Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282321 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2007 Inspection date Ann Moss 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 husband, adult daughter and her partner and their two children aged five and one year in Ditton Hill, Surbiton. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder works with a co-childminder.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy and learn to protect themselves from germs because the childminder talks to them about washing their hands carefully before lunch and after visiting the toilet. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by being vigilant and ensuring that children are provided with individual paper towels. There are clear systems in place to record accidents and the administration medicine, which are shared with parents. Although her co-minder takes overall responsibility for ensuring that all require documentation and permissions are kept appropriately. Children receive appropriate treatment in the event of a minor accident because the childminder has attended a recognised course in first aid and maintains an appropriately stocked first aid box.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating and are very well nourished by a wholesome diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder liaises closely with parents to promote healthy eating and talks to children about the foods that are good for them and why. She involves them in activities such as growing vegetables. This helps children to understand and appreciate where their food comes from. Drinking water is freely accessible, this ensure children remain refreshed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is well supported through the range of garden activities and travelling regularly to visit areas such as the local park or soft play areas. Children develop their skills of coordination, balance and awareness of space by moving to music, running, riding on tricycles and playing games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children gain a sense of belonging because the childminder welcomes them warmly by name and displays artwork that is important to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well promoted because the childminder is vigilant and ensures security arrangements prevent children from leaving unnoticed. She routinely carries out thorough visual risk assessments and takes effective steps to minimise accidents. Less secure areas, such as the kitchen and stairs, are made inaccessible through the use of safety gates. The equipment children use effectively promotes their safety, such as: child size tables and chairs and soft floors in activity areas, which reduces the risk of accidental injuries; and an outdoor gazebo that shelters the children from sun and rain. Fire fighting equipment meets requirements. A planned emergency escape plan, which has been practised with children, helps to raise their awareness about keeping themselves safe. Children develop a sense of road safety, for example, when out walking the childminder talks about holding hands and to stop, look and listen before

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

crossing roads so they know why and what it is meant to achieve.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant and has policies and procedures in place to safeguard and protect children in line with the local Safeguarding Children's Board requirements, which she shares with parents. This means parents are kept fully aware of the childminder's role and responsibility. Children benefit from the childminder's training in child protection and her confidence to follow procedures, if needed.

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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 good. The childminder is warm and affectionate towards children helping them to feel relaxed and valued. Children are settled. The childminder is experienced and works in partnership with her co-minder to offer children a balance between planned activities and time to play freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display good levels of independence. They engage enthusiastically in a range of stimulating activities which are set and rotated daily, by the childminder, to maintain children's interest and offer a variety of challenges. Children learn to be creative as they finds new ways to blow a toy musical instrument and bounce rhythmically to the sound. Children learn about language through talking, listening and sharing a favourite story or nursery rhyme such as 'Scruffy Teddy' and 'Row Row Row Your Boat'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to socialise, build relationships, share and take turns with their peers by visiting the local toddler group. They learn from first hand experiences, for example, they visit the Discovery Lookout Centre, Bracknell, Horton farm and Chessington World of Adventure. Children learn about their local environment when they visit and explore the local park and library. This helps them to make sense of the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shows children how their work is valued by displaying their artwork for children and parents to see. This promotes children self-esteem and encourages them to try new experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are addressed and respected by the childminder. Although initially her co-minder talks overall responsibility for gathering information, regular discussion with her co-minder and parents ensure children's particular needs are recognised and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She encourages children to talk openly about their family and events in their lives. This raises children's awareness of similarities and differences, promotes feelings of belonging, and develops self-esteem. The childminder works closely with her co-minder to provide a meaningful range of activities and opportunities to promote children's awareness of diversity and the wider world, such as celebrating Divali. Although toys and resources are ample, the childminder does not organise these sufficiently for ease of access.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they have opportunities to discuss boundaries and why they are there and what they are intended to achieve. She has a good understanding of encouraging good behaviour, this includes occupying the children and changing activities to maintain their interest. Children display good relationships with each other. They show consideration, share and take turns well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents. Daily conversation and a child's daily communications book allows a good exchange of information to take place and supports consistency of care. Parents receive clear information about the services provided, policies and procedures. They are given written information, which includes the provision of meals, sickness and complaints.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home because the childminder organises her home, time and routine to meet children's individual needs. They are protected from unvetted persons because she supervises them carefully at all times. She keeps up to date with current practice through ongoing training courses. With her co-minder she plans a worthwhile range of activities for the children in her care

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Organisation

Regulatory requirements are met. Documentation relating to the safety, health and welfare of the children is in place and well maintained. Although her co-minder takes overall responsibility for record keeping the childminder completes records appropriately when required. She is aware of confidentiality and maintains documentation in a secure manner consistent with her co-minder. 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 improve the knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures. Also, to maintain an accurate and up to date record of attendance that reflects the actual times of arrival and departure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now undertaken a course in child protection and is confident in her role in safeguarding children. She has made improvement to documentation. There is a system in place and children's times of arrival and departure are clearly recorded. These changes to childminding practice help to ensure children's safety 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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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 toys and resources that reflect positive images of diversity, including disability, are easily accessible to children.

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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 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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