Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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403881 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Jane Lester 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 2000. She lives with her partner and two children aged ten and 12 in Wallington, Surrey. The whole 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five for a variety of hours. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and parks. The family has a dog and a guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a well balanced and nutritious diet. Highly nutritious meals are prepared by the childminder using fresh ingredients. Children are encouraged to eat healthily as the

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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 childminder offers fruit and vegetables and organic fruit bars as snacks. She works closely with parents to ensure she meets children's individual dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective steps are taken to minimise risks of cross-contamination. For example, nappies are changed and disposed of hygienically and children regularly wash their hands with liquid soap. Fresh towels to dry their hands are provided daily and changed during the day. However, children do not have access to individual towels to further protect them from cross-contamination. Parents are made aware that children with contagious conditions must not be brought to the setting. This minimises risks of infection to other minded children. The childminder has all the appropriate documentation for recording accidents and medication appropriately. She has completed a first aid course for infants and young children, and ensures first aid equipment can be easily accessed both indoors and out.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a positive attitude to physical activity and children have daily opportunities for fresh air. They walk to local schools and parks or play in the garden. Here they have fun on a wide range of equipment designed to further their physical development . For example, they giggle as they jump on the trampoline and follow each other up the climbing frame. Consequently, children extend and develop their physical skills and benefit from the positive effects of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a home that is extremely safe and where any risks identified are immediately eliminated or minimised. The childminder carries out ongoing comprehensive risk assessments of the areas accessed by the children. This enables them to move around safely and independently. Written emergency evacuation instructions are displayed in the kitchen so that all present are familiar with the procedure. This is practised with the children on a monthly basis to ensure it remains effective. Fire safety is promoted further when the childminder takes the children on visits to the local fire station.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All equipment and resources used by children are of extremely good quality and are disinfected and checked for damage weekly. Toys are very attractively presented to provide a stimulating and exciting environment for the children. A vast quantity of resources are rotated regularly, so children remain interested, and these are organised to ensure children can access them freely. Children learn to respect the resources by helping to tidy up and are learning to understand the importance of this to avoid accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear about the legislation regarding child safety seats and uses appropriate booster seats when children travel in her vehicle. When walking, younger children are safely secured in pushchairs or by harnesses. All children learn about keeping themselves safe outside as the childminder makes them aware of road safety by talking to them as she takes them on walks. She talks to older children about the dangers of running off and ensures they play together so she can supervise them at all times. As an extra precaution, children wear a wrist strap which has her contact telephone number on it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a very secure knowledge of child protection issues and also a clear understanding of the procedures that would be implemented. She is very vigilant over the collection of children and a password system ensures children are not able to leave unless accompanied by an authorised person.

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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 outstanding. Relationships between the childminder and the children are excellent. Children develop a very close and caring relationship with the childminder. This increases their sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. As a result, they are extremely settled and happy in her care. The childminder is alert and responsive to their developing speech which makes children feel confident and affirmed and encourages them to become confident communicators. She provides opportunities for all children to achieve as much as they can and thereby raise their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully uses everyday situations to encourage children to think and make connections. For example, a picture of a deer on a card activity sparks a lively discussion about a journey made to Richmond Park. Another photograph leads to a conversation about people who offer help. Children use role play equipment to recreate familiar scenes and extend their language. Young children enjoy threading activities and dot-to-dot books which develop their fine motor skills as well as introducing them to numbers and letters. The childminder fully supports and extends their play to consolidate newly acquired skills and knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide high levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Young babies love watching themselves in a mirror as they jump in the baby bouncer. Toys are presented attractively and children are keen to discover what is available each day. Free play is supplemented with planned activities such as crafts. Children enjoy using their senses to explore and they gain increasing control of their bodies as they investigate different media. For example, they make colourful bubble pictures by blowing through a straw and are fascinated by the patterns made in the paint. Children thoroughly enjoy the activities, they learn and achieve well and have lots of fun. Regular outings to farms, parks and tumble time sessions offer further opportunities for children to learn about the world

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

around them. They develop their social confidence and learn how to play harmoniously in larger groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is committed to building strong relationships with parents. She sees their partnership as a triangle with the child at the top being supported by each party. An effective settling-in period, good quality written information from both parties plus daily verbal communications ensure excellent continuity of care for the child. Feedback from parents is very positive. They talk about the loving and caring approach of the childminder, of the excellent choice of nutritious food and exciting activities offered. They feel the childminder has played a huge part in their children's growing confidence and acquisition of speech.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and their individual cultures celebrated. Children learn about their community during trips to local facilities such as libraries and shops. They discover about the wider world through activities such as using chopsticks during Chinese New Year and through celebrating different festivals. Toys and resources are provided which positively reflect cultural diversity, although those that reflect disabilities are limited. The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities by working with parents and other agencies to meet children's individual needs.

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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 Positive and consistent strategies, which take into account individual children’s understanding and maturity, are in place to promote good behaviour. Children are beginning to learn to share and play harmoniously together. The childminder is a good role model and treats the children with courtesy and respect. Children are warmly praised and their accomplishments acknowledged and shared. As a result their self-esteem is fostered and they are keen to behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the National Standards for Childminding and ensures all regulatory documentation is maintained. Documentation is stored appropriately, maintaining confidentiality and respecting children’s privacy. This contributes to the efficient and safe management of the provision which promotes the safety, care and well-being of the children.

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Organisation

Space, time and resources are used effectively and flexibly to ensure children's needs are fully met. The structure of each day is planned around individual children's needs. The childminder ensures the children are never left unsupervised. Her passion for childminding and her commitment to providing good quality care and learning experiences for the children means that children are secure and confident. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and practice an emergency escape plan and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Both of these recommendations have been fully met.

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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 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): • review hand drying practice to minimise risks of cross-contamination

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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 • increase resources which reflect all aspects of diversity.

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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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