Sakutu Organisation Montessori

Inspection report for early years provision

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132068 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Joanna Scott 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 1993. She lives with her husband and adult child in East Molesey in Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, and is currently minding seven children under eight, and one child over eight, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The registration includes overnight care for one child. The childminder drives to local schools to collect children. She attends toddler groups, and takes children to local parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children play in a clean and healthy environment. The childminder organises her home well, to ensure that the areas the children use are suitable. The children's good health is protected because the childminder implements good practice to restrict the risk of cross infection, for example providing children with their own cups to drink from. The children are learning why

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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 good personal hygiene is so important through routine and discussion. The childminder talks to them about hand washing at key times, and provides children with their own handtowels to use in the toilet and the kitchen. There is a clear sickness policy in place which is shared with parents. These measures minimise the spread of illness. Children brush their teeth after lunch, and this promotes their dental health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Systems are in place for the administration of medication, and the childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate in place, which means she has the skills to care for children who become unwell or who are injured.

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Helping children to be healthy

Currently the childminder and parents provide the children's food. The childminder ensures she stores and serves food suitably and safely. The childminder provides snacks for the children, and takes their good health into account. For example she provides a mix of fresh apple, banana and strawberries for the children to eat mid morning. The children watch her prepare the fruit with interest. The childminder encourages them to widen their experiences, she gives them a little of each fruit and gently encourages them to try things even if they don't think they like them. There are colourful posters displayed which promote healthy eating. The childminder talks to parents about the meals they provide.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a home where the childminder takes steps to minimise risks. For example she has gates in use to block access to the cooking area and stairs, and is careful to replace socket covers when unplugging the tape recorder. She supervises the children well, and is focused on their care. Children play with resources that are of good quality and well maintained. The childminder has a clear safeguarding procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have excellent opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example they have frequent opportunities to practise evacuation, and an emergency drill. Children are skilled at bringing the childminder the first aid kit and the telephone as they learn about what to do in an emergency situation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and confident in this stimulating and welcoming environment. The childminder plans her day to ensure that the children experience a range of activities in and out of the home. She provides activities which promote children's development and learning, for example providing a range of puzzles which she knows offer the children increasing challenge, threading to promote their hand to eye co-ordination, and opportunities to learn about colour and shape as they talk about a poster displayed on the wall. The childminder praises the children and gives them stickers as a reward. This encourages children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At other times the children have opportunities to lead their own play, for example they choose to dress up as fairies and dance to music. The childminder ensures that a very good selection of resources are stored to be accessible to the children. The children are developing a love of books. The childminder sits with them on the sofa and shares stories from a good selection.

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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 The childminder and the children enjoy warm relationships. They enjoy each other's company, and interact well. The children are very much at home here. They are settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder liaises closely with parents. She shares her policies and procedures with parents, and provides daily diaries which outline what the children have done during the day, for example if they have practised evacuation, and what snacks they have had. In addition, parents have daily opportunities for discussion with the childminder. When completing contracts and child information forms with parents, the childminder finds out about issues relating to children's specific needs, such as allergies and dietary requirements. However, the systems currently in place do not ensure that all families’ religion, culture and home language are documented.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude to meeting children's needs. The children feel valued, the childminder displays framed photographs of all the children and routinely talks about those who are not present with pride. The children are learning about the wider world. There are maps displayed, and they have access to some beautiful resources including the books 'For Every Child', 'The Best Mum', and 'All Kinds of People'. The childminder provides some activities to further raise children's awareness, for example they make hats to celebrate Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave very well. The childminder is consistent, and the children understand how she expects them to behave. She ensures that children are fully occupied in their play. The children are encouraged to take account of each other, and be kind.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy and settle. The childminder plans her time with the children well, to ensure that they enjoy a stimulating and enjoyable day. The childminder is very child focused.

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Organisation

Regulatory documentation is well maintained, and the childminder has a set of detailed policies and procedures which mostly give parents a good view of the service she provides. The childminder has a keen desire for professional development, and has started a National Vocational Qualification course to build on her skills and knowledge further. The childminder organises her schedule well. She is careful to maintain adult to child ratios so that children are supported. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there was one recommendation raised. The childminder was asked to ensure that areas used for overnight care were safe and suitably organised to meet the needs of sleeping children. All areas used by children being cared for overnight are observed to be safe and suitable, and the childminder prepares them to be welcoming and comfortable. This helps children to feel welcomed, and secure.

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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. The provider is

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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 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): • enhance the systems in place to share information about each child

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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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