Mrs Suzette Smith

Inspection report for early years provision

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153854 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2007 Inspection date Teresa Elkington 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 2001. She lives with her husband and young daughter who is eight years old in Carshalton, Surrey. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and children have access to an outside garden area.

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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 three children under five, of whom one attends on a full time basis and two on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have a cat. The childminder is part of the special needs childminding network and a member of the National childminding association

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. Children's awareness of good hygiene regimes is well promoted as they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after meals. However, the use of the same towel for the drying

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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 of hands does not prevent the risk of cross contamination. The childminder's clear understanding of the required procedures regarding accidents and the administration of medication, protects children in her care. The childminder has consent forms for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice, which allows the childminder to take appropriate action if needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides all meals, snacks and drinks for the children in her care. The childminder shows a good awareness of the need to provide a varied and nutritionally balanced diet. She ensures that any specific dietary needs are fully met as she works closely with parents. Children are supplied with drinking water throughout the day which ensures they are sufficiently hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about lifestyles and the importance of exercise. They enjoy a wide range of outside activities. They enjoy playtimes in the garden, where they hold mini sports day events, where they participate in events such as egg and spoon and sack races, which encourages children to use their skill and dexterity. Regular outings to local parks allows children to enjoy and use large apparatus which helps them to develop their large muscle movements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure environment. Children are given the opportunity to benefit from playing in an adequately spacious and well organised home which allows them to move around and play safely. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and resources appropriate for their ages, which are suitably stored at low level to encourage independence and freedom of choice. All resources are of good quality and regularly maintained to ensure that they are safe and ready for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of potential hazards, as risks in the home and garden have been minimised which enables children to move around the environment safely. A clear fire evacuation procedure has been established to ensure that children can exit the premises safely in the event of an emergency. However, smoke detection equipment is not operational and the fire blanket is not wall mounted and readily accessible to fully protect the children. Children are encouraged to develop their own awareness of how to keep safe; for example, they abide by clear rules of the road and help to tidy away toys so that they do not pose a hazard to others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She is knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of abuse and who to contact about any concerns. This promotes children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into a bright, stimulating and child friendly environment. They thrive in the care of the childminder which approaches activities with enthusiasm, whilst keeping children’s interest and encouraging them to become fully involved. Children benefit from the caring and close relationships they have with the childminder. The childminder is attentive to children’s individual and developing needs and interaction between them is good.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to be independent as they chose and make their own choices as to the activities they wish to involve themselves in. They are well supported by the childminder

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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 who offers guidance and individual attention to ensure that children reach their full potential and to ensure that they receive the most from their play experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children develop and provides well thought through activities to extend and encourage their next stages of development. For example, younger children are encouraged to sort and imitate the sounds of animals as they play which is further extended as children are asked to name the animals. This provides good opportunities for children to develop their language and thinking skills. Children enjoy good opportunities to develop their creative and imaginative flair as they make snowflakes and as they sing and dance to their favourite songs which the childminder sings for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they are treated with equal concern and where their individual needs are recognised and met. They are helped to develop a positive attitude towards people from their immediate and wider world, through their access to books, puzzles, dolls, play people and play materials that are provided. The childminder provides a fully inclusive service for all children. She has sound experience of caring for children with additional needs and adopts good working practices to ensure that these needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the clear strategies that are adopted by the childminder to help them to develop an understanding of right and wrong. They learn to share and take turns, which helps them to recognise the importance of playing in a harmonious environment where they show respect for one another. Children benefit from the constant praise and encouragement, which re-enforces their self confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well-being. Children's care routines are fully discussed and agreed with parents, to ensure consistency between home and the childminder. The sharing of children's achievements and activities undertaken gives parents an insight into their child's day, which ensures that children's contributions are valued and celebrated.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminders effective organisation ensures children are well protected and cared for. Children benefit from the well organised environment and excellent adult support, which ensures that all children feel secure and that their needs are effectively met. Children are kept safe from other adults because the childminder maintains constant supervision at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder has written polices and procedures in place to support her work with young children. Children’s information is easily accessible and stored confidentially. All regulatory documentation is in place and well maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her experiences and training, together with her knowledge of child development, to provide good quality care for children. The childminder 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

At the last inspection one recommendation was made to; devise and implement a system to record any incident of physical restraint. A clear system has now been adopted and implemented to ensure that all incidents are fully recorded. This improvement ensures the children's well-being is safeguarded.

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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 fire detection equipment is in working order and that the fire blanket is accessible • improve hand washing routines to reduce the risk of cross contamination

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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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