Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216554 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Sue Boylan 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, four and seven years in the Royal borough of Kingston upon Thames. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder drives to the school to take and collect children. She goes to the park, library and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for two children at any one time and is currently minding two children, one of whom attends on a full-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a routine that contributes to their good health. They love to go to the park to run around and use the equipment to climb on. Children ask to go into the well resourced

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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 garden at every opportunity and take pleasure in playing with the sand and water or jumping on the trampoline. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home where they develop a awareness of good hygiene. They wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating, using their individual towels and flannels, this helps to prevent risk of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a first aid qualification and so is able to treat children quickly if they have an accident or minor injury. Accidents occurring in the childminder's care are recorded and parents provide written consent before any medication is administered, however, any injuries happening outside of the childminder's care are not recorded. The childminder supports healthy eating and provides food that is nutritious and encourages a well balanced diet. For example, children look forward to fish pie or a roast for dinner and a ham sandwich with fruit and yogurt for lunch. Their individual dietary requirements are well met, this protects children's health. Children know they are thirsty as they help themselves from a lidded beaker of water, asking for more when it is finished.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is safe and secure so children are able to move around freely and access all areas used for childminding. There is a range of toys and resources stored to enable self selection, all of which are in good condition and suitable for the ages of children attending. They benefit because the childminder supervises closely and ensures all areas of her home and garden are safe before the children arrive. The local fire officer has visited to provide important information in relation to fire safety. Children are learning to keep safe, for example, they have to hold hands or use a wrist strap when out, be careful when using scissors and hold onto the banister when coming down the stairs. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection. She knows who to contact if she has concerns a child is being abused or neglected, has attended a child protection course, the local guidance is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's company. They enjoy playing with her children, for example, making camps in the bedroom and building with the construction toys. Children benefit because the childminder sits down to play with them on the floor, for instance, filling up the large trucks with Duplo bricks and pushing them along. Children are confident and willingly approach the childminder to ask a question, chat about what they are doing or get some help. There are good opportunities to use their imaginations, for example, going in the garden with torches and 'sonic screw drivers' to pretend to be 'Dr Who'. Older children after school enjoy drawing and colouring or sitting at the computer playing an educational game. The childminder likes to plan creative activities and children like to participate in bubble and hand painting, collage using magazines and rolling out play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a sense of belonging and feel very much at home. The childminder knows the children well and ensures there is a structured but flexible routine where they know what to expect. There are good opportunities for children to experience the local and wider community

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with regular trips to the park, library and toddler groups. The childminder plans trips to other places of interest, such as the coast and fruit picking in the summer. The resources available extend children's awareness of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is good partnership with parents. The childminder completes a written diary so parents can be kept fully informed with what their children are doing during the day. They have recently been asked to complete a form with specific questions about the care their children receive. A file shown to parents at the initial stage of settling down provides information about the provision and what parents can expect from the care on offer. This contributes to continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and benefit from the childminder's calm approach to managing behaviour. They run straight in on arrival and start the day by choosing something to do. Children's self-esteem is fostered when they are praised, for example, when they help another child with a puzzle and for tidying up.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good adult support. The childminder is committed to ensuring children enjoy their time with her. She is an experienced childcare worker and likes to update her knowledge if possible by attending external courses, such as the Birth to three matters framework and using technology with children. There is a range of written polices and procedures which help to provide consistency in care and keep parents informed. The required records are accurate and well maintained, this contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Children are not left in the care of any person not vetted, this protects their safety. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the consent to transport children is clear; practise the emergency evacuation procedures to ensure they are practical and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The documentation relating to the car and emergency treatment has been improved and children practise the emergency escape plan on a regular basis.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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 all injuries are recorded where ever they occur.

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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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