Dobinson, Sarah

Inspection report for early years provision

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507436 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2008 Inspection date Joanna Scott 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her partner and two children aged 18 and 14 in Esher, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities provided upstairs. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time, and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to a local nursery to collect children. She attends toddler groups, and takes children to parks. The family have a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children play in an environment which protects their good health. The childminder ensures that she completes regular cleaning routines to ensure that the premises and resources are hygienically maintained. Older children learn through discussion to wash their hands at key times to prevent illness.

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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 children have regular opportunities to be outside. The childminder takes children to local parks where they develop their balance and co-ordination using the play equipment, and they walk the family dog, so are active in the fresh air. The children's food is provided by the parents and the childminder. Children eat well, and the childminder stores and re-heats foods suitably to best protect children's good health. Children have the opportunity to rest in line with their home routines. However, they sleep in a room without curtains to block out some daylight.

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Helping children to be healthy

Systems are in place to record prescribed medications, however a record of permission to administer non prescribed medication is not always kept, and the administration of Calpol has not been recorded. This does not meet the National Standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children play in a home where the childminder minimises risks. For example they mostly use the playroom which is prepared specifically for the care of young children, and the childminder uses a stair gate to block free access to other areas of her home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children well. She is child focused. The children are under her direct supervision when out of the house on trips. The children are starting to think about keeping themselves safe. The childminder talks to them about road safety and children always hold hands in car parks and near roads. The children understand the childminder's house rules. For example they know they may sit on the bottom step of the stairs to put on their shoes, but they must not go upstairs on their own.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard child protection issues, and the procedure to follow should she have a concern. She asks that parents notify her of any existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy a range of activities in and out of the home. The childminder plans her day taking into account which minded children will be in her care. She takes children to toddler groups where children have the opportunity to mix with other children and take part in a range of activities. At home the childminder ensures individual routines are taken into account so that children rest when they are tired.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and children enjoy warm and nurturing relationships. The childminder is attentive and interacts well with the children. She sits on the floor and plays with them, extending their enjoyment of the resources and their games. She cuddles babies and smiles and chats to them which encourages their vocalisation. She is attentive to their needs, for example she regularly offers drinks to younger children to ensure they are comfortable.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises her resources so that only those suitable for the children's age and stage of development are accessible. The children are interested in the toys.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder and parents liaise verbally to share information about children's needs. They complete written contracts and child record sheets which include details about individual routines and separation. This helps the childminder support the children to settle in her care. The childminder sends texts to re-assure parents when children are settling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's individual needs are taken into account and the childminder plans her day around their specific needs and routines. Children are treated with equal concern and warmth. The childminder finds out about languages spoken at home, and religious beliefs, so that she can talk to the children about their home experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses distraction techniques with babies, and is very positive with praise and encouragement. Through discussion and the written behaviour management policy the childminder demonstrates that she has suitable techniques to promote wanted behaviour, and deal appropriately with any challenge.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder helps the children to settle through implementing home routines. She plans her day well, to ensure she is child focused when childminding. She organises her home well, and children mostly use a dedicated play room. The childminder has updated her first aid training, and has applied to attend training in relation to implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage later this year.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed some written policies and procedures to reflect aspects of her business. Records are mostly up to date and maintained, however the medication records do not meet requirements of the National Standards. Required adult to child ratios are maintained which supports children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to have written agreements with parents concerning the administration of medicines. Systems are in place, but do not meet requirements for non prescribed medication. She was asked to review the range of resources to reflect social diversity. The childminder has some resources which are accessible to the children, such as a hat from China in the dressing up, and books such as 'My Busy Day', and 'Say Goodnight'. Finally the childminder was asked to up-date her knowledge of child protection referrals. As a result she has written a child protection policy, although this does not reflect the most current 'safeguarding' terminology and would benefit from further updating.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st 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. 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 satisfactory. 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 records of any parental permission to give non prescribed medication, and the administration of any non prescribed medication, are in place and retained for inspection • improve further the child protection procedure to include safeguarding terminology • improve further the area used for sleeping by ensuring that window dressings are available to block out light when needed

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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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