Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339791 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 2006. She lives with her husband and one child of two years, in a first floor flat in a residential area of Woking, Surrey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is in walking distance of local amenities. All areas of the flat are used for minding with the exception of the master bedroom. There are enclosed communal gardens available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for two children and is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children who attend the setting are protected from the spread of illness and infection as a result of the childminder's effective procedures. The childminder has regular cleaning routines

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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 in place to ensure children's toys, bed linen and nappy changing facilities are cleaned and sterilised accordingly. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after using the potty or having their nappy changed. The childminder ensures each child has a potty allocated to them, and ensures these are disinfected regularly to ensure children's health and well-being is protected. Documentation is in place giving emergency contact details of parents and close relatives. However, there is currently no signed written consent from parents to confirm their permission for the childminder to access emergency help and advice if necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of physical activities that include the use of the communal gardens and regular visits to the local park. Children enjoy being pushed on the swings and going up and down the slide. In nice weather, children enjoy playing in the paddling pool with their friends, or playing in the water tray and on bikes and trikes in cooler weather. This contributes to their good health. The childminder deals with accidents and the administration of medication effectively. The childminder gives detailed explanations of any bumps and grazes which have occurred whilst the children are in her care, and shares these records with parents. The childminder is happy to give medication, and requests written consent from parents, however, parents do not currently sign to acknowledge that medication has been given by the childminder. This compromises their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe at the setting through the childminder's security and safety procedures. A clear fire evacuation procedure is in place which is clearly displayed for both parents and visitors to see. The childminder has a clear understanding of how she would best support children in an emergency, and is well organised to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder has a prepared emergency bag in place which includes nappies and water. This is always on hand for the childminder to grab if she and the children need to leave the setting quickly in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a setting which is both safe and secure. The childminder ensures children are protected from harm as she encourages them not to play in the kitchen, and keeps the master bedroom locked to ensure children's safety at all times. Children learn to be safe on outings as the childminder constantly supervises them in their play. Children are protected through the childminder's sound understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder is knowledgeable about who she could contact for advice and support, and shows an awareness of particular signs she should take account of.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute well to their development both inside and outside the home. Children enjoy using water pens to make pictures turn into colour, and begin to develop their creative abilities as they stick pictures to make a collage, and decorate paper plates with pieces of paper of different colours and shapes. Children are able to self-select their own resources as toys are kept at child-level. Children have child-sized tables and chairs where they can play with puzzles and look at books. The childminder shows a clear awareness of each child's individual needs and levels of development, and supports children in their learning and abilities by increasing resources which support their needs.

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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 gain high levels of self-esteem as the childminder displays children's work on a notice board to share with parents and visitors. The childminder consistently talks and chats to children as they play together, encouraging them to play with different toys, and to fit plastic shapes into the cube. Although the childminder demonstrates an awareness of how to help individual children develop through play, she does not currently have access to the Birth to three matters framework to further support her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and children's individual needs are met by sharing information about children's routines and requirements. Children benefit from settling in visits with the childminder before starting the setting permanently. This ensures they feel secure and comfortable with the childminder and their surroundings quickly. Parents are given the opportunity to discuss the childminder's policies regarding the service she provides, however, the complaints policy is not written down so some aspects are unclear. The childminder makes time to talk with parents about children's routines and ensures she receives copies of these in order for them to be included as much as possible within her day. Parents also receive regular feedback about their child's care when they come to collect or via text message during the day as and when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity as they play with resources and look at books which contain stories from different cultures, written in different languages. Children listen to music from around the world, and have access to toys which have been brought back from different countries such as Russian Dolls and Chinese soft toys. The childminder is aware that some children can develop learning difficulties and/or disabilities and knows to support these by sharing information with parents, and providing suitable activities to support them in their play and development. Behaviour is generally good, as children who attend the setting are stimulated in their play through the resources available. The childminder ensures children are well supervised and that she acts as an appropriate role-model to encourage good behaviour and sharing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. As a result of the childminder organising her space and time effectively, children enjoy their time in her care. The childminder shows an awareness of how best to support children, and plans to improve her service further through accessing relevant courses and workshops. The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification and also has a food hygiene certificate which are displayed clearly for parents to see along with her registration certificate. The childminder ensures she has a support network in place, as she meets up with other childminders for group outings and activities. This ensures that the childminder is able to share ideas and experiences, as well as giving children the opportunity to gain confidence when meeting new adults and making new friends.

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Organisation

The childminder has procedures that work in practise to promote children's welfare, and these are discussed with parents when they first visit the setting. Children's contracts are always completed and relevant details about children's needs are sought. All documentation is kept secure and locked away at all times. This ensures confidentiality is consistently maintained. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 signed emergency medical consent forms are in place for each child • ensure records are kept and parents sign to acknowledge when medication has been given • develop a written complaints policy which can be shared with parents which gives an accurate guide for them to follow if they wish to make a complaint • access information about the Birth to three matters framework, to help provide children with activities which best support them in their care, learning and play.

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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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