Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY278416 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2007 Inspection date Janet Marie Thouless 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 2004. She lives with her husband, three teenage children and a five year old in Merstham, Surrey. Local shops, school, library and parks are within walking distance of the home. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, although the main play area is the conservatory and lounge. There is an enclosed back garden for out door play. The childminder has two kittens.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are taken to local parks and places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle and are taken care of if they have an accident or become ill, because the childminder follows appropriate guidelines and procedures, and ensures high standards of hygiene throughout the provision. Children learn the importance of good hygiene practice; for example, hand washing after toilet routines, after touching the animals, before and after handling food. They independently go to the toilet and wash their hands using liquid soap and individual towels to prevent cross infection. The childminder demonstrated good knowledge on how to administer first aid in an emergency. However, the first aid certificate expired recently. Permission has been sought from parents with regards to the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy snacks include a range of fresh fruit and drinks. However, children bring a packed lunch from home and these are stored in individual named boxes in the refrigerator. Children help themselves to regular drinks of water from individual lidded cups to ensure they remain hydrated through-out the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and regular physical activity when playing in the garden, on walks and outings. Children have opportunities to use a good range of play equipment in the garden, at local drop in groups and in various playgrounds, developing their co-ordination and gross motor skills effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children flourish and are well cared for in the welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment, because the childminder takes positive steps to ensure children's safety. The childminder knows about potential hazards and has a number of safety measures in her house to protect children from harm. These include safety gates, smoke detectors, fire blanket and sockets covers to ensure children's safety. The childminder has a clear emergency evacuation plan. This means the childminder knows the routes she would use to evacuate her house in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a broad range of good quality toys and play equipment, which are rotated to provide variety. The effective organisation of toys and play equipment on offer allows children to independently self-select to fully promote their independence in making choices for their own learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and keeps her knowledge up to date because she attends courses. Effective procedures advise parents of their responsibility and the childminder knows how to record and refer any concerns. Up-to-date contact details regarding a referral are recorded in her procedures. This ensures the childminder acts in the best interest to safeguard the welfare of the children.

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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 in the child centred, relaxed family atmosphere where the childminder carefully prepares the home in readiness for the minded children. Children are happy and make themselves at home, demonstrating a real sense of belonging. They are confident and relate well with adults and peers because of the good relationships and interaction they have with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as, cutting out winter and summer clothing to place and glue into paper suitcases. They confidently discuss their thoughts and ideas with the childminder which enhances their communication skills. They use their imaginations when playing with small world figures and the play house. The children are sociable, happy, have fun and enjoy quality time with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder recognises the importance of play in children’s development. She is confident in her knowledge gained through her experience of working in childcare and regular attendance at training events. She is fully aware of the differing needs of various age groups and refers to guidance such as Birth to three matters to help her plan a range of worthwhile activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit greatly from the good partnership the childminder has with their parents. The children's needs are effectively met because the childminder values each child, makes them feel important and treats them as individuals. The children's individual needs are identified and supported extremely well, because the childminder gets to know the children and their families well. The parents are kept fully informed about their children's care and progress through daily discussions and the use of a diary for the younger children. Parents receive comprehensive information regarding polices and procedures, which introduces them to the service on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages behaviour calmly and appropriately to the children's level of understanding, which enables them to know exactly what is expected of them. She shows younger children how to safely pick up the kittens so they do not become distressed. She sets clear boundaries and strategies, which are agreed with the parents and help the children to distinguish between right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest, such as, local drop in groups, parks and organised trips. The childminder provides a range of resources to promote the children's learning about the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder has a positive approach and experience of caring for children with a range of different needs and abilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised daily routine which is planned around their individual needs. They are relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home which gives them the confidence to initiate their own play in a stimulating learning environment. Children's health, safety and wellbeing is promoted successfully through the detailed policies and procedures the childminder

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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 has in place. These are shared with the parents so they have a clear understanding of the service on offer.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and maintains an efficient record keeping system which is confidentially stored. She clearly displays her certificate of registration and accurately records children's daily attendance to reflect when she is childminding. The regulatory documentation which is in place is maintained appropriately ensuring the childminder's good practice promotes children's welfare. However, the complaints procedure needs to be updated in line with current legislation.

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably trained and experienced to care for children having completed relevant courses, such, as the Introduction to Childminding practice. She continues to develop her skills and knowledge through attendance of further training courses which enhances the service she provides to children and their families. The childminder closely supervises and supports the children to ensure they are safe from any persons who have not been vetted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, three recommendations were made to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures, ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and make sure children are safe outdoors.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a child protection course to update her knowledge and understanding of these issues, obtained a number of resources that depict diversity and has fully integrated these in to everyday play. A risk assessment has been made of the rear garden to ensure it is safe for children to use.

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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):

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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 • ensure a first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children. • update the complaints procedure in line with current legislation.

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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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