Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507181 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date June Fielden 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 1995. She lives with her husband and 14 year-old son in Hooley, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part-time. She walks and drives to the local school, shops and parks. The childminder regularly visits indoor play areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. The childminder excludes sick children to protect others from infection. She has a current first aid certificate, to enable her to handle minor injuries, and her first aid box is stocked appropriately. She obtains written permission from parents for the emergency medical treatment of children, to safeguard their welfare. Children follow some effective hygiene routines. They each have their own flannel and towel to avoid

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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 the risk of cross-contamination, and they are reminded to wash hands after using the toilet, to prevent the spread of infection. However, children do not wash their hands before eating their snacks, which impacts on their wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered nutritious meals which are prepared from fresh ingredients. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, and includes plenty of fruit and vegetables in the children's diet. They are provided with a hot lunch and tea, and snacks include healthy options. Drinks are always available to children to ensure they are not thirsty, and the childminder encourages them to drink water in preference to squash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a variety of opportunities to enable them to keep fit. They are taken to local parks, and play in the childminder's garden, where there is a wide range of toys and equipment for them to use. They are regularly taken to soft play areas to exercise. If children are tired the childminder has a travel cot for them to sleep in, or they can rest on the sofa in the playroom or the living room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from having a playroom specifically for their use, where they can move around freely, selecting the toys they require. The childminder has arranged the playroom to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for children. Examples of their work is displayed on the window blinds, and collections of dolls and teddy bears are arranged around the room, to attract their attention. There is a broad range of good quality toys and equipment that is appropriate to the needs and abilities of all children that attend the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are some well organised measures in place to ensure children's wellbeing. There is a gate across the doorway into the playroom, to prevent children having unsupervised access to the rest of the house. A fire blanket and smoke alarms have been fitted, and the childminder has an emergency escape plan, which is practised with children. However, there is some ivy and a water feature that is accessible to children in the garden, which affects their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder is aware of the signs of abuse to look for. She understands how to record any worries she has, and has the appropriate telephone numbers accessible, to enable her to seek advice. The childminder knows how to report her concerns to the appropriate authority when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are provided with an extensive range of play opportunities to develop their skills and abilities. The childminder always speaks to children in a cheerful and encouraging manner. She purposefully questions them to make them think about what they are doing, and to develop their language skills. She talks to children about the colours of the toys they are playing with, and makes suggestions to extend their play. The childminder enthusiastically uses alphabet puzzles with them, encouraging children to learn the letters and the sounds that they make.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and ask the childminder for whatever they require, as they know that she takes an interest in what they say, and will try to fulfil their requests. She patiently teaches children how to hold their hands together correctly to catch objects, and allows them to practise new skills until they have achieved them. The childminder actively involves herself in children's

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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 games. For example, she got down on the floor with the children and showed them how to play hide and seek with the toys. As a result, children soon learnt how to hide the toys under their legs and to make a tunnel with them for the toy train to travel through, causing them to squeal with excitement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all offered the same opportunities by the childminder, and she tries to show them that they are of equal importance. The childminder liaises effectively with parents to meet children's individual needs and always follows their wishes. She celebrates festivals from other cultures with children and provides activities linked to these for them to complete. The childminder does not currently have children with learning difficulties and disabilities on roll, but has an effective understanding of how to adapt her practice to meet their requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a strong relationship with parents. She allows plenty of time at the end of the day to talk to them about what their children have been doing. The childminder keeps a record of what children have eaten during the day to share with parents, and is happy to complete daily diaries for them if they are requested. Parents know that they can call the childminder at anytime if there is something they need to discuss with her. They have been made fully aware of the childminder's complaints procedure, to ensure that they know how any concerns raised will be handled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is effectively managed by the childminder. She makes them aware of her ground rules, and tries to reason with older children. They are given praise to promote positive behaviour, and to let them know when something has been done well. The childminder encourages children to have good manners.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. She is well organised and plans some activities and outings in advance. The childminder signs contracts with parents which are reviewed regularly, and she checks that the information she holds on children is up to date. She keeps a record of children's times of arrival and departure. Their records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality, and shared with parents on request. The childminder's certificate of registration is on display, to make parents aware of the conditions under which she operates. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder develop the range of resources available that reflect diversity within society, and record information about children's individual needs and/or preferences in a clear format. Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained an effective selection of resources to raise children's understanding of disability and other cultures. She now has separate record forms for each child, to ensure that children's personal details are easily accessible, to enable her to meet their individual needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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.

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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 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 appropriate hand washing routines are in place • ensure that the garden is free from hazards.

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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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