Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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160433 Unique Reference Number 13 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 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 2001. She lives with her husband and child aged 10 years old, in Mayford on the outskirts of Woking. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for nine children and is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools, shops and parks. The family has a cat, two guinea pigs and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about good health through ready access to drinks and nutritious meals which take account of known allergies. Children enjoy lunches of sandwiches, yoghurts and fruit and

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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 drink juices which are brought in from home. If children attend the setting in the afternoon, they enjoy home-cooked hot meals such as shepherds pie and toad in the hole. Children learn about personal hygiene as they wash their hands before meals independently before developing social skills as they sit together around a child-sized table to eat. Children benefit from a good rage of physical activities which include use of a large garden and regular visits to the local park. Children enjoy being outside in the fresh air as they play together in the play-house and have opportunities to play on the climbing frame and slide with supervision. Babies and young children are also encouraged to get fresh air and exercise as they scoot around in a baby walker, watching the older children play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder manages accidents effectively. Children are given lots of tender loving care if they are hurt or get sand in their eyes. The childminder helps children to hold a cold compress on their eye to cool it. Full details are then added to the accident book, which parents sign to acknowledge. The childminder follows effective procedures to protect children from illness and infection, particularly during nappy changing. The childminder changes children on changing mats which are disinfected after each child is changed. The childminder also uses gloves at all times to protect children's health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children at the setting have fun whilst being kept safe through the childminder's good procedures. A secure policy is in place in respect of fire safety which the childminder talks to the children about to ensure they understand ways in which they can keep themselves safe in an emergency. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are also in place to ensure children's safety at the setting. Children are cared for in a premises which is welcoming and secure both indoors and out. During outside play children are protected from injury as they are supervised and gently reminded to be careful as they climb the steps in the play-house, and to take care whilst digging in the sand. Children are also reminded to think about the younger children who attend the setting as the childminder explains that they are more wobbly on their feet. This encourages children to take care of themselves as well as each other as they play together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the childminder's secure understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder understands the importance of speaking to parents; however, she is also confident to seek further help if she has serious concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder has an existing injuries log in place, however this is not currently used consistently to ensure that children's safety and well-being is protected at all times.

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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 inside and outside the home. Children enjoy making choices about the activities they would like to experience, and self-select toys and resources accordingly. There is a vast range of toys available to children which cater for all different ages and abilities. Children enjoy doing puzzles and painting in the garden in nice weather. The childminder has two guinea pigs as pets which children enjoy looking after as they hold them on their laps to feed them some fresh cucumber. After they have finished, children are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly before continuing with their play elsewhere.

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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 have a sense of belonging and are relaxed and at home in the comfortable environment. They confidently initiate and extend their own play and learning as they pretend they are at the seaside whilst they dig in the sand in the garden. Children play together well as they try to make sandcastles using different objects. They use digger trucks to move the sand around, explaining to the childminder they are taking the sand to the beach. Children are very independent at the setting, and although they enjoy input from the childminder, they are also happy to play together in their own child-led activities. When it is time to tidy away, children help to sweep up the sand with brooms, dustpans and a brush. The childminder ensures children feel valued as she thanks them for all their help, and tells them how well they are doing as they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents through regular feedback and the sharing of information. As a result, children's individual needs are met. The childminder finds out about children's needs when they first start at the setting through asking for important information, such as if there are any dietary requirements, along with children's likes and dislikes. This, along with settling in visits, ensures each child settles well and feels secure and comfortable in the childminder's care. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's day as the childminder shares their activities and what the child has eaten, when they are picked up. A close relationship is evident with parents at the setting, who are very happy with the care provided for their child. Some policies are in place which are shared with parents, however the complaints policy would benefit from being updated to include details of how parents can view

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children at the setting develop an awareness of social diversity as they play with resources such as ethnic toys, puppets and books which include characters from different backgrounds as well as those which wear hearing aids and glasses. Children also gain a good insight into difference as they meet people from the wider community who have different needs from them. The childminder is aware that some children develop learning difficulties and disabilities, and she knows to support these by sharing information with parents, and providing suitable activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. As a result of the childminder organising space and her time effectively, children's individual needs are met. The setting is very well-organised, and although the childminder picks children up from schools and pre-schools throughout the day, children are still able to experience a range of fun and stimulating activities. Children benefit from the childminder arranging to meet up with other childminders and parents who bring children over to play. This allows children to socialise with other children and subsequently make new friends.

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Organisation

The childminder has good procedures in place which work in practice to promote children's welfare. These policies are also shared with parents, in order to ensure they are fully involved in their child's care, and have a clear understanding of the service which the childminder provides. The childminder ensures she keeps herself updated with any changes and amendments to the National Standards, and holds all the required documentation. The childminder ensures that all paperwork and children's files are effectively organised and kept secure in order to

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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 maintain confidentiality at all times. As a result, 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 Care inspection, the provider was recommended to expand the complaints procedure further to include contact details for the regulator and to consider ways in which policies and procedures can be more easily accessible to parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now addressed these issues. A complaints procedure is in place which contains the address and contact telephone number for Ofsted. However, these contact details are not current and need updating. Policies and procedures are now displayed in a folder which is readily available for parents to access in order for them to keep themselves fully informed of the service the childminder provides.

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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 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 details contained within the complaints policy are updated, and that information is provided to parents ensuring they understand how they can access the complaints log on request • ensure that the details of children who may attend the setting with an existing injury are always recorded and that parents sign to acknowledge the entry each time.

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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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