Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY260237 Unique Reference Number 24 July 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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and nine in Carshalton, Surrey. 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five full-time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder regularly attends toddler groups and visits local shops and parks with the children. The family have one guinea pig as a pet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment. Sick children are excluded to protect the welfare of others. Parents are called to collect their child if they become ill while in the childminder's care. She maintains children's good health by ensuring that they use their own flannel and towel, to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Children's hands are washed

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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 whenever their nappy is changed. However, the childminder does not always make sure that children have clean hands before eating a snack, which impacts on their wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide children's meals, and the childminder monitors what they eat, to ensure they have a nutritious diet. She offers them healthy snacks of fruit, and drinks are always accessible to children, to make sure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children exercise effectively by playing in the childminder's garden, with a selection of toys and equipment provided for them. The childminder takes children for walks to the local park, and to toddler groups, where they socialise with others while keeping fit. Children follow their own sleep patterns, and there is a travel cot available for them to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely in the kitchen and dining area of the childminder's home. They select the toys they wish to play with for themselves, from the broad range that are made available to them each day. The childminder regularly rotates these resources to maintain children's interest. The toys and equipment provided by the childminder are appropriate to the needs of 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 secure children's safety. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen, and smoke alarms and socket covers are fitted. The childminder has the appropriate insurance and permissions from parents to take children in a vehicle. When she is out walking with the children she ensures that they remain in the buggy, or wrist straps and reins are used. However, there are currently some hazards in the garden which affect children's welfare. These include slug pellets and a garden fork which are accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection, in order to safeguard children from harm. She understands that it is necessary to record her worries when concerns are raised about children in her care, and knows the appropriate procedure to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are treated in a considerate and gentle manner by the childminder. She sings to young children when they are tired, and gently rocks them to sleep in her arms. Children show that they enjoy this by smiling and gurgling at the childminder. There is a well organised selection of resources available to children. These include stimulating toys that make different sounds, and shape sorters to enable them to distinguish between different colours and shapes. The childminder uses construction materials with children, to develop their imaginative play, and provides them with art materials to encourage them to be creative. Young children learn by observing the older ones playing. For example, one child began to develop an understanding of how to throw a ball after watching the older children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are given individual attention by the childminder, and are all treated with equal concern. She has effective resources to promote children's understanding of diversity. The childminder talks to parents about children's requirements when a child is registered with her, and she is

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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 aware of their need for a dummy as a comforter. However, she does not keep a written record of children's specific requirements, to refer to at a later date, to ensure she is fully meeting their needs. Although there are currently no children attending with learning difficulties or disabilities, the childminder has an appropriate understanding of how to integrate these children into her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters a good relationship with parents, and keeps daily diaries for them. These provide them with all the necessary information about their child's day, such as details of nappy changes, and what they have been doing. Parents are fully aware of the childminder's complaints procedure, and know that any concerns will be recorded. The childminder uses a variety of strategies to manage children's behaviour. They are told when they have done wrong, and strayed from the boundaries she sets for them. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by praising the good things children have done, and by using star charts for the older ones.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, and plans activities and daily outings for children in advance. She follows regular routines, to provide some structure to the children's day. She keeps them with her at all times when visitors are present, to ensure their safety. Children's records and contracts are updated every six months, and these are stored securely, to maintain confidentiality. The childminder makes children's records available to a child's parents on request. Her certificate of registration is displayed to inform parents of the conditions under which she operates. The childminder has a welcome pack for new parents, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. She 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 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, and before administering medication to children. The childminder now obtains written permission from parents for seeking emergency advice or treatment for children, and requests written permission prior to administering any medication, in order safeguard their welfare.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • ensure appropriate handwashing routines are in place • ensure the garden is free from hazards • keep written records of children's specific needs.

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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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