Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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160378 Unique Reference Number 10 December 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 since 1989. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 and 16 years, in Chertsey, Surrey. The ground floor area of the house is used for childminding, and the first floor is available for children who need to sleep. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The family keep tropical fish and a guinea pig as pets. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification and a level 3 and is a member of the childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are provided with nutritious meals which accommodate their individual dietary needs, for example, several of the children currently attending have rice milk. The childminder encourages children to eat healthy food, for example, by disguising vegetables and letting them help her to use a juicer to make fresh apple juice. Children are given regular drinks of water throughout the day.

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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 Children are protected from the risk of cross infection; for example, the childminder has recently attended food hygiene training, and parents are asked to complete a child health form which gives them details about the sick child policy. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in the garden all year round, and use resources such as wheeled toys and stilts. Older children like climbing, and are provided with physical challenges as they use the rope rigging and climbing frames at local parks. Children have regular use slides and tunnels at toddler groups and are occasionally taken to soft play areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in the home; for example, the double doors on the sitting room are kept closed at all times and visitors are asked to use the side entrance to the premises. This means children cannot access the stairs or the front door and are kept safe and secure. Children cannot access the rear section of garden which has potential hazards because the childminder has fitted fencing and a gate which is kept locked. In addition, the childminder has completed a comprehensive written risk assessment of the premises. She reminds children not to run with things in their hands whilst they are in the kitchen. There is a good range of age appropriate and well maintained play equipment. Consequently, children enjoy choosing their own toys, which are easily accessible in boxes in the sitting room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn what to do in the event of a fire, because they take part in three monthly evacuation practices. They are kept safe on outings because the childminder ensures they hold onto the buggy and stay with the childminder in unsafe areas. In addition, the childminder helps children to learn about road safety.

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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. There is a system in place to record any concerns, although not all necessary child protection guidance is available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content. They smile and dance around the kitchen and enjoy using the play dough at a small table which the childminder uses for mealtimes and activities. Photographs show children taking part in a wide range of activities; for example, decorating chocolate Easter eggs, making snowmen, painting with rollers, making Halloween cakes, playing in the sand tray, making aquariums from boxes and dinosaurs from Papier Mache. Children often choose to do painting and gluing activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enjoys providing creative activities, which means that children have a good variety of experiences and don't get bored. There is a good range of play equipment, however, many of the resources are made of plastic and do not help children to develop their senses. During the school holidays the childminder meets up with other childminders and takes children on visits to rare breed farms, on picnics, and to woodland areas where there are manmade grottos and lakes. Older children like using the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to find their own name, and enjoy sticking it onto pictures displayed on the fridge. The childminder encourages them to develop their concentration levels by using song bags and reading stories. She has a good knowledge of what children like to do and

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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 encourages their involvement in activities by playing with the resources herself; for example, she helps them to roll and cut the play dough using a variety of tools. Children benefit from attending a toddler group twice a week which the childminder helps to run, where they take part in group activities, and have good opportunities to socialise with others and make friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a caring and attentive approach towards the children. Consequently, they are relaxed and at ease, and are confident to talk with the childminder about events in their own lives, such as recent parties they have attended. Children develop good independence; for example, the childminder teaches them to put on their coats, and encourages them to wash their hands and brush their teeth. There are resources and books that help children learn about differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and form good relationships with each other. This is because the childminder uses distraction to prevent any incidents, ensures children know the boundaries, and encourages them to share the resources. When children get overexcited she finds calming things for them to do, or takes them into the garden to let off steam. Parents are informed of all behaviour and there is a system in place to record any significant incidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit form the positive relationships which the childminder establishes with parents, because they see friendly interaction and communication. The childminder talks to parents on the phone when needed and uses a daily diary to record information about the children's day, including activities. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/ or disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is very well organised and set up so that children can make maximum use of the downstairs rooms. Consequently they move around freely and choose where to play. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters guidance, and the Foundation Stage curriculum guidance to record details of children's individual progress. Written observations are used to complete developmental reports, which include photographs of children taking part in a wide range of activities and experiences. This means that parents are kept well informed of their children's progress.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised. There is a good range of written policies and procedures which are shared with parents. These include details of the childminders long term aims, such as to making children feel secure and valued, so they grow in confidence and self esteem and take on new challenges. The childminder has six weekly visits from the childminding network assessor, attends additional training, and completes an annual review of her childminding. Consequently children benefit from the childminder consistently evaluating and improving the quality of her care. 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 make parents aware of how to contact Ofsted in case of complaint, and obtain written permission from parents before administering any

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Improvements 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 medication. She has devised a written complaints procedure which is included in the front of children's daily diaries, and includes Ofsted details. In addition, the childminder has sought written parental consent to administer emergency and prescribed medication. This means that parents now receive all necessary information and that risks to children's health have been minimised.

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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): • obtain current child protection documentation such as what to do if your'e worried a child is being abused • improve the range of natural and everyday resources for children to develop their senses

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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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