Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY229530 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 October 2002. She lives with her husband and four children, aged 19, 17, 16 and 5 years. They live in a three bedroom house in Worcester Park, Surrey. The home is situated within walking distance of high street shops, schools and community resources. All the rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. The first floor is not used, except the toilet and bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden, providing outdoor play space.

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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 There are no family pets. The childminder is a member of the National childminding Association and she belongs to the "Children Come First", Sutton Community Support Network, which is an endorsed quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder provides a daily range of stimulating activities and practical routines, which contribute towards their developing understanding of how their bodies work and what is good for them. Healthy snacks and balanced meals introduce children to good nutrition and encourages interest and fondness for a wide range of fruits. Children know when they need a drink, they confidently ask for water and are helped to understand the importance of wearing sun protection and hats when necessary. Toilet steps enable and encourage young children to confidently manage their own toileting and hand washing, which makes the routine fun. Daily use of the spacious garden encourages active physical skills and the addition of a gazebo as an extension to the lounge, enables continual enjoyment of fresh air, regardless of weather conditions. Strong and affectionate relationships between the childminder and children enhances

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Helping children to be healthy

feelings of security, particularly younger children who become distressed in the presence of strangers. The childminder knows the children well, which enables her to provide high levels of emotional support. Her understanding of the importance of routines, such as sleep and comforts equips her with the skills to address identified needs.

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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 safe and welcoming environment, where potential hazards are mostly well identified and minimized. A sturdy quadruple swing frame is securely cemented into the ground, which enables groups of children to play co-operatively and safely together. Children move independently between the two ground floor play rooms, help themselves to toys and resources from the safe, low level shelving and they know what to do if the smoke alarm goes off. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure a consistent approach to behaviour management, which is supported with a well written policy. Children are helped to understand the concept of sharing, through turn taking and are developing the skills to judge their own risk, for example; 3 year olds independently climb out of the swing boat, whilst a 2 year old decides to wait for the childminder's help. Comprehensive health and safety procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

effectiveness in keeping children safe, for example on outings, visits to community

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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 groups and systems for recording accidents and administered medication. Whilst the childminder has a basic understanding of child protection issues, she is not secure in her knowledge of recording procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Three year olds are happy and content in their environment. They confidently question, investigate and try new skills, for example sitting contentedly together on the floor with sequencing puzzles, being helped by the childminder to master the art of using the swing and using their imagination in pretend play to record blood pressure and heart beats. Younger and less settled children are well supported with high levels of adult guidance and intervention, which enables them to achieve new skills and feel secure. Books are independently selected and looked at with interest, children have fun identifying weather conditions, which are recorded on the wall chart. Numbers and letters are displayed on attractive posters to promote awareness of print and the childminder exploits opportunities within practical routines to encourage counting, such as when climbing the stairs and identifying the colours of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

building bricks. Children's developing use of articulate language is well supported and encouraged throughout the day. Meal times provide a forum for social interaction and worthwhile discussions, for example children debate their fruit preferences, recall what they had yesterday and talk about what they are going to do next. Children enjoy the regular routine of watching the Tweenies and benefit from the childminders motivation to expand on their interest, for example organising art and craft activities for Chinese New Year. The childminder's sound knowledge of child development, her participation in the "Children Come First" accreditation scheme and planned attendance on the "Birth -Three Matters" training ensures effective daily planning, whereby activities are adapted to meet individual learning needs and enable children to play happily together. Where parents have agreed, the childminder maintains a daily journal

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

detailing children's developmental progress and next steps for learning and in line with her commitment to continual improvement, she hopes to extend this to all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world and their local community through regular visits to parks, mother and toddler groups and the library etc. The childminder has introduced the children to re-cycling, they eagerly save their yoghurt pots for modelling and know which bins to place particular rubbish in. The provision of multi-cultural play resources, effective use of media resources and interesting activities, such as the celebration of different festivals and learning to count in the home languages of attending children, helps promote awareness of diversity and

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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 understanding of others differences. Children are well behaved, they understand what is expected of them, respond with concern, when another is upset and are developing high levels of independence and confidence. The childminder's good relationship with parents ensures consistency and continuity of care for the children. She is highly respectful of parental wishes and keeps them informed about children's daily care, activities and developmental progress. A welcome notice in a variety of languages offers a warm greeting and her policies and procedures are comprehensively compiled in an introductory pack for parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans her space well, children have the use of both reception rooms, the long garden is well equipped and used daily to encourage children's large motor physical skills. Play resources are well organised, so that children can help themselves and activities are effectively planned to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has recently updated her first aid qualification, to ensure her procedural knowledge is current and is working towards an accreditation in quality assurance, demonstrating her commitment to developing her skills and knowledge of child care and education. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted and she has devised a wealth of additional policies and procedures to promote her service provision. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection. However, the childminder has since moved home and numerous safety precautions have been put in place to ensure children's safety. Additionally, she has commenced the "Children Come First" accreditation scheme and is booked to attend the Birth-Three Matters" training.

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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

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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 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 stinging nettles in the rear garden do not present risks to children • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, policies and procedures

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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