Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275451 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 2004. She lives with her mother, father and adult sister in New Malden Surrey. Children are cared for in two ground floor rooms, and a separate annexe at the rear of the garden, which is organised as a playroom. There is a secure garden area available for children to use.

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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 11 children under eight years on a full and part time basis. The childminder regularly works with assistants. The childminder regularly takes children to parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. All areas of the home used by the children are very clean for them to play and be cared for in. Children are protected from cross infection because daily cleaning programmes take place and the childminder carries out good nappy changing routines. Children begin to learn the importance of good personal care, as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, after using

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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 toilet and after playing in the garden. Wet wipes are also available for children to wipe their hands and faces at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meal times are a sociable occasion, when children sit together with the childminder at a child size table and enjoy their meals. Children benefit from nutritious home cooked foods and fruit every day. Menus demonstrate the childminder’s knowledge of providing a varied balanced diet for children. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding children’s dietary needs from the parents and ensures these are fully met. Children are offered regular drinks by the childminder and are able to access drinks from a water container during the summer months. This ensures they do not get thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder and one of her assistants hold a current first aid certificate and the well stocked first aid box is easily accessible in the play room. This means minor injuries are able to be attended to immediately. The sharing of the accident record with parents enables them to watch for any further symptoms that may occur. Children are protected in a medical emergency, because the childminder has written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment for them. Parents give prior consent for the childminder to administer medication, which ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The written sickness policy informs parents that children who are infectious are unable to attend, thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to their health. Each day they enjoy playing in the garden where they ride wheeled toys, use the slide and play a variety of ball games. Children like visiting parks, where they are able to run, play on swings and large climbing equipment. This promotes their physical development and ensures they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where the childminder has taken action to protect children from any hazards so they are able to move around safely. For example, a safety gate prevents children accessing the kitchen and the garden gates are made fully secure once the children have arrived. Children safety is also protected outside of the home, because the childminder ensures children sit in appropriate car seats for their age and talks to them about safe places to cross the road when walking. Road safety is further enhanced with the children with the use of books. On some outings children wear badges with the childminder's mobile phone number, so they can be reunited with her as soon as possible, if necessary. There is a fire blanket in place in the kitchen and a working smoke alarm in the ground floor of the house and the playroom. The written fire evacuation procedures are practised with the children, which helps

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

them learn to leave the premises safely in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected by the childminder’s good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She keeps the local authority children’s services phone numbers in her records and is aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder always works with an assistant, which ensures children are supervised at all times when they are present. Children access a excellent range of play resources and equipment which are clean and the childminder makes sure they are suitable for the age and stage of development of the children she is caring for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The designated playroom is very child centred, bright and inviting for children. They enthusiastically choose what they want to play with from a wide range of play resources and equipment. They like drawing pictures and some more able children proudly write some recognisable letters in their name. Posters with numbers and letters are displayed around the room, which promotes children’s awareness of print. Children show a very keen interest in information and communication technology as they very confidently operate learning programmes using the computer. They relish using construction materials, such as duplo to make their own unique models. The childminder encourages children to learn numbers, by singing nursery rhymes with them and providing puzzles and games. Children love looking at books on their own and with each other in the well resourced attractive book area. They take

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pride in showing photographs of a visit to the farm, talking about the animals they had seen and the other children in the photo’s.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as sand and water play, moulding play dough, painting, sticking, making models from recyclable materials, blowing bubbles and discover different textures as they play with cornflour.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings which enhance their learning and interests. For example, they visit shops to look at different foods and learn to pay for things with real money.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is a trained nursery nurse and plans an excellent range of stimulating activities, which promotes children’s enjoyment and learning, whilst they are in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly respected as individuals. The child centred environment and displays of their art work helps children to feel very welcomed and valued within the environment. They quickly settle on arrival and have good relationships with the childminder and her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children needs are extremely well met as the childminder obtains written details from the parents of their child’s needs and routines. She follows children’s home routines, when they first start and informs parents of any changes to it. The childminder welcomes parents into her home to exchange information with them and gives verbal feedback about their child’s day. This ensures consistency of care for the children. The childminder gives parents photographs of their child enjoying activities whilst in her care. She has devised a detailed portfolio of her childminding service which includes polices and procedures, which are shared with the parents. They are made aware of how to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about diversity through a very wide range of play resources and books which are fully integrated into every day play. Children enjoy spending time exploring world globes and playing with play people reflecting different cultures. Children learn about their own and the festival celebrations of others. For example, children made pictures of henna patterns at Diwali and cards at Christmas. They discover the local community through visits to different local play grounds and parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they have clear routines and are aware of the boundaries. This supports their understanding of playing safely, sharing and being kind to each other.

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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 Children receive constant praise and are given stickers for achievements and good behaviour, which greatly enhances their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and provides a fully inclusive environment for them. She works very closely with the parents and other professionals to ensure children’s needs are fully met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed and at ease within the well organised environment. The organisation of the daily activities and the designated playroom maximises their opportunities to learn through play. Children benefit from the childminders enthusiasm and very good awareness of child development.

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Organisation

The childminder works with one assistant who is also a qualified nursery nurse on a constant basis and with others at various times. This means children are very well supported during their time at the childminders. However parents' written consent for an assistant to be left in sole charge of the children has not been obtained.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps most of the required documentation required, which is well prepared and maintained. Polices and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and safety of the children. The childminder displays her registration certificate prominently for parents to view. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course and ensure written agreements and parental consents for all children are in place. Since the last inspection the childminder has completed a first aid course and has devised written agreements and parental consents. This enhances children's health and 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): • obtain parent's written consent for assistants to be left in sole charge of the children at agreed 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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