Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241993 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 two teenaged children in Walton on Thames. The ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. A bedroom is available on the first floor for sleeping children. The family has one dog and three cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children of varying ages. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to develop good personal hygiene. For example, the childminder reminds children to cover their mouths when coughing. Children are provided with individual towels to minimise cross contamination. Sick children are excluded to

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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 prevent the spread of infection to others. The childminder has current training to administer first aid and parental consent to seek emergency treatment. This ensures that children have access to appropriate treatment if they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides meals and snacks according to parents' wishes. She offers a nutritious menu, which encourages children to develop healthy eating patterns from an early age. Children learn about healthy eating through themed activities. Meals are home cooked and include vegetables, fruit is offered as a snack. Children are encouraged to have regular drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily walks and regular opportunities to play on the equipment at the local park. In this way, they enjoy the benefits of exercise and fresh air. The childminder holds a sports day during the summer to encourage children's physical activity. She ensures that young children have sufficient sleep and rest as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are made welcoming with displays of toys, photographs and posters at children's eye level. Children move around the ground floor freely and sleep in a bedroom on the first floor, where they can rest undisturbed. The childminder provides a varied range of toys, which are maintained in good condition. She makes sure that these are suitable for the ages of children attending. Toys are stored in labelled boxes within children's reach, for their selection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out a formal risk assessment indoors and outside every six months to minimise hazards. She checks her home every day to ensure it is safe for children. Regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children learn how to evacuate the premises if there is a fire by practising the procedure. The childminder introduces road safety to older children when they are out walking and uses reins to keep younger children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard the children in her care. She knows the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to take if she has concerns. She makes sure that parents are aware of her role. The children's welfare is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and are settled and confident in her care. The positive relationships support the development of young children's communication. This is further promoted by the childminder's interactions with children. She listens to the sounds made by the young child and repeats words back in context. She explains what is happening and introduces new words like 'dinosaur' during play. The young child is very expressive and the childminder encourages this. Together, they identify the toy animals and the sounds that they make enthusiastically.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have choices and develop independence. For example, the child spends time selecting and investigating activities independently. The childminder makes use of the opportunities for learning that are presented within play. For example, she introduces the concept of 'bigger' using the toys. Children express themselves creatively using art and craft materials.

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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 Older children make suggestions to the childminder about what they would like to do after school. They have opportunities to rest or play more actively, according to their needs. The childminder offers a variety of activities to support all areas of play and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and preferences are sought from parents initially, so that appropriate care is provided from the start. This helps children to settle and develop a sense of belonging. Older children learn about the diversity of our society through resources and planned activities. For example, they make a scrapbook that contains pictures of different places of worship, cultures and festivals. The childminder encourages all children to participate in the activities provided. This ensures children have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed positively. The childminder endorses good behaviour with praise and distracts children from unwanted behaviour whenever possible. Children willingly help to tidy up and learn to share the toys with the childminder's support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides parents with an information pack that includes copies of her policies and procedures. She has not devised a system for recording complaints. She uses written business agreements with parents, so that all parties are aware of the arrangements. The childminder records her observations of younger children during the day and shares this with parents. She makes time for conversations with parents when they drop off and pick up their children. A positive relationship is fostered and the regular exchange of information promotes continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to be safe and welcoming for minded children. She has attended training in the Birth to three matters framework. She uses this to plan weekly aims and objectives for younger children. All required checks on household members are in place and the childminder ensures that children are supervised when visitors are present.

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Organisation

An accurate register of attendance is in place and all documentation is well maintained. A range of parental consent forms is in place, indicating that parents are aware of the childminder's procedures and routines. The childminder has devised a range of written policies to support her practice. She displays her certificate of registration prominently, for the benefit of parents. 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 previous inspection, Ofsted requested that the childminder should request written parental consent to seek emergency treatment and administer medication. These issues have been addressed, which has improved the standard of care for children.

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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

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 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): • develop a procedure for recording complaints

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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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