Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262617 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Helen Penticost 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 2003. She lives with her partner and three children aged five, three and one years in Claygate, near Esher, Surrey. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five, all of whom attend on a part time basis and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the Kingston childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop well emotionally in the warm and caring environment, where they receive cuddles and praise. They remain healthy because their health and wellbeing is of high priority to the childminder. She ensures they play in a clean environment where they learn from an

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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 early age the importance of good personal hygiene through the effective daily routines. For example, children know that they wash their hands after messy play and before meals, however, they use a shared towel to dry their hands. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. This means she can administer first aid in the event of an emergency. The childminder requests written parental permission before she gives any medicine and records the dosage in a suitable way. She keeps detailed records of children's pre-existing injuries and accidents. The childminder has requested written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and acts in the child's best interest if they are ill in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

They enjoy many outings such as visits to places such as Bockets Farm and visits to toddler groups and the park. This provides opportunity for children to play and climb on large scale equipment important for developing muscles and improving co-ordination. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents and agrees arrangement for providing food and drink with parents. Children are nourished and learn about healthy eating through the food provided and discussions with the childminder. They benefit from nutritious balanced meals adapted to suit children’s needs, when providing meals they are home cooked and include meat, vegetables, fruit and yoghurt. The childminder likes to ensure that children have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day and uses this as a discussion point to talk about colours and shapes. Children have access to drinks throughout

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with a wide and stimulating range of play equipment and resources which are regularly checked and cleaned to ensure they remain in good condition. The arrangement of the childminder's home allows children to develop independence as they move around freely. They are able to choose from a wide range of resources which are suitable for each child’s individual age and interest, whilst offering sufficient developmental challenge. They benefit from a high level of supervision enabling them to enjoy a wide range of experiences safely and with confidence. This allows them to protect themselves and each other, developing a sense of danger, reassured that the childminder is close by.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse and child protection issues. She knows the procedure to follow to report her concerns in order to safeguard the children in her care. Hazards have been identified and addressed in the childminder's home, in order to keep children safe, for example, cupboard locks and stair gates have been fitted. Children are closely supervised on outings, they are strapped securely into the buggy, or in suitable car seats so car journeys are enjoyed safely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development which enables her to offer flexible, quality care, which is suited to each child. Children enjoy a good range of activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination such as painting, making collages and cooking. They are able to make choices from the well organised and easily accessible toys, equipment and resources available, promoting their independent learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Their

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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 early communication skills are well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they enthusiastically discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing such as making painting patterns with string. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider younger children as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, children participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the play and practical support ideas into the activities she provides for younger children. Children are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude to inclusion. The childminder gathers all relevant information from parents prior to admission. This ensures children's individual care needs are identified and met. They develop a sense of belonging because the childminder treats them as an individual and with kindness and respect. She spends time talking and playing with them and values their contribution. This promotes their self-esteem. The childminder helps children to appreciate diversity through discussion and the activities and resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They feel secure because the childminder has a consistent approach to managing the children's behaviour. She has clear expectation, which are understood by children. They are encouraged to share, take turns and play co-operatively through the childminder's good example. Children are spoken to in a polite, positive manner and thrive on the praise and encouragement they receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder seeks relevant information before she starts caring for the children. Parents visit her house and read her policies, such as, confidentiality and sickness. Information regarding the children's day is shared verbally on a daily basis. This helps parents to feel involved in their children's care and ensures the children are cared for in accordance with parent's wishes. As a result, the children follow consistent care routines, enabling them to feel settled.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children take pleasure from the homely environment where space, resources and the use of time is effectively planned to ensure children feel secure and settled. The daily routine is planned around the children and takes into account their individual needs. Children play in a well organised home where there are plenty of resources, both indoors and outside. They get enough adult attention to help them feel secure and confident. They have plenty of freedom, yet the childminder is always on hand to join in their games and offer guidance. This means children are motivated to initiate their own activities or play alongside the childminder and her family.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good range of written policies and procedures that support her practice and contribute to the children's welfare. These include an emergency plan and a procedure to follow if a child is lost or uncollected. The childminder has requested a number of written permissions from parents, such as, permission to take children on outings and transport them

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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 in a vehicle. She shows a strong commitment to further training to enable her to develop her skills and compound knowledge. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was requested to consider developing the range of written information available to parents, to include policies on equal opportunities, child protection and special needs care, to ensure parents are aware of the procedures to follow if they have a complaint and to ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and reflect diversity within society.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures displayed in a portfolio and has developed her resources to reflect 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. 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): • ensure that children have individual hand towels to prevent the spread of infection

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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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