Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507239 Unique Reference Number 03 September 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 teenage children in Dorking, Surrey. The whole ground floor 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 and is currently minding two children under five full-time and two part-time. The childminder walks to the local pre-school to take and collect children. She also takes children to local shops and parks. The family have three cats, a dog and a cockatiel as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. The childminder has appropriate hygiene routines for children, which include ensuring that they wash their hands before they eat, and after using the toilet or touching the pets. However, pet bowls are currently accessible to children, which impacts on their health. Sick children are excluded to protect the wellbeing of

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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 others, and all accidents are recorded by the childminder. She has obtained written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, but has not maintained a current first aid qualification, which is a breach of National Standards. As a result, the childminder cannot ensure that she is able to take appropriate action in the event of a child having an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their own meals for children, which are stored appropriately by the childminder, to ensure they remain fresh. She provides healthy snacks of fruit for children, and drinks are always available, to make sure they are not thirsty. The childminder is aware of children's allergies and records this information when childminding commences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children follow their own rest patterns, and sleep in a travel cot when necessary. They exercise by playing in the childminder's garden, using a selection of toys which she has provided. The childminder takes children for walks, trips to the local parks, and meets up with other childminders, to make sure they keep fit and socialise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around freely in the childminder's living room. Toys are easily accessible to them, allowing children to choose for themselves what they wish to play with. The resources available are suitable for the whole age range and conform to safety standards. Toys are washed regularly and checked to see if any are broken, as these are then removed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised an emergency escape plan and appropriate safety measures are in place. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms are positioned on each floor. Risk assessments are carried out on an on-going basis, and a gate is fitted at the bottom of the stairs, to prevent children having unsupervised access to the first floor. However, there are currently some hazards in the childminder's home, which impact on children's safety. There is a low level wine rack in the kitchen, and some wires which children can reach in the living room and on the landing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, as the childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs of abuse to look for, and the procedure to follow if there are concerns about children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with effective play opportunities to develop their skills and abilities. They have access to a broad range of toys, including ones which make sounds and have moving parts, to attract their interest. The childminder knows the children well and talks to them about things they are familiar with, and what they do at home. As a result, she is able to laugh and joke with them. For example, she asked them to tickle their tummies when they lifted up their shirts. As a result, children are relaxed and content in the childminder's presence. They show her their toys and get her to join in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder develops children's counting skills during everyday activities, counting the number of times they bounce up and down while holding her hands. She assists them in learning the names of the different colours by discussing with them the shade of the bricks they are playing with. The childminder encourages children to experiment, getting them to compare the noise made when they bang their bricks on the laminate floor to the sound created when

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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 they are banged on the carpet. She shares books with children and asks them to think about the events in the stories. One child showed that they understood what was happening in a book about a birthday party, by pretending to blow out the candles on the cake.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder, and given their fair share of individual attention. She effectively liaises with parents to meet children’s specific needs. The childminder is aware of which children require a dummy or other comforters when they sleep. She has extensive resources to support children's understanding of diversity, and has considerable experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder has attended various talks on this subject, to keep her knowledge up to date. She integrates children with learning difficulties and disabilities into her practice by encouraging them to participate in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have the opportunity to talk to the childminder about their child’s progress at the beginning and end of the day, when she is happy to exchange information with them. The childminder will complete daily diaries for parents if requested, and encourages them to telephone her at any time to check on their child. Parents have been made fully aware of the childminder's complaints procedure, and how to contact Ofsted. The childminder uses a variety of successful strategies to manage children's behaviour. She handles any incidents that occur immediately, and explains to children why their behaviour is inappropriate. The childminder speaks to parents about challenging behaviour, and works with them to resolve this problem, in order to maintain continuity of care. Positive behaviour is promoted by praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children are safe when visitors are present, as she remains with them at all times. Her register is appropriately completed, showing children's times of arrival and departure. The childminder stores children's records securely to maintain confidentiality, and shares them with a child's parents on request. She updates children's records whenever any changes occur. The childminder has a settling in procedure for new children, and parents are welcome to visit at any time, and stay as long as they wish. She varies the activities offered to children, to make sure they do not get bored, and allows them to be involved in choosing what they should do. 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 ensure that all records relating to childminding are regularly reviewed and available for inspection at all times. It was also recommended that she plans a range of activities and play opportunities for children's overall development and makes sure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has a folder which contains all documentation relating to her childminding practice. She keeps this up to date, and ensures that it is available for inspection. She plans effective play opportunities to promote children's development in all areas, and has purchased more toys and equipment to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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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): • obtain an appropriate first aid certificate • ensure that animal food bowls are inaccessible to children • ensure the house is free from hazards.

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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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