Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

160512 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and five children, of these three are aged over 16 years. The family live in Staines. The children have access to the lounge, dining room and cloakroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local carer and toddler groups. The family have rats, ferrets and dogs as pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification to level 3. She is a member of an approved childminding network. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children access fresh air and exercise each day through regular walks to and from school and outings to the local parks. They have opportunities to run freely and develop their large muscle skills while playing on the equipment in the park. Activities within the home allow children to work off steam and use their excess energy, for example, dancing to the music in the lounge. Children stay healthy through the effective procedures in place, such as each child having their individual towel and the childminder washing her hands after changing nappies. Older children are very independent and go to the toilet and wash their hands without assistance. Younger children receive support from the childminder in completing these tasks. All of the required documentation to record accidents and administration of medication are in place. Parents sign and receive a copy of completed paperwork. This ensures they are aware of any incidents

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks for children, for example, bananas and raisons. Children sit at the table with the childminder to have all meals and snacks. These are sociable occasions with lots of communication between the childminder and the children about what they are eating and what they plan to do next. Children learn about food that is good for them through the discussions and chat they have with the childminder. They learn that eating fruit will help to prevent them from becoming ill. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents to ensure the childminder is able to meet the children's individual needs. Parents provide meals for their children and the childminder stores this in the fridge until meal times. Children access drinks throughout the day and these are topped up as required.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. Children are very happy and comfortable in their environment, moving freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. Children select the toys and resources they wish to use from the good range stored in the lounge and dining room. The childminder rotates the toys to ensure children receive a good variety within their weekly routines. She ensures equipment is suitable for the age, stage and play preferences of all children in her care. The childminder provides further toys to ensure all children can play alongside each other, for example, she gets another dolls pushchair so that all three children can play together. The childminder regularly checks and sorts the toys and equipment to ensure it is safe and in good repair.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder undertakes daily safety checks to ensure children can play safely in her home. A written evacuation procedure is in place and children practise leaving the home quickly. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when out on outings. One child tells the childminder when asked that they must listen and look carefully when crossing the road. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting them.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are really happy in this childminder's home. Good relationships are in place between the children and the childminder. Children of all ages find something to interest them from the range of toys and activities on offer. The childminder provides toys and activities to suit the individual needs and requests of the children, for example, making play dough and art and craft activities. Children play both independently and with each other, babies learn to socialise with other people.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive individual time and care from the childminder who chats freely to them all in their play. Older children are encouraged to complete tasks for themselves. The childminder offers support to younger children who require assistance, for example, helping the baby to lift the lid of the toy box. Children learn through their play experiences, such as the learning of colours when playing with the pegs and naming the days of the week when changing the day on the calendar.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's welfare is promoted well. The childminder ensures that children follow their individual routines, for example, sleep and meal times. Children enjoy a range of quiet, active, inside and outdoor activities within their daily routine.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children really benefit from the good relationships in place between their parents and the childminder. Parents receive written information about the childminder's provision including all of the policies and procedures in place. However, this information does not contain the contact address of the regulator or details of all of the household pets. They share information daily both verbally and for younger children through a daily diary. This ensures that the childminder is able to meet the individual needs of the children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder acts as a good role model encouraging and assisting the children to play happily alongside each other. She values and respects each child as an individual and has a very good knowledge of their needs and play preferences. Children play happily alongside each other and are learning to show co-operation in their play. Older children consider the younger children when playing, for example, passing them toys and showing patience when the baby takes a toy from them. The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and gently reinforces these within the daily routines. She explains to children that they need to tidy away before dancing and that this will prevent them from hurting themselves or breaking the toys. Children develop their self esteem through the constant praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Good communication between the parents and the childminder ensures a consistent

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

approach to behaviour management is maintained. This assists children in feeling comfortable and secure in their environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides children with a wide variety of outings, including trips to parks, toddler groups and soft play centres. This enables children to learn about the world around them and meet and socialise with different people. They access a range of resources within the home to reflect the diverse society including small world toys, books and role play. The childminder obtains further resources from a toy library to extend children’s play experiences.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes very good use of the available space within her home. Children play happily and move freely between the two spacious rooms identified for their use. They have opportunities for active and quiet times within their daily routines and especially enjoy selecting their own toys and resources form the good variety available. The childminder plans activities to suit the individual needs and play preferences of the children, for example, play dough. Children feel safe and secure in the home, due to the individual time and attention they receive from the childminder.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has attended short courses to support her childminding service and update her individual knowledge and skills. She has a business like approach to childminding and holds all of the required documentation. She shares this with parents to ensure they are aware of her practice and procedures. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from people who have not been police checked and supervises all visitors to the home. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to include reference to Ofsted within the referral process of the child protection statement and complaints procedure. The childminder has updated the documentation and this enhances the welfare of children in her care. However, the complaints information given to parents does not contain the address of the regulator.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • update the information given to parents, to include the contact address of the regulator and details of all of the family pets.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6