Sowter, Carol Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY263315 Inspection date 26 July 2005 Inspector June Fielden

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2003. She lives with her partner and 4 children aged 11, 9, 7 and 3 in a residential area of Horley, 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 is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time and is currently minding 8 children part-time. The childminder walks and drives to local shops, parks and schools. She regularly attends meetings for local childminder's and their children. The family have a cat and 2 rabbits as pets.

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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 good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are taken on trips to the local park or the beach where they can exercise and gain control over their bodies. Children have opportunities to strengthen their muscles when they dig in the sand pit or push along wheeled toys in the garden. The childminder promotes good hygiene habits by making children aware when they need to blow their nose or wash their hands. As a result, children become increasingly independent in their personal care. They have the opportunity to rest quietly when necessary to secure their good health. Children help themselves to drinks, including water throughout the day. The childminder offers children a choice of sandwich filling at lunch time and produces a weekly menu for evening meals, which is made available to parents. She takes into account children's preferences and considers the nutritional value of meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Consequently, children eat a balanced diet, which includes fish, pasta and meat dishes for their evening meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the freedom of moving around independently in the childminder's spacious home. During the summer children use the garden as an extension of the playroom, with a range of suitable resources available for them to use outside. The toys provided in the playroom are appropriate to the age and stage of development of all children. The playroom is brightly furnished to meet children's needs and to allow them freedom of choice in selecting toys. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder. She has recently attended training to update her knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware how to seek advice if necessary and would follow local Area Child Protection Procedures if she had concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has measures in place to protect children from harm, for example, an emergency escape plan and the appropriate permissions for taking children on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

visits. However, children's safety is not always assured, as a trailing wire and missing socket covers could be hazardous to young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children choose freely from an interesting range of worthwhile activities. Younger

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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 benefit greatly from the assistance and support provided by older children. The childminder monitors children's play and responds quickly to their needs, questioning them about the activities they are engaged in. Consequently, children are happy in their play and show confidence in asking for help when required. Children are encouraged to develop their creative skills through organised activities, such as making bread, using musical instruments and sing along song tapes. The childminder develops children's maths and literacy skills through play. She ensures writing and drawing materials are always available and where appropriate, introduces counting and adding activities into children's play. The childminder received training on the Birth to three matters framework and intends

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using her understanding of this document to improve outcomes for younger children. As a result of her training she uses daily diary sheets for children under 3, to keep parents informed of children's short term progress, and development records to track their achievements over a period of time. The childminder uses the information she gathers to cater for children's developmental needs. For example, she found out that one shy 2 year old loved trains and used this information to boost his confidence. The childminder provided the toys he could relate to, enabling him to engage in conversation with older children about a subject he understood.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a warm relationship with the childminder, she treats them as individuals and provides them with support appropriate to their needs. Consequently, children show confidence when asking questions and speaking to the childminder. She regularly updates children's record forms and takes into account parents beliefs and disciplines in order to provide continuity of care. The childminder provides a range of resources to promote children's understanding of culture, gender, disability and religion. She will shortly be attending training on disability discrimination in order to update her knowledge on special needs. Parents are pleased with the individual care provided for children and the information they receive about their progress. The childminder exchanges information with all parents on a daily basis, when children are collected. She provides opportunities for parents to discuss any issues they have in confidence and uses the information

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a positive approach to training. Since her last inspection she has undertaken a number of courses to improve her practice and enhance the quality of care she provides for children. The childminder has booked to attend further training to ensure she keeps her knowledge up to date.

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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 Children's wellbeing is safeguarded, as the childminder has the appropriate policies and documents in place. She has a folder available for new parents, providing the necessary information about her practice, including her policies and statements informing them how she operates. She stores her records securely and shares information with parents. Overall the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the childminder ensure children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender, disability and religion and that she maintain an attendance record that reflects actual arrival and departure times of children. The childminder has purchased a number of new resources, including books and puzzles to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. She has taken measures to safeguard children's wellbeing by using a register which has a section for recording children's arrival and departure times.

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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 the rooms used by children are free from electrical hazards.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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