Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348168 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 2007. She lives in a residential area of Haslemere, Surrey with one child, who has started an apprenticeship. Children play on the ground floor, they use the sitting room and the kitchen/dining area, and there is a secure rear garden. Small children can use the first floor bedroom for sleeping. The family have one dog and four cats; the dog has a separate enclosed area within the garden. The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childcare Practice course and has a current certificate in first aid training. The childminder is presently caring for three children on different days during the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in very clean and well maintained premises where the childminder organises all the requirements needed to suit the ages of the children attending. She has clean bibs hanging within reach for babies and baby toys in separate containers. She cooks and prepares individual baby food in advance and has a variety of different food available. The childminder uses fresh products and she is aware of maintaining children's health through providing sensible

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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 diets. Babies have their hands and faces wiped gently, before and after eating. They sit and crawl on clean floors and reach their toys. The childminder immediately cleans up after the babies and she regularly washes the cream floor rug and the baby toys to ensure there is no cross-contamination. She is very aware of children's individual needs and feeding habits. Babies have cuddles and affection when they are tired and drinking from their bottles. The childminder records all daily routines for parents and this includes nappy changing and feeding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is supported by the childminder's clear knowledge of their needs, she is aware of their routines for sleep and knows when they will become distressed if left to cry. She provides individual bedding for sleeping children and changes nappies regularly; using a supply of clean towels for babies to lay on. There is a first aid kit available and the childminder has completed training in first aid. She is fully aware of recording all accidents, but has not fully followed the regulations for previously administering medication. Parents are informed about the routines for sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Small children and babies have ample opportunities for physical development because the childminder has a wide selection of suitable play apparatus available in the garden. She includes fifteen minutes of dance and movement for children every day and babies recognise when the music is played. Children go for walks and there is a large play park next door to the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are fully secure and safely cared for because the childminder supervises them at all times and they remain on the ground floor to play. The front door is secure and the rear patio doors are fully open for ventilation, with a stair gate to prevent crawling babies from using the garden unsupervised. There is also a stair gate at the foot of the stairs. All windows within the home have locks and can be locked when partially open. Older children can easily access the ground floor toilet. Small children and babies can sleep safely on the first floor, full sized cots are available and the childminder uses a baby monitor. The small garden is fully utilised for children and the family dog has a separate fenced area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access a broad range of very suitable play equipment because the childminder has successfully adapted areas and organised these. She has included low shelves in the sitting room where children's resources are stored in labelled boxes and she has a blackboard which can be hung in the dining room at the right height to enable toddlers to use chalks freely. There are safe and suitable high chairs and buggies available. The childminder has written her own procedures for lost or uncollected children, she is continually aware of assessing risks at all times when babies are present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire equipment is in place and the childminder has considered an emergency escape plan. She has informed parents of a local contact person for emergency support and she keeps all children's contact details available in each room that is used for childcare. The childminder is aware of how to evacuate the premises from the first floor if caring for children overnight. Children's safety is considered on outings and there is full liaison with parents who provide children's individual car seats. A current certificate of public liability insurance is displayed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is entirely prioritised because the childminder has a clear understanding of contacting other agencies for support and guidance. She is very aware of the signs and symptoms

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 which raise concerns and she provides information for parents to explain her duty to contact other agencies. The childminder records all injuries that children have on arrival.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder because they have constant attention and activities and routines to meet their needs. The childminder is fully aware of children's stages of development. She encourages them to extend their physical abilities by learning to stand and balance, by holding items and learning to feed themselves. Babies like to sit in the high chairs at times, where they can see out into the garden and know what is happening. They happily sit learning to chew on crusts of bread and learning to use their own beakers with handles. Babies also sit on the floor and reach suitable play resources that interest and involve them, they play with small wooden bricks and soft dolls. Babies who are learning to walk can use a push-along baby walker, as they are closely supervised. They enjoy the garden swing which is securely designed for babies and the small ball pool. They have a paddling pool with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a roof for shade and the childminder fully supervises their play with water.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children and babies take part in finger painting, they colour, draw and paint, they practise emergent writing and make cards for special occasions. Children like to read and can look at picture books because there are a wide variety available. There are many items to encourage role play and pretend play using different animal puppets. The childminder has songs to link with the hand puppet animals. Music and singing are daily favourites with the toddlers and babies, they are learning to clap and co-ordinate their body movements in time to the music. They thoroughly enjoy the music and the childminder sings to them. She has a very sound knowledge of child development and instinctively knows when babies need fresh activities or interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Small children have a good supply of positive images which reflect the diversity within society, they play with dolls of both genders and dolls with different skin colour. They have books and pictures which show different facial appearances and posters displayed of other cultural ways of dressing. The childminder has an open attitude towards all religions. She has less experience of managing any learning difficulties or disabilities, however she would happily seek advice and assistance in liaison with parents. The childminder fully understands how to manage children's behaviour and she is positive, diplomatic and tactful. She is very aware of child development and includes explanation to children about behaviour, only when this is appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have full information about the childminding service because the childminder has all policies and procedures in writing. She ensures that parents are happy and they can visit frequently before leaving their children. They can also organise several visits for children to play and settle before making arrangements for their care. The childminder uses contracts with parents and most parental permission is signed. There is a thorough complaints procedure in place and records of all children's details including several emergency contacts and individual passwords for children's collection. Children's daily activities and routines are recorded in diaries for parents, who can also use the diaries to send messages to the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has fully organised her home for childcare and all requirements for managing children's daily routines are immediately available. She understands her responsibility for checking that all adults in the home are suitably cleared and that Ofsted are notified of any significant changes. The childminder has requested to care for children overnight and has all suitable requirements in place for sleeping younger children on the first floor. The childminder dedicates all her time to the children in her care, she shows experience and enthusiasm for enjoying their activities and encouraging their development.

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Organisation

The registration certificate is displayed and the childminder has completed all regulatory qualifications within the first six months of her registration. She has most documentation in place and completed for individual children, although the daily register is not fully up to date. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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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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): • record all medication administered and ensure parents provide written permission to administer • ensure that daily register is up to date

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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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