Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274983 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Julia Lynn Freemantle 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and 13 in a house in West End, Surrey. The property is close to local schools and amenities. There is a park nearby.

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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 seven children aged between one and nine. One attends full time and six attend on a part-time basis. Minded children have access to all areas of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and a dedicated playroom. The family have goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children become confident in self help skills as the childminder encourages them to be independent. She reinforces this with verbal encouragement and with the use of posters, for example, 'wash your hands' and 'flush the toilet'. They consistently wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before mealtimes and after playing outside and know why this is important. Children benefit from clean, well cared for premises as the childminder has effective procedures in place to maintain good levels of hygiene at all times. There is a written procedure in place for health and safety and the childminder has completed health and safety training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness and infection due to the procedures the childminder has in place. She ensures that their well-being is paramount as she has a good understanding on how to deal with accidents and of the administration of medication. Excellent documentation is kept and this is shared with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health and physical development is promoted as they enjoy a good balanced range of physical activities both indoors and outdoors. For example, children have regular time in the garden and have visits to the local parks and indoor play areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular independent access to water throughout their day; older children help themselves while younger children are supported by the childminder. Children have a varied range of meals and snacks that take into account children's dietary needs, most is provided by the childminder and a written menu plan is available for parents. The childminder respects the wishes of parents if they want to provide food for their child and gives them guidance about suitable food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a social time at snack and meal times as they sit together at the table and chat, they are very well supported by the childminder at this time. Healthy eating is encouraged. For example the childminder discusses the importance with the children, she promotes this further with the use of posters displayed in the kitchen about eating five fruit and vegetables a day and what the snack is today. The childminder has attended a healthy eating course and a food hygiene course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and younger children settle quickly as the childminder follows their own routines; she liaises with their parents regularly about their changing needs in regard to feeding and sleeping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children remain safe while in the childminder's care as she has effective procedures in place to ensure that risks are minimized. For example, she carries out a regular risk assessment of the home and garden. She ensures that children are within sight and hearing at all times. She has an excellent understanding and awareness of safety and potential risks. For example, the front door is locked at all times, the temperature is regularly checked in the conservatory, socket covers are in place and a 'gazebo' is used to provide shade in the garden on very hot days. Children are protected as the childminder has a written fire procedure and has had a visit from a Fire Officer; the childminder and children regularly practise the fire procedure.

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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 Children are only released to known authorised carers and the childminder follows a good clear arrival and departure procedure to ensure that children are protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The rooms used by the children are in an excellent state of repair and decoration, the children benefit from a new dedicated playroom that allows them plenty of space to play freely and develop independence skills. For example, children are able to self-select most of the vast range of toys and equipment available. Additional toys and play equipment is stored in a loft space in the playroom and are rotated regularly. Children are encouraged to ask for their favourite toys. All toys and equipment are in very good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is safeguarded and protected as the childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures in place that exceed those required by Ofsted. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures and has attended recent training. Parents are aware of her responsibility in regard to safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder, they are very confident in their relationship with the childminder and ask for help when needed. The children benefit from the childminder giving constant meaningful praise and encouragement during their day and by her being consistent in her approach with them. The childminder takes every opportunity throughout the day to reinforce their independence skills and makes learning them fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have fun as they have a good mix of activities that are both planned and unplanned during their day, there is a written daily routine that allows for flexibility and spontaneous play. For example, the childminder facilitates and extends children's play by supporting their request 'to do writing, like the child in the poster'. The childminder provides the resources that are needed and helps 'write a letter to mummy'. Older children have opportunities to complete their homework and the childminder liaises with their parents to ensure that they are aware of any difficulties the children may have had.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time purposefully and make choices and explore toys and activities with interest. Children's independence skills are developed and encouraged as most of the toys are stored well on open low shelves and in boxes; the majority are labelled with words and pictures. Children benefit from the dedicated playroom that is welcoming and child friendly; children's art work and posters are displayed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop and progress as the childminder has a very good understanding of child development. She plans activities based around topics, seasons and festivals throughout the year and has written plans for parents to see. The children are able to experience activities at their own level and different amounts of support are given to each child to help them reach their full potential. Most children have individual progress records to ensure that the childminder is aware of how to support and extend their learning. Each child has their own folder that they can put finished and unfinished art work in, to take home and share with their parents; children are given time to finish their art work if they wish.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to express themselves through dance, role play, dressing up, singing, music and craft activities. For example, the childminder encourages and helps children to set up a shop when they want to take the baby doll in the pushchair to the shops. Music plays during the children's day to create a relaxing and welcoming environment.

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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 benefit from visits to the local community, this helps promote their learning and develops their interest in the world around them. Attendance at a local childminding group, toddler groups and indoor play centres gives the children opportunities for physical play and to mix and play with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children benefit from the childminders positive attitude, knowledge and awareness of equal opportunities and of children with learning difficulties and of those who have English as an additional language. The childminder speaks several languages and liaises with the children's parents about their wishes in regard to the languages spoken to the children. The childminder talks in a combination of Hindi, Punjabi and English to children to support their learning and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to use toys, artefacts and resources that reflect the diverse country that we live in. The childminder uses discussion with the children to help them gain knowledge and experience of people and places around us. They learn about differences and acknowledge festivals throughout the year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that children's individual needs are respected and met as she regularly talks to their parents about their changing needs. Children benefit from the childminder regularly observing them to enable her to monitor their progress and development to ensure that any concerns are raised quickly to parents. Information about the children's day is shared with their parents at the end of the day verbally and via daily record sheets or diaries. Parents are kept up to date about the childminding provision through a comprehensive range of policies, procedures, posters and a regular newsletter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a complaints folder in place and has a good understanding of the complaints procedure that should be followed. She has recently reviewed her procedure to ensure that the correct procedure is followed at all times. She displays the Ofsted complaints information poster to ensure that parents are aware of who to contact.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with the parents and encourages them to be involved in topics. For example, the childminder, parents and children recently learnt about the importance of road safety; the childminder provided information for the parents about how to teach children 'The Green Cross Code'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show care and friendliness towards each other and are well behaved. They benefit from the consistent approach and realistic expectations the childminder has; behaviour strategies are adjusted to suit the age and stage of development of each child. Good use of praise, encouragement and the focus of the behaviour being unacceptable and not the child helps to build and develop children's self esteem, promotes and manages their behaviour. The childminder reinforces realistic boundaries for the children with the use of 'house rules' that are displayed for the children in words and pictures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the amount of space available; play space exceeds the amount required. The space available has been organised extremely well to ensure that the children are safe and

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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 have opportunities for a very balanced range of activities both indoors and outdoors; this helps to ensure that the children's learning is extended.

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Organisation

The extensive range of documents available are well maintained and in line with the requirements of the National Standards. Polices and procedures exceed those that are required; all are very well organised and accessible to parents. Confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Organisation

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 last inspection a recommendation was made for the childminder to develop further her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has attended child protection training and reviewed her policy and procedure; she has relevant documents and publications to support her.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection concerns were raised that the childminder did not promote good behaviour amongst the children and that the childminder failed to respond to a written complaint from a parent within the required timescale; these concerns related to National Standard 11: Behaviour and National Standard 12: Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted asked the childminder to investigate the concerns and provide written information. Upon reviewing the childminder's response, Ofsted required more information and conducted a visit. It was found that the childminder was meeting the requirements of National Standard 11, however she had failed to make appropriate arrangements to ensure that written complaints from parents were responded to within 28 days and thus was not meeting the requirement of National Standard 12; an action was raised in relation to this. The childminder provided Ofsted with written confirmation that she had taken appropriate steps to meet the requirements of this action. Therefore Ofsted took no further action. The provider remained qualified for registration.

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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

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

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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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