Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253377 Unique Reference Number 11 September 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, seven and three in Banstead, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, with the exception of the office, is used for childminding. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time and seven children over five after school. She walks and drives to the local schools, parks and shops. The childminder regularly attends a toddler group and a music group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an exceptionally clean and tidy home. Sick children are excluded to protect others from infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, and her first aid box is appropriately stocked. She keeps an additional first aid kit to take on outings, so that she is

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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 fully prepared in the event of minor injuries. The childminder's accident and medication records are extremely well completed, and children's health is maintained through purposeful hygiene routines. These include providing children with antibacterial soap and paper towels when they wash their hands, to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. All kitchen surfaces and the baby changing mat are cleaned after use to avoid the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a nutritious diet by the childminder, as she has an excellent understanding of healthy eating. Children are given fruit at snack time, and meals made from fresh ingredients. The childminder ensures children have vegetables with all their meals, and that they eat a well balanced diet. Water is available to children at all times, to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with excellent opportunities to exercise. There is a wide range of equipment in the childminder's garden for children to play on and keep fit. They are taken on outings by the childminder, and play in the nearby parks where there are basketball and football pitches for them to use. If children need to sleep a travel cot is placed in a quiet room for them to rest in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children have access to most of the ground floor of the childminder's spacious home, and move around freely between the different rooms. Toys are easily accessible to children, and they choose for themselves what they wish to play with from the substantial selection available to them. The toys and equipment meet the needs of all children, and the childminder checks that they conform to safety standards when they are purchased. Pictures and posters are on display, to make the premises colourful and welcoming to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has extensive measures in place to ensure children's safety. She has an emergency evacuation plan and regularly practises her escape drill with children. The childminder frequently checks that her smoke alarms are functioning, and comprehensive risk assessments are completed. She has the appropriate permissions for children to travel in a vehicle and is vigilant whenever she takes them on outings, to ensure their safety. She makes children aware that they must stay within sight of her at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an extremely good understanding of child protection issues, to safeguard children's wellbeing. She is aware of the signs of abuse to look for and knows how to seek advice, record and report her concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are provided with excellent play opportunities to improve their skills in all areas of their development. The childminder speaks to children in a friendly manner, and makes them feel at home. As a result, children are confident in her presence and are happy to ask her for whatever they need. They engage the childminder in conversations with them, as they know that she shows interest in what they say, and responds to their comments. She develops their knowledge of number and colour through everyday activities. For example, the childminder asks children to identify the colours in the pictures of a book, and to count the different objects they can see. The childminder creates a cosy atmosphere at story time, when everyone cuddles up together, enabling all children to see the pictures and feel the pages of the sensory books.

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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 has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework, and uses focus activity sheets to plan and evaluate the tasks she provides for young children. She regularly completes observation records to track their progress, to see what children need to do next. Children cared for after school generally participate in the purposeful activity which the childminder plans for them each afternoon. Older children also use the art and craft materials or games, which are provided for them in the extremely well stocked play room. They cooperate exceptionally well with each other, and the childminder participates in their games to extend their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder. She liaises effectively with parents to cater for children's specific needs. The childminder has extensive resources to promote children's understanding of diversity, including puzzles, books, dolls and small figures. Children celebrate festivals from a variety of different cultures through the activities offered by the childminder. For example, they cook noodles with her, and eat them with chop sticks. Although the childminder does not currently have children with learning difficulties or disabilities on roll, she has attended training in this subject, and has an excellent understanding of how to adapt her practice to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given extensive opportunities to talk to the childminder about their child’s progress at the beginning and end of the day. She provides a daily feedback sheet for parents to inform them about what their child has eaten, any sleeps they have had and what they have been doing. They know that they can telephone the childminder at any time if there is something they wish to discuss with her. The childminder's collection of feedback questionnaires, letters and cards show that parents are exceedingly pleased with the care she provides. She is flexible, and alters her hours of work to accommodate parents' requests. Parents are fully aware of the childminder's complaints procedure, and how any concerns raised will be handled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes positive behaviour with praise. She is exceptionally patient with children, distracting younger ones when they misbehave, and explaining to older children what they have done wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder manages her practice in a professional manner. She has a folder containing details of her policies, qualifications and insurance details, to make new parents aware of how she organises her setting. The childminder signs contracts with parents, and has all the appropriate permissions and documentation in place. Her records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality, and shared with a child's parents on request. The childminder never leaves children on their own with visitors, to ensure their safety. Her certificate of registration is on display to make parents aware of the conditions under which she operates. The childminder is dedicated to improving outcomes for children, and takes advantage of training opportunities to update and extend her knowledge. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 that hazards to children, such as low level glass and ranch style banisters are minimised, and that she improve her knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder has now fitted safety film where necessary, to all low level glass, and children no longer use the first floor of the house, to ensure their welfare. She attended a child protection course in 2006 to update her knowledge of this subject, and has relevant information easily accessible, in order to protect children from harm.

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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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