Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY351382 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 2007 and lives with her two school age children. They live in a house in Witley, near Godalming, Surrey. Local schools, shops and parks are within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years, all of whom attend part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two dogs and a cat as pets. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have healthy nutritious food which includes a packed lunch provided by parents, and a home cooked tea provided by the childminder. The childminder eats with the children and

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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 treats mealtimes as a social occasion. In the summer children enjoy lots of outdoor picnic lunches.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder follows good hygiene practice when changing children's nappies and in relation to the care of pets. Children are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop gross motor skills as they use equipment in the childminder's garden. On rainy days the childminder uses a 'keep moving' DVD which encourages children to copy movements. Consequently they enjoy skipping around the room with the childminder and learning to tip toe quietly. Children are occasionally taken on visits to a small soft play area where they can play in a ball pool and use a slide and climbing equipment. Children get regular exercise as they walk short distances through the woods, to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire because the childminder displays an evacuation plan and talks to them about the procedures. In addition, smoke alarms are tested weekly. Fire safety is enhanced because the childminder has requested a fire service visit to her home and has implemented their recommendations to fit extra smoke alarms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept secure within the premises because the childminder ensures the front door is kept locked and the keys easily accessible. A safety gate is used in the hallway to prevent children accessing the upstairs rooms and the kitchen. However, cleaning substances are stored in a low cupboard in the downstairs cloakroom which presents a hazard to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of age appropriate and well maintained play equipment. Consequently, children develop good independence as they choose their own resources from the play room. The pet dogs are friendly although safety gates are used to keep them separate from the children. This means children's play is not disrupted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder talks to children about road safety and encourages them to stop, look, and listen before crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, and all necessary documentation is in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Communication with children is very good. The childminder consistently enters into conversation with the children, for example, about events in their own lives and things that interest them. On arrival at the childminder's home all children find their name card and post it in a box before they take off their shoes and hang up their coats. This helps younger children to recognise their name and letters of the alphabet. Children enjoy listening to stories which they have chosen on visits to the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder lets children take the lead within their play. Consequently, they show very good self confidence when asking for favourite resources such as music tapes. The childminder

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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 sits on the floor, engages in children's play and shows great interest in what they are doing. As a result, children concentrate very well and persist at tasks such as completing puzzles for long periods.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a wide range of experiences. They go on regular outings to a toddler group, the park, library, and river to feed the ducks. Photographs show evidence of visits to places such as the beach, farms, and playing on water slides in the childminder's garden. Activities include making tents, dressing up, painting, play dough and cooking. Older children like playing with the dolls house, Lego and board games. The childminder helps children learn to spell words set by their school, and also helps older children with their home work. She supports younger children with learning to operate simple programmes on the computer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and at ease because the childminder has a very relaxed and caring approach, and gives careful consideration to meeting children's individual needs. Babies are settled because they are fully included. For example, they love sitting in a spinning activity centre without being held, and therefore feel a part of what the other children are doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because they are always occupied, know what is expected and feel secure and happy in a stable environment. They learn to take turns and be patient, and are praised by the childminder for good behaviour and co-operation, for example, when helping to tidy up resources. If there are any minor incidents children learn to understand what they have done wrong and are reminded they have to treat each other kindly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder chooses and reads books such as 'where we live' and 'Diwali' to help children learn about differences. She is not currently looking after children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, if concerned about a child's development, she is confident about how to approach parents and work with them to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder establishes with parents. This is because they see the childminder and parents working together for their benefit. Parents are given copies of all the written policies and procedures. In addition, the childminder completes a daily diary for all children, which includes information about their day and well-being. Parents are offered regular review meetings to discuss their child's care and any issues or concerns, when children are not present.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is well organised and children have access to a play room which is set up in an attractive and welcoming way. Their art work is displayed in this area, which means they can look at what they have made and feel proud of their achievements. The childminder provides a flexible structure to the children's day which includes a quiet time reading stories before parents arrive. This means that children are calm and relaxed when they are collected.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised and includes children's details as well as all necessary parental consent. The childminder uses childcare magazines as a resource for new ideas to introduce into her childminding. For example, providing household items that can be used for making music and activities to help children learn about Autumn. This means children are

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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 provided with stimulating and varied experiences. A good range of written policies and procedures identify the childminder's positive aims for the care of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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. 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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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): • make cleaning substances inaccessible

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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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