Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

160423 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 lives with her husband and three children who are 13, 16 and 17 years old, in a house situated in the outskirts of Woking. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with sleeping and toilet facilities in this area.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The provision is within walking distance of some local amenities and the childminder takes and collects children from the local schools.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder has no pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about keeping healthy as they play in the garden, bouncing on the trampoline, and digging in the sand. Children enjoy visiting the local parks after picking up their friends from school. Children bring in packed lunches from home, which the childminder heats up if

p.2

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 necessary. They also bring snacks to have mid-morning and enjoy their banana whilst having a story read to them by the childminder. Children eat meals sat up at the table, developing their social skills as they talk to their friends. They are protected from the spread of illness and infection, as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating. A thorough nappy changing procedure is in place, ensuring that changing facilities are cleaned regularly. This protects children's health.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder deals with accidents effectively. Detailed records are made about what happened, and these are signed by parents to acknowledge the incident. The childminder is happy to give medication when necessary and logs details of this accurately. Parents sign to give permission for medication to be given, as well as signing when medication has been administered, to acknowledge the entry. This protects children's health and well-being accordingly. The childminder ensures she has details of each child's doctor and their current contact details on file, however signed emergency consent forms from parents are not currently in place to seek medical help or advice in an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at a setting which is welcoming, secure and safe both indoors and out. Children are reminded through their play to take care, and older children are encouraged to remember to keep any toys with small parts away from babies and toddlers. This ensures children gain an awareness of safety issues, whilst looking out for their friends. The childminder has some house rules in place which are discussed with parents and children alike. These ensure children are reminded about behavioural boundaries, as well as the importance of keeping themselves safe as they play. The childminder discusses fire safety with children and children start to learn about what they should do in an emergency. However, children rarely practise the evacuation, and would benefit from gaining a hands-on experience of how they should keep themselves safe in a fire.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are kept safe as they walk around the local area, and when on outings and trips. Details of each parents' contact details are carried by the childminder in her car, ensuring that parents can be contacted quickly in an emergency. Children are protected through the childminder's clear understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder has accessed relevant training to ensure she knows her responsibilities if she had concerns about a child's welfare and has documents in place to support her if necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy all they do at the setting, and persist at all their activities with interest and enthusiasm. A wide range of toys and resources are available to children, who self select their chosen activities independently. Children enjoy playing with puzzles, whilst the childminder extends activities skilfully, encouraging them to think about colours and simple mathematical sums. Children enjoy playing with brightly coloured play-dough, and begin to mark make in the shapes which they have made. The childminder joins in with their play and encourages children effectively, praising them enthusiastically for what they have achieved.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from outings with other childminders and their children as they visit Goldsworth Park lake to feed the ducks and go for a walk. Children enjoy a gingerbread man or a picnic lunch if the weather is nice. Children have access to a large, secure play area, and enjoy the

p.3

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 space as they play. Children achieve highly, and demonstrate their high levels of understanding and ability in all areas of their care, learning and play. The childminder supports children very well, and relationships between her and the children are very close. Children seek the childminder out to share their play, and snuggle up to her when looking at a book together. This demonstrates how comfortable and happy children feel whilst benefiting from the childminder's high quality of care.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about their local community and the wider world as they enjoy playing with toys and resources which reflect and celebrate difference. Children play with a doll's house containing characters of different cultures and traditions, and look at books which include positive images and descriptions of people from different countries and who have different beliefs. The childminder has a clear understanding of the difficulties facing children who have English as an additional language and has a policy in place detailing to parents how she plans to support these children in their care and play. There are currently no children who attend the setting with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, although the childminder understands that some children may develop these, and knows to discuss any concerns with parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour at the setting is very good. Children are well stimulated in their play, and receive lots of attention from the childminder. As a result, children play very well together. The childminder talks to children about any inappropriate behaviour when necessary, and works with children to understand how the situation could be better resolved. Children are encouraged to share and take turns, and the childminder is a good role-model, using consistent praise and encouragement for helpfulness and good behaviour. Parents are well informed within the provision. Daily diaries are used to record children's achievements and daily routines for parents to be kept informed and involved in their child's day. The childminder ensures parents have the opportunity to discuss children's development and her service, at the end of each session. This ensures a consistency of care is maintained. Parents receive full details of the childminder's

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

service as they are given copies of her detailed policies and procedures. This ensures parents are fully aware of the care children are receiving at the setting.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy and achieve highly at the setting as a result of the childminder's clear policies and procedures. The childminder has a secure support network available to her, as she meets other childminders regularly at toddler groups and for trips and outings. The childminder uses this facility well in order to share ideas and discuss good practice, whilst children develop confidence in making new friends and meeting other adults. The childminder has a clear belief in the importance of self development as she accesses training and workshops in a variety of relevant subject areas, such as behaviour management and the Birth to three matters framework. This provides children with care which is regularly updated with best practice.

p.4

Organisation

Parental signed consents are in place for the childminder to take children on trips and outings, along with permission for children to enjoy playing on the trampoline. This ensures children's safety and parental agreement is maintained. The childminder has clear registers in place which she uses to record children's attendance. This, along with full contracts and child records, are

p.4

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 kept securely stored maintaining confidentiality at all times. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection, the childminder was recommended to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of existing injuries to children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has fully addressed these previous recommendations. She has since accessed training in issues surrounding safeguarding children, and has sought relevant documentation to support her in her understanding. Records are maintained of any existing injuries which children may have, and parents sign to acknowledge the record. This ensures that children's safety is protected and fostered. The childminder has increased the range of toys and resources in place to ensure children gain an awareness of social diversity. Children enjoy playing with small figures dressed in traditional costume, and look at books which contain positive images of people from other cultures and backgrounds. This promotes inclusion and children's awareness of the wider world.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • ensure signed consent forms are in place for each child, giving permission for emergency help and medical advice to be sought if necessary • practise, time and evaluate fire evacuation procedures with children regularly, in order for them to gain an understanding of how they can keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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