Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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507529 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Debbie Molly O'Callaghan 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 outstanding. 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 February, 2000. She is registered to look after six children, three of whom can be under the age of five years. There are five children on roll. Her husband acts as her assistant. She lives with her husband and three children of school age, in a detached house in a residential road. There are many facilities within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminders husband works from home in an upstairs room.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet facilities in this area, and two bedrooms are used for sleeping children. The enclosed garden area consists of a patio and a raised garden area.

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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 outstanding. Children play in a very clean well maintained environment. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and understand why they need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet or before eating food. Children are protected from illness and infection because there is a well written policy and the childminder records all accidents, administration of medication and incidents, which protects children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a written menu to share with parents. Meal and snack times are sociable; children sit at the table with the childminder. They are provided with a range of healthy snacks including bread sticks, raisins and fruit encouraging them to develop healthy eating practices. The childminder demonstrates an excellent awareness of healthy eating and provides the children with healthy freshly cooked meals. They receive regular drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical play both indoors and out. They attend drop-in groups, walks, visit the park and have regular access to outdoor play. They play on an extensive range of high quality outdoor equipment which helps develop their physical skills. The children's own daily routines are followed, including times for rest and quiet play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe in a very well maintained and welcoming environment. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe as they practise fire drills which helps them to gain an awareness of fire safety issues. The childminder gives constant reminders when they are out walking why they need to stay close, hold hands and learn about road safety. The childminder has a professional approach to safety and attends relevant training to extend her knowledge to protect children further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from having plenty of space in which to move around in safely, allowing them to explore their environment and develop independence. They have free access to an extensive range of equipment which is of very good quality and meets the needs of the children attending. The toys and resources are easily accessible allowing them to make independent decisions about their play and initiate their own learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a very good understanding of child protection issues. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle very well at the childminder's home, they relate extremely positively to each other and have frequent opportunities to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local drop in groups. The routine of the day enables children to enjoy time to play on their own and develop their own ideas. Children also enjoy taking part in activities, which they do with great confidence.

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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 Children benefit from visits to the local museum and farm, they recall what they did and saw through memory and looking at the photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder creates many opportunities for the children to benefit from a very broad range of high quality resources, both at home and within the community. Children spend their time purposefully and the resources in place support them in their imaginative play. For example children dance and sing along to musical rhymes such as 'wheels on the bus' and 'wind the bobbin up' with musical instruments, they use the frying pan as a banjo and play with cymbals, triangles, recorder and drums. The childminder chats to the children constantly about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has made a treasure basket and feely box, children reach into the hole and the childminder asks them 'what can you feel' 'what it is', they respond with delight when they find an item such as a duck, purse, brush, sieve, shell and spoon.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The theme is Autumn and children make hedgehogs and collect leaves to look at the changes of colour, they have stories and children look at bugs through magnifying glasses, they discuss what it is, colour and how many legs. The childminder interacts very well to support and extend children’s learning especially through engaging them in meaningful conversations and repetitive language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing a good sense of the community they live in as they go out on walks in the area to local places of interest. They are aware of the wider world because the childminder provides them with a very good range of resources that promote all aspects of diversity. She talks to the children about differences and has made flags of the children's holiday destinations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good systems in place to support children who have special needs. Close liaison with parents ensures all children's needs are well planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well and learn to respect their environment. They willingly help to clear away toys and enjoy responsibilities. The childminder knows the children very well and gives lots of praise and encouragement and ensures children are not bored.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes time to share information with parents about children’s individual progress and development. The childminder uses a daily written diary about the events of the day including meals and activities. Parents are given a family profile and comprehensive policies on all aspects of care. Written feedback from parents are very positive about the care they are receiving.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are very at home and benefit from the well organised play space provided. They receive excellent support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

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 are carefully protected from adults who have not been vetted, as effective procedures are in place and all necessary checks are carried out. She is aware of the procedure to follow in the event that a parent makes a complaint about her.

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Organisation

The childminder has a systematic approach to managing her documentation. All regulatory documentation is maintained in full and is stored confidentially.

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Organisation

The childminder has a business like approach to her childminding and maintains her records very well promoting the children's welfare, care and learning. Parents are kept very well informed of their child's achievements with the childminder discussing all aspects of the children's care with them. This means 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 was asked to ensure accidents and medication are clearly recorded. The childminder records all accidents and medication and ensures parents sign all entries. This protects children's health.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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