Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337749 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, one toddler age and the other primary school age in Blackwater, near Camberley, Surrey. The childminder has no pets. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Children only go upstairs for the toilet and to sleep. The childminder can take and collect children from local schools. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained family home where the standards of cleanliness are good. The childminder takes care to minimise the risk of cross infection as she wears gloves for nappy changing, wipes the changing mat after each change and disposes of nappies promptly to avoid contamination. The childminder provides separate flannels and hand towels for each child. She makes sure the premises are clean ready for when children arrive. Children receive

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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 praise and encouragement as they wash their hands before eating and after playing and painting in the garden which helps them become independent and raises their awareness of good hygiene routines. The childminder has a range of documentation to ensure she records accident and medication and these are shared with parents. The records of consent from parents that give the childminder permission to give emergency pain relief medication are not in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They have daily access to fresh and dried fruit and breadsticks for snacks midmorning and a varied range of freshly prepared sandwiches for lunch. The children enjoy picnic style lunches in the garden as they eat sandwiches with yoghurts and fruit. Sample menus are prepared and shared with parents; individual preferences are discussed and noted. The childminder records what children have eaten in her diary and this can be shared with parents if requested. Children are encouraged to drink regularly to keep up their fluid intake as drinks are prepared and ready for them at all times throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to the fresh air. Children play outside at every opportunity weather permitting, as the childminder takes all activities outside when the weather is nice. Children develop strength and co-ordination as they play with balls, use wheeled toys and climb on, over, and under large and small equipment suitable for their ages. They go out to the park and for walks or outings in the local environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents are welcomed by the childminder as they arrive into the well organised home environment which develops the children's sense of belonging and self esteem. The childminder organises her home well so the children are able to move about independently, safely and be comfortable within it. They freely move from inside to the garden outdoors. Use of the childminder's home is well thought through with a space in the main bedroom set aside for babies to rest in. All rooms are well ventilated and maintained at a comfortable temperature. Sleeping children rest quietly and are monitored regularly. The childminder has completed a risk assessment of her home and garden and takes positive steps to promote and protect children's welfare. Hazards have been minimised, for example, a safety gate is in place across the living room door preventing children's access to the front door and the stairs, sockets are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

covered and kitchen cupboards are protected so children do not access cleaning materials or sharp knives. However, risk assessment procedures are not fully effective as the barrier around the patio has loose slabs and these are a potential hazard for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a wide range of good quality age appropriate toys and equipment to support their play, which are stored in containers in the conservatory area and in the living room. Sufficient safety equipment and child-size furniture is readily available for children to use. All the resources are clean and checked routinely for broken parts. Children help keep the toys clean as they help with washing the toys in the garden enjoying the water play. Children are safeguarded from harm as the childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection procedures. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they discuss fire evacuation to develop their awareness and confidence in an emergency. The childminder invited the local fire officer in to advise on fire prevention and evacuation. The childminder talks to the children about road safety when out locally and using toys safely within the home.

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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 good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. The childminder has a warm caring manner and is very calm and patient. She has a good awareness of children's individual needs and, as a result, children thrive and make good progress in their development. They benefit from access to a wide range of interesting, challenging activities, such as baking cakes and planting sunflower seeds, and potato printing provided by the childminder to engage their interest. They initiate their own play and make their own choices from a wide range of age-appropriate resources such as, small world toys, role-play props, craft materials, books, puzzles and musical instruments. All children learn about their local environment through visits to local parks and by exploring the nearby shops and parks. They socialise and mix with other children at toddler and childminding groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework as a planning resource for younger children. Her practice shows that she provides a good range of experiences for younger children to help them develop. For example, by providing correctly proportioned equipment and feeding utensils, by sitting together to share books, painting and craft activities, and by exploring toddler musical toys designed to aid sensory development. Children benefit from positive interaction with the childminder; she develops vocabulary by sharing books, and develops counting skills as children count objects in the books. She supports their learning very well as she encourages and joins in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, and respected as individuals. They are supported effectively by the childminder. She has a good awareness of children's individual needs, as a result, children are confident and able to settle comfortably and feel at ease with her. The children are confident in the relaxed atmosphere and behave very well. The childminder has a good understanding of methods to use to manage children's behaviour and has recently attended training on this area in order to enhance her skills. She has a calm and consistent approach to children, praising good manners, encouraging toddlers to share toys, and effectively distracting them and redirecting their attention during minor squabbles. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which is positively framed which creates a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to learn about their community as they visit local childminding groups, shops and parks. They have access to a small range of resources to help them learn about people whose lifestyles are different from their own. The childminder is building her range of resources in order to further develop children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms good trusting relationships with parents and they are comfortable in her home. She ensures that regular conversations keep parents informed about their children. New parents receive a comprehensive range of information including polices and procedures about the childminder's practice and she displays her certificates for parents to see. Contracts are completed and signed by parents. They provide most of the consents and information needed to enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs and safeguard their welfare.

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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 benefit from being cared for by a dedicated and organised childminder, who is committed to providing quality care. The childminder has completed all mandatory training and has recently attended a variety of workshops to enhance her skills and knowledge including managing behaviour and creative learning and play. Children are cared for in a home where space and resources are effectively arranged to meet children's needs. The childminder maintains appropriate ratios in order to offer good levels of individual support to children. The childminder is very attentive and provides good levels of supervision to keep children safe and secure within her home. Children experience a stimulating variety of play and learning opportunities and regularly spend time in the fresh air as well as in the childminder's home.

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Organisation

Daily attendance records are completed appropriately. Comprehensive paperwork is available to support the childminder's practice. This is well organised to promote the care and welfare of children. Required paperwork is shared appropriately with parents. The childminder has not developed documentation, in line with current guidance, to record parents concerns should they have any. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • obtain prior written consent to give emergency pain relief • improve risk assessment procedures; ensure children are safe in the garden with regard to the barrier around the patio • develop documentation to record parents' concerns that can be shared with all parents on request.

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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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