Dring, Jane Martine

Inspection report for early years provision

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153776 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Joanne Lindsey Caswell 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and family in a residential area of Woodmansterne, near Banstead, Surrey. Local amenities, such as a park, schools and shops are close by. Minded children have access to all rooms on the ground floor, with sleep facilities provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available 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. She is currently caring for five children who attend throughout the week. The childminder is willing to collect children from local schools and pre-schools..

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

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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. The childminder consistently teaches children the importance of good hygiene and offers children clear explanations. Colourful pictorial reminders are displayed at low level in the play room helping to reinforce the importance of effective hand washing routines. As a result, children clearly understand they must wash their hands after blowing noses, playing outside, after toileting and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is extremely vigilant in protecting children from infection, as she maintains a scrupulously clean and hygienic environment. For example, she cleans the highchair trays thoroughly with anti-bacterial spray before and after use; sterilises the toys regularly and maintains extremely hygienic practice during nappy change routines. She wears gloves when changing nappies, ensures nappies are always disposed of hygienically and thoroughly cleans the changing mat between each use to prevent cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine enables children to have ample amounts of fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy extensive opportunities for physical play in the garden and visit the park and local soft play centre on a regular basis. This enables children to benefit from active, robust, physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and younger children have appropriate times for sleep to ensure they have sufficient rest to promote their healthy growth and development. The childminder is extremely attentive towards promoting children's health and welfare and clearly recognises when children are tired and in need of a nap. Quiet, well-ventilated rooms are available for babies and children to sleep in, enabling them to sleep peacefully. Children have their own bedding which is freshly-laundered to prevent cross-infection. This contributes fully towards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are extremely well catered for. Children have regular drinks and the childminder is attentive in ensuring babies and younger children only drink from their own beakers to prevent cross-infection. The childminder implements fun, innovative and imaginative strategies to help children learn the importance of healthy eating. Daily charts are maintained to record which fruits and vegetables children have eaten to ensure children receive the recommended levels of five portions of fruit and/or vegetables each day. As a result, children take an active interest in recognising different foods and learn about the importance of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is given paramount importance. The childminder is extremely vigilant in recognising potential hazards and is highly attentive in protecting children from harm. She takes all necessary precautions within the home and organises the space to provide ample room for children to play and move around freely. The kitchen has been thoroughly checked for hazards and all low level cupboards have been made safe for children. Excellent provision is in place to ensure that sleeping children are consistently monitored. The garden is completely secure and effective measures are taken to ensure the childminder can exit from the locked gates in the event of an emergency evacuation.

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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 There is an extensive selection of high quality toys, resources and equipment available, suitable for the needs of babies and young children. All equipment and toys are checked on a frequent basis to ensure they consistently remain safe for children's use. Toys and play materials for older children are kept inaccessible to babies and younger children to prevent choking risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is excellent provision in place to help children learn the importance of safety. For example, the childminder has planned an emergency evacuation procedure and has included older children in the identification of safety routines. As a result, older children have given consideration in to how they would exit the premises, making suggestions such as keeping low to the ground to avoid the inhalation of smoke and the importance of not panicking. To support this further, the childminder and children regularly undertake emergency evacuation drills to ensure they are totally familiar with designated safety routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Whilst on outings, older children wear fluorescent vests to ensure the childminder can supervise children closely. Older children also understand what procedures to implement if they accidentally become separated from the childminder to ensure their safety. These give excellent examples of helping children to stay safe and understand how to keep themselves, and others, safe. In addition, the childminder has devised extensive written policies reflecting how she promotes children's safety within the daily routine. She has made arrangements with other local childminders to provide assistance and support in an emergency, ensuring that children's safety and welfare is promoted at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding children policies and procedures. She has completed appropriate training and demonstrates an extensive understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children and supporting their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have extensive opportunities to participate in a stimulating, fun and diverse range of play opportunities. They undertake numerous outings, such as to pre-school groups, Play and Learn sessions at the childminding group and frequent visits to the park and soft play centre. These outings develop children's learning and broaden their knowledge through first-hand experiences and enable them to socialise with other children. The childminder provides an extremely fun, relaxed and vibrant atmosphere, enabling children to be happy and feel settled and secure. As a result, children form very strong relationships with the childminder and enjoy extremely close interaction. Children approach the childminder happily and confidently for cuddles, support and reassurance and she is clearly exceptionally vigilant in recognising and responding to each child's individual care needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in purposeful activities, enabling them to be highly stimulated and confident in the childminder's care. For example, babies and younger children delight in experimenting with musical instruments and are visibly proud when their efforts are rewarded with different sounds. The childminder engages in fun, purposeful activities, such as reading books, singing songs and reciting rhymes. For example, the childminder uses puppets to sing the song 'Five Little Ducks Went Swimming One Day'. This is a highly effective method for engaging all children's interests, encouraging them to count and enjoy a fun, creative activity. Older children are kept consistently stimulated and motivated to learn and develop new skills. For example, the childminder makes full use of daily routine activities, such as preparing sandwiches for lunch. She empowers children to become fully involved and utilises the opportunity to reinforce

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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's recognition of shape, by cutting the bread in different ways to produce triangular and square sandwiches.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes full use of the Birth to three matters framework to monitor each child's developmental progress. This enables her to plan suitably challenging activities to meet each child's learning needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are treated equally and fairly, as a result of the childminder's consistent approach to anti-discriminatory practice. Children learn about diversity within the wider world, as they play with resources which reflect modern day society and regularly celebrate different festivals, customs and cultural events. Children's individual needs are totally understood by the childminder, enabling her to address these accordingly in daily practice. For example, she is fully aware of each child's personal care routines and their sleep and feeding needs. The childminder is wholly committed towards promoting inclusion and is dedicated to adapting her care routines and childminding practice appropriately to support all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well. They clearly understand acceptable boundaries and younger children quickly recognise right from wrong. The childminder implements fair and consistent strategies, which children clearly understand, enabling them to recognise acceptable boundaries. In addition, the childminder and children have devised simple 'house rules' ensuring all children understand the childminder's expectations. Children are treated with respect and courtesy and the childminder demonstrates a positive role model to children. As a result, children co-operate well with one another, recognise the importance of sharing and show care and respect for their peers and play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder produces extensive written information for parents. She has a comprehensive childminding portfolio which reflects all areas of her practice and helps parents to clearly understand routines and regulations. Effective communication between the childminder and children's parents on a daily basis ensures parents are made fully aware of each child's achievements and encourages discussion with parents on a frequent basis. All children's care routines are discussed and agreed and the childminder and parents work hard to ensure consistency and familiarity in routines for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder offers a professional, well-organised childminding service. She is extremely aware of her role and responsibilities as a childminder and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through the completion of further training. For example, the childminder has recently completed a recognised early years qualification and values her enhanced knowledge and skills and her status as an early years practitioner. Children are protected at all times as the childminder ensures that all necessary vetting procedures are carried out and visitors are never left alone with minded children.

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Organisation

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the National Standards and is skilled in organising her daily routine exclusively around the needs of children. This results in a very child-centred environment and provides a high quality service to meet children's personal needs.

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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 The childminder is fully aware of the importance of maintaining regulatory documentation. She is meticulous in completing necessary records and ensures all information is recorded accurately. The childminder's methodical approach to maintaining documentation fully enhances the effective organisation of the childminding service and ensures that all children's health, safety and welfare needs are met appropriately.

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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, two recommendations were raised. These related to the types of play resources available and information regarding children's health. The childminder has addressed both these issues. She has increased the range of play resources available to children which reflect gender equality. This improves the provision for promoting equality to all children. The childminder has also obtained the necessary information to support children's health needs. This improves the provision for promoting children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted which 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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