Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

160468 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2007 Inspection date Anne Jacqueline Nicholson Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and pre-school child in a residential area close to Englefield Green, Virginia Water and Egham in Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to a nearby nursery and walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local parks. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a full-time and part-time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and hygiene is well promoted as the childminder sustains a good level of cleanliness throughout her home. Children develop an awareness of the daily routine for good hygiene practices, for example, going to wash their hands prior to meals, after messy play and using the toilet. After washing their hands they enjoy drying them using a hand dryer, this helps prevent the spread of infection. There is guidance in place for the parents providing

p.2

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 information on the exclusion period expected when children are unwell and this protects all those attending from catching an unnecessary illness. When hurt children are safeguarded through the childminder's sound understanding of emergency first aid. The childminder has recently renewed her first aid certificate early to ensure that her knowledge and qualification remains current.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily activities that help them develop physically and ensures that get regular fresh air. They enjoy attending local parent and toddler sessions, activity gyms and outings around the local community to undertake nature walks and feeding ducks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are well met. Parents record their children's individual dietary requirements on initial contact forms and by the childminder providing a variety of freshly made meals using, where possible, organic food. Children enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks including shepherds pie, lasagne, cut up fruit and raisins. They sit and eat comfortably in the kitchen at the table and enjoy a sociable time with the childminder. She uses this opportunity to further develop children's communication skills through conversation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment. There are colourful pictures and posters up on the walls along with examples of their work and photos of activities undertaken whilst with the childminder. The available space is organised effectively to allow a variety of play activities to happen. Children enjoy opportunities to move around freely, confidently playing with the available resources. They are able to access a good range of good quality play equipment each day that the childminder regularly rotates. Children are able to independently select from the resources available.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure in the home as potential risks are identified and safety devices are in place. There are appropriate fire safety measures to protect children, including smoke detectors, a fire blanket and undertaking fire drill practises. Children begin to gain an awareness of how to remain safe whilst out through receiving instructions from the childminder on how to remain safe. Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s satisfactory understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns. She has information available to tell parents of her responsibility to pass on any concerns she may have about children's welfare. However her knowledge of the Local safeguarding children's board procedures are an area for her to address and improve.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive a variety of planned and impromptu activities throughout the week. The interaction between the childminder and the children is very relaxed and affectionate. They receive lots of positive attention, physical affection and reassurance during activities. Children have fun and play enthusiastically with the available resources. They enjoy imaginative play behind a shop counter making biscuits, using the tills and selling play food. Photos show they like to re-create stories and create a paper beanstalk and water it for Jack in the Beanstalk. They also enjoy a range of outings for instance going on nature walks, visiting the Butterfly House, exploring the Look Out discovery centre in Bracknell and going to ride on Thomas the

p.3

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 tank engine on the Watercress line. After this visit the childminder assisted them in making a train and carriages out of several boxes to play in.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy the activities provided, as they are appropriate for their ages and are fun to do. Each week a range of activities and play opportunities are planned both to do in the house and away from the house. This is flexibly implemented to meet the needs of the children and weather on the day. The range of creative activities they participate in is good and includes play dough, sticking, painting and junk modelling. Children gain independence and self-confidence as the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore the toys.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive affectionate care and reassurance enabling them to develop a sense of belonging and build their trust with the childminder. Their individual needs are recorded and she uses this knowledge to ensure that each child receives appropriate care and any additional needs can be met. Children display good manners and appropriate behaviour. The childminder uses age-appropriate and positive strategies to promote this including distraction techniques and the use of an area for time out. They are developing a positive self-image through the praise and encouragement they receive during their daily activities and through having their art work on display. They participate in a range of activities that promote their awareness of other countries and cultures. These include observing a map of the world on the wall and discussing places on this, celebrating different festivals and doing activities around Chinese New Year.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive information about the service provided. This is both provided verbally and in the form of written contracts, contact detail forms and a few written policies. This mix of information may give rise to parents receiving different information about the childminder's service and this is an area she is reviewing. At the end of each day the childminder tells parents what their children have eaten and the activities they participated in. She talks to them as well as providing a daily diary for those children who are under five years. Parents state they are very happy with the care their children receive. Parents see information about who to contact if they have a concern or complaint. This currently does not fully reflect the October 2005 Addendum to the National Standards legislation.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder flexibly follows her weekly planning to ensure that a variety of resources and play opportunities are available to meet the needs of the attending children. She ensures that her home is made clean and safe prior to their arrival and organises the space to allow children freedom to play. Children are happy, confident and feel at home through receiving caring and individual attention. Children's routines and achievements are shared with the parents to encourage continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder keeps the required records and documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Details about her business and practice are shared with parents verbally and in some cases in writing. This is an area that the childminder is looking to develop further to ensure all receive consistent information promoting the service she provides. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides for.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensure the complaints procedure is shared with parents and she addressed this by displaying written details of where to raise a concern.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • update knowledge of child protection to ensure an awareness of the Local safeguarding children's board procedures and ensure that this information is available to parents; including highlighting the childminder's responsibility in regard to passing on information if concerned for the welfare of a children in her care. • review and update the complaints information available for parents ensuring that it reflects the latest legislation.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5