Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232470 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged seven and 11 years, in a detached home in a residential road on the outskirts of Guildford city centre. The home is within easy reach of local facilities, such as, schools, parks, shops and the town centre. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the home, with toilet facilities provided upstairs. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The family have a dog and hamster as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding five children under five years at various times during the week. The childminder has completed the Diploma in childcare practice and Quality First assurance award. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Surrey childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They are taken out daily in the fresh air for walks, such as to the shops, and are able to move freely around the minding

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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 environment. The childminder has completed food hygiene awareness training and supplies healthy snacks for children. Children help put the fruit in bowls and enjoy grapes, blueberries and orange segments as they sit together. They have free access to their drinks during the day. The childminder has a food and drink policy to support her practice and works with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met. She has good policies and procedures in place to protect children from illness and infection. Children play in a home environment which is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness. They have individual towels for use during the day and learn about health and hygiene through good daily routines. Children's hands are cleaned before and after eating and the childminder changes nappies and ensures children are kept clean and

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Helping children to be healthy

comfortable as they play. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and first aid kits for use at home and on outings. She maintains records of medication administered containing all necessary detail.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children relax as they play in the cosy, child orientated environment of the childminder's home. Educational posters displayed within the dedicated play room provide a stimulating surround for children's play and learning. Children actively explore the excellent range of clean, good quality, age appropriate resources. For example, they play with the toy kitchen and pots and pans. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's home as she has identified and minimized hazards. Safety gates are used and socket covers are in place indoors and outside play equipment is positioned on safety bark. The childminder maintains written details of her fire safety risk assessment and checks her premises on an ongoing basis for safety. She closely supervises children's play and reminds children about safety. For example, she reminds children not to run around the furniture as they could hurt themselves if they fall. She ensures young children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are securely strapped in high chairs when eating. She has attended specific child protection training and children's welfare is well safeguarded as the childminder understands her role and responsibilities within this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has attended training relating to both the Birth to three matters framework and the new Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides children with a good range of activities and experiences through which they can develop their knowledge and skills. Children are very happy within her care and giggle and laugh as they play and excitedly dance to music. They develop an understanding of print carrying meaning as they snuggle up to the childminder to share books. The childminder talks to children about objects in the pictures and asks children questions to make them think. She raises children's awareness of written numbers in books and encourages children to count the animals in pictures thereby reinforcing their understanding of the sequence of numbers. Children readily approach the childminder for support showing that secure trusting relationships have been formed. For example, they hand her an interactive

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toy so that she can wind it up for them. They then sit absorbed listening to the sound as different pictures appear on the screen of the toy. The childminder appropriately supports children's emotional well-being with cuddles and reassuring and encouraging talk. She takes children on local outings, for example to music and toddler sessions, where children develop their awareness of the wider world. An understanding of the natural world is developed through visits to an allotment. Children also have opportunities to become involved in craft activities, such as finger painting.

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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 has a good understanding of children's individual needs and treats all children with equal concern. She ensures activities and resources are available which all children can be involved in but respects children's needs for solitary play at times. Children learn to share and develop in self-esteem as the childminder praises their efforts, for example with counting. The childminder has a written special needs statement to support her practice although has no children currently within her care with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children behave very well during play as they are very well supported and actively occupied. They learn right from wrong through discussion with the childminder, who acts as a positive role model with regard to manners. The childminder has established good relationships with parents. She shares a good range of information with them, both written and verbally. All written policies are shared,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

although the complaints procedure does not clearly reflect information outlined in the 2005 addendum to the National Standards. Parents are informed about their child via daily diary sheets. In response to a questionnaire from the childminder regarding her practice parents stated that they are 'pleased with the progress (their child) has made intellectually and socially' feeling that 'good moral values have been taught'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised and her daily timetable shows planned focus activities for children, allowing time for rest and refreshment. Professional development is ongoing with the childminder developing her knowledge and skills within early years care and education to effectively support the children in her care. Children are happy and content and have fun as they learn through play. A good range of documentation is in place to support the childminder's practice with contracts reviewed on an annual basis. Daily attendance records record children's arrival and departure times, although parents do not sign to acknowledge entries. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her practice by developing her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. She has, by reading relevant subject matter, developed her awareness of how to support children in developing their knowledge and understanding of diversity. She uses opportunities as they arise during everyday activities to raise awareness of diversity and has extended her resources to support learning in this area.

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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. 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): • improve documentation by further developing the written complaints procedure to reflect changes outlined in the 2005 addendum to the National Standards and by ensuring parents sign attendance records as confirmation of arrival and departure times.

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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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