Suzannah Marie Jetten

Inspection report for early years provision

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507278 Unique Reference Number 28 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 1996. She lives with her husband, baby son and four children aged six, nine, 11 and 13 in Ewell, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus the bathroom and a bedroom on the first floor. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part-time. She walks and drives to local schools, parks and shops. The childminder regularly attends toddler groups. The family have a dog, a cat and two rabbits as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment. The childminder has a sickness policy in place, and parents are contacted if a child is unwell while attending the setting. Children suffering from anything contagious are excluded, to protect the welfare of others. The

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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 childminder obtains written permission from parents for the emergency medical treatment of children, and has a current first aid certificate to enable her to handle minor accidents. Children follow some effective hygiene routines, to maintain their good health. The childminder ensures that children wash their hands before meals, and after using the toilet, to prevent the spread of infection. However, the food bowls for the childminder's pets are accessible to children in the kitchen, which impacts on their welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with a well balanced diet. The food they are offered includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. When minding commences the childminder checks whether children have any allergies, or if there is any particular food parents do not wish their child to eat. Water is always available to children, to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

If children are tired they sleep in a travel cot in one of the bedrooms, or downstairs on the sofa. The childminder provides a wide range of opportunities for children to exercise. They use the extensive selection of equipment in the childminder's garden, and are taken to a variety of different groups, where they keep fit while socialising with other children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely in the childminders lounge and dining area, choosing what they wish to play with. There is a broad range of good quality toys and equipment that is appropriate for all minded children. The resources which are accessible to children are stored in containers and a large cupboard in the room where they play. They are regularly rotated with other toys which are stored upstairs, to maintain children's interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some effective safety measures in place. She has an emergency escape plan which is practised with children, and interconnected smoke alarms on each floor. Safety catches are fitted to the kitchen cupboards, and a gate is in place at the bottom of the stairs to prevent children having unsupervised access to the other floors in the house. However, there are currently some hazards in the home which impact on children's wellbeing. These include the damaged playhouse in the garden and some wires in the house, which are accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from harm, as the childminder has recently attended training in child protection, and has a good understanding of the signs of abuse to look for. She understands how to record her worries and 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 excellent play opportunities to develop their skills and abilities. They use stimulating toys, some of which have magnetic parts, or are battery operated and make interesting sounds. The childminder actively involves herself in children's play, discussing with them what they are doing, and assisting them to set up the train set, or to complete a drawing. The childminder develops children's ability to distinguish different colours as she questions them about the marker pens they are using. She eagerly encourages them to take an interest in mark making by asking them to put their name on their drawings, giving children the letters they need to use. The childminder enthusiastically engages children in conversation, speaking to them in a pleasant manner about things they have done at home, and taking an interest in

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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 what they have to say. As a result, children are comfortable and relaxed in her presence. For example, one child told her that that they loved her. The childminder keeps a scrap book for each child, with photographs and examples of their work. The child's parents takes this home at the end of each week, to enable them to see the progress they are making, as recent achievements can be compared with earlier examples.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all given some individual attention by the childminder, and treated with equal concern. She liaises effectively with parents to meet children's needs. The childminder has a settling in period for new children. She enquires about their usual routines before minding commences, to enable her to follow these. The childminder has a broad range of resources to promote children's understanding of diversity. She has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and has a good understanding of how to meet their requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have the opportunity to talk to the childminder about their child's progress at the beginning and end of the day. They are made aware of her complaints procedure, and know that they can call the childminder at anytime if there is something they wish to discuss with her. Letters from parents show that they are pleased with the care she provides. The childminder uses effective strategies to manage children's behaviour, distracting younger children and reasoning with the older ones. The childminder promotes good behaviour through praise.

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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 has an effective portfolio of policies in place, to make parents aware of how she manages her practice. They are also given a copy of her registration certificate, to inform them of the conditions under which she operates. Her register of children's attendance is appropriately completed, and her records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. They are made available to a child's parents on request. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection report recommended that the childminder obtain written permission from parents regarding children's use of the trampoline. She has not yet used the trampoline with minded children, but will obtain written permission before they are allowed to play on it, to safeguard their welfare.

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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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Complaints 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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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 pet bowls are inaccessible to children • ensure that the house and garden are 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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