play, and to check that younger children are not at a disadvantage. She makes cards and other items with children for special occasions, developing their creative abilities.

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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. Children are all treated in the same manner by the childminder. She liaises with parents when minding commences, to enable her to find out about their individual needs. The childminder has suitable resources to promote children's understanding of culture, gender and disability. She discusses any issues relating to disability with children as they arise, and they watch television programmes which make them more aware of different cultures. The childminder has experience of looking after children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She understands the need to adapt her care to meet their particular requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks to parents when children are collected, and they know that they can telephone her at any time. Parents are pleased with the care provided by the childminder, and believe that they receive sufficient information from her. The childminder has a suitable understanding of how to handle any concerns that parents may wish to raise. However, she has not made them aware of her complaints procedure, which impacts on the partnership she has with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Satisfactory behaviour management strategies are used by the childminder. Children know what they should not do, and inappropriate behaviour ceases once they have been given a warning. The childminder is quite firm with children, and they understand her expectations. She promotes positive behaviour by praise for small achievements children make.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. Her register is suitably completed, and her registration certificate is on display, to make parents aware of the conditions under which she operates. The childminder has attended training since the last inspection to improve her childcare knowledge. She has a portfolio to show new parents, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. This contains her qualifications, insurance details and her last inspection report. The childminder stores her records securely to maintain confidentiality, and shares them with a child's parents on request. 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 develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, and ensure that all dangerous substances and toiletries are inaccessible to children. It was also recommended that she review all documents relating to childminding to make sure children's records, contact details and parental agreements are accurate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now improved her child protection knowledge, and is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures, to protect children from abuse. Toiletries and other substances have been placed out of children's reach to ensure their safety. The childminder has annual reviews with parents to update contracts and to make sure that contact and personal details are correct, to safeguard children's welfare.

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Improvements 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

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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 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): • ensure prior written permission is obtained before all medication is administered • practise emergency evacuation procedures with children • ensure the garden is free from hazards • ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure.

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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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