Merricks Jessica

Inspection report for early years provision

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507342 Unique Reference Number 06 August 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 outstanding. 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 1998. She lives with her two children aged six and nine in Salfords, Redhill. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding plus a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently minding three children under five part-time and one child over five after school. She walks and drives to the local schools, parks and shops. The childminder also visits various childminding groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceedingly clean and tidy home. The childminder obtains written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, and effectively maintains their health through the excellent hygiene routines she has established. Children clean their hands

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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 with liquid soap and use paper towels, to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. They wash their hands before they eat and after they use the toilet, to protect them from infection. Children have colour coded beakers to prevent them drinking from another child's cup.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder raises children's awareness of the need to eat fruit and vegetables by providing them with their own daily food chart to complete. These enable children to check if they have had their 'five a day'. The childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating, and prepares nutritious meals made from fresh ingredients. The children and the childminder sit down together to eat their lunch, making meal times a sociable occasion, when all participate in the conversation. Drinking water is accessible to children at all times, to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children follow their own sleep patterns, and rest in a travel cot, or on the settee if they are tired. The childminder provides children with extensive opportunities to exercise. They play in the garden, using the wide range of resources she makes available to them. Children also visit local parks and fields, where they can run around to strengthen their muscles. They are taken for daily walks to keep fit, and socialise with others at the various groups they visit with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the childminder's care. They benefit from having their own playroom which leads directly into the garden, and move freely between the two areas when the weather is appropriate. They independently select what they wish to play with from the excellent variety of toys that are easily accessible to them. The resources provided effectively meet the needs of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is committed to ensuring children's welfare through the extensive safety measures she has in place. There are gates at the bottom of the stairs and across the kitchen doorway to prevent children having unsupervised access to these areas. She has devised an evacuation plan, and has an arrangement with other childminder's to provide cover for her in the event of an emergency. The childminder regularly checks sleeping children, to ensure their wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, as the childminder has an exceedingly good understanding of child protection issues. She keeps her knowledge up-to-date, and is aware of how to seek advice, if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept gainfully occupied by the purposeful activities provided by the childminder. She appreciates that all children develop differently, and encourages each child to progress at their own pace. The childminder organises her day in a manner which allows her to give attention to older children while the younger ones are asleep. She plays soothing background music to create a relaxing atmosphere for children to play in. The childminder shows an interest in what children are doing and ensures they are settled before leaving them to complete tasks on their own. Consequently, they are often happy and content to amuse themselves.

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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 cooperate well with each other. They laugh and talk together as they play with the bubbles in the water tray for substantial periods of time. Children are confident to ask the childminder for assistance when necessary, as they know she is always ready to help them. For example, one child wore a superman costume throughout the morning, and the childminder cheerfully assisted them to fix the cloak to this on several occasions. Younger children happily amuse themselves, playing with their own container of stimulating toys, attracted by their bright colours and the interesting noises they make. The childminder successfully provides parents with evidence of their child's progress by completing an achievement record for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated with equal concern by the childminder, and she successfully manages to give them all some individual attention. The childminder effectively liaises with parents to meet children’s specific requirements by finding out about their likes and dislikes when minding commences. She is resourceful, and raises children's awareness of different faiths and cultures from around the world by sharing with them items from the collections of artefacts she borrows. Although the childminder does not currently have any children with learning difficulties or disabilities on roll, she has an excellent understanding of how to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder keeps parents exceedingly well informed about their child's progress through the daily diary sheets she completes for them. These provide them with details of what children have been eating and the activities they have been engaged in during the day. Parents are each given a copy of the childminder's policies, and complaints procedure. Consequently, they are fully aware of how any concerns raised will be handled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to have good manners, and as a result, they are extremely polite. The childminder promotes positive behaviour through claps and praise. She also shares good behaviour with parents, to raise children's self-esteem. The childminder intervenes early to prevent disagreements between children and redirects their attention. The childminder works with parents to resolve challenging behaviour, and to promote continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder, and she remains with them at all times when visitors are present. She reads relevant literature and attends training courses to keep her knowledge up-to-date, in order to enhance the care she provides for children. She is exceptionally well organised, and all of the appropriate documentation is in place, and easily accessible. Her policies, procedures and children's records are regularly updated. The childminder stores her records securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained, and they are made available to a child's parents on request. She has a comprehensive portfolio of information to make new parents aware of how she manages her practice, including sample menus and a timetable of her day. The childminder has an effective settling in process for new children, and ensures that they are made to feel part of her family. The childminder meets the needs of the range of

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder ensure children have access to an expanded range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. The childminder has now obtained an appropriate selection of books, pictures, dressing-up clothes and figures to promote children's understanding 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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