Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265282 Unique Reference Number 30 October 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and 14 in Coulsdon, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 after school. The childminder walks to local schools, parks and shops. The family have two pet cats.

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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 excludes sick children to protect others from infection. She has appropriate hygiene routines to maintain children's health. Children are reminded to wash their hands before they eat, and after using the toilet. The childminder has a current first aid certificate to enable her to handle minor injuries. However, she does not always obtain prior written permission from parents before medicine is

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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 administrated to children, which is a breach of regulations, and impacts on their wellbeing. Also, the childminder has not obtained written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, resulting in a delay in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered nutritional dishes made from fresh ingredients for their evening meal, as the childminder has an appropriate understanding of healthy eating. Drinks are always available to children to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder discusses children's allergies with parents when childminding commences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficient exercise, as they always walk home from school with the childminder. They play in her garden on the range of equipment provided for them, including swings and slides. If children are tired they can rest on the settee or relax quietly as they watch the television.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use the whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home, and move around freely, choosing for themselves the toys they wish to play with. The resources available are suitable for the needs of all minded children. The toys are stored in a manner which makes the majority of them accessible to children, and they know that they can ask the childminder for additional resources that are kept upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound measures in place to ensure children's welfare. The smoke alarms are interconnected, and there is a fire blanket fitted in the kitchen. She has devised an emergency escape plan and has current liability insurance. However, there are some hazards, such as wires that are accessible to children in the house, and ivy in the garden, which impacts on their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, as the childminder has recently attended training in child protection. She has the necessary information available to enable her to seek advice, and knows how to report any concerns to the appropriate authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children all co-operate and play well together in the childminder's home, regardless of the differences in their age. The children under eight years of age learn by watching the older ones play, and enjoy being included in their games. Meal times are a sociable occasion for children, as they all sit down together to eat. The childminder engages them in conversation, asking questions that allow all to participate. She takes an interest in what children say, talking to them about the places they have visited on holiday. As a result, all children are relaxed and comfortable in her presence. They willingly help with the tidying up when they are asked, as this enables them to feel useful and raises their self-esteem. They assist the childminder with cooking for special occasions, such as Easter, and complete craft activities with her, using their creative abilities. Children effectively develop their imagination as they use the broad range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

role play equipment provided by the childminder.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder, who takes into account their need to be seen as individuals. She discusses children's specific requirements with parents when childminding commences, and is aware of their likes and fears. Children celebrate a variety of different festivals with the childminder. She has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, although she does not currently have any on roll. She has a good understanding of how to assess their needs in order to determine whether her setting is appropriate for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are greeted in a warm and friendly manner by the childminder when they collect their child. She talks to them about their child's progress, and they know that they can contact her at any time if there is something they wish to discuss. Parents have been fully informed of the childminder's complaints procedure, to make them aware of how any concerns raised will be handled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder quickly intervenes when disagreements occur between children, to prevent them developing into arguments. She uses effective strategies to manage inappropriate behaviour, and works with parents to ensure continuity of care. As a result, children listen well to the instructions given to them by the childminder, and follow her requests. Positive behaviour is promoted by praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder remains with children at all times when visitors are present, to ensure their safety, and asks to see some identification. Her register of attendance is appropriately completed, and children's records are regularly updated. The childminder shows new parents her policies and insurance details, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. She has her certificate of registration on display to inform parents of the conditions under which she operates. The childminder stores her records securely to maintain confidentiality, and makes them available to a child's parents on request. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the childminder extend the range of resources that promote children's learning about equality and anti-discriminatory practice. Children now have access to a broad range of resources to raise their awareness of diversity.

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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 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): • ensure written permission is obtained before all medication is administered to children • obtain written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children • ensure the house and garden are 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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