Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229840 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2005 Inspection date Nicola Robinson 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and their child aged 5 years. They live in a terraced house in Egham. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor only of the house is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have goldfish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a valid first aid qualification and attends the local carer and toddler group. She is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one-time and is currently minding 3 children aged between 7 months and 3 years, who all attend on a part-time basis.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Regular visits to the local parks and garden activities such as riding on wheeled toys, bouncing on the mini trampoline and swinging on the swings improves children's physical skills and helps them to develop control of their bodies. There is ample space for babies to develop their crawling skills and they experience physical activities such as push-along toys and door bouncers to encourage vigorous play. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Nutritious food provided by the childminder such as fresh fruit and freshly cooked hot dinners promotes good health. The childminder discusses and records individual parental wishes and children's dietary needs to ensure she meets the needs of the individual children. Older children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet by growing their own vegetables in the garden, going on outings with the childminder to pick vegetables from the local farm and by being able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day. Babies are developing increasing independence in feeding themselves as the childminder encourages them to hold their own bottles and provides finger foods. Children are encouraged to use good manners whilst eating and good social interaction is fostered as the children sit at the table and eat together. Babies are held by the childminder whilst bottle feeding which enables them to relax

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted by suitable procedures when they are unwell and daily routines to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. Children are developing an understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene by being encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Documentation is in place to record accidents and medication and these are shared with parents. However, parents do not currently give their consents in writing prior to the childminder administering medication to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is well designed, welcoming to children and in a good state of repair and decoration. This enables the children to explore and play freely which develops their confidence and independence. Good security precautions contribute to child safety. The children are learning about the importance of staying safe as the childminder discusses road safety with them and ensures fire evacuation procedures are practised. The childminder has taken most steps to minimise any risks to children, however electrical sockets on the extension leads have not been covered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to access a range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Older children are able to independently access toys from storage boxes in the living room. Babies and younger children are given opportunities to make choices of objects to investigate which are rotated on a regular basis. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition.

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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 Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home and she has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. The relevant insurance cover and first aid qualifications have been obtained. However written permission from parents for children to go on outings, to be transported in a vehicle or for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is not currently in place to ensure children's welfare is maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and secure in their relationship with the childminder. The childminder finds out about children's needs and interests before they attend. This helps them to settle well and benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines. The children receive lots of cuddles and meaningful praise, which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent. The childminder develops bonds with the children and reassures them when meeting visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from walks and regular outings to the park and other amenities such as the local farm, which promotes their learning and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They have opportunities to mix with other children through toddler groups and visits to other childminders, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in activities which allow them opportunities to play and learn independently. Older children enjoy working with a varied range of creative materials, such as drawing, sticking and playdough. This helps them express their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. They have opportunities for cooking, outdoor play, toys and games that are interesting and suitable to the children's age and stage of development. Babies spend their time purposefully. They have opportunities to make choices of objects to investigate and they explore these with interest. They are developing communication skills as the childminder talks to them as they play, and are becoming creative through exploration and discovery, using interactive toys to experiment with sound and movement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They benefit from the childminder building good partnerships with the parents and adhering to their wishes and the children's daily routines. All parents are kept informed of their children’s experiences through a verbal exchange of information. However, daily events and activities for babies and younger children are not currently recorded. This would enable parents to gain a clearer record of the children's care and development during their time spent with the childminder. The childminder has developed some written policies and procedures for parents to inform them of the main aspects of her business.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children is actively promoted as they are treated with equal concern. Children's achievements are recognised and praised

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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 which builds their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has realistic expectations and acts as a good role model, which encourages the children to behave well and feel secure in their environment. The children respond very well to the childminder's clear and consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour such as sharing. The children are generally well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase the children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn to develop a positive attitude towards others through regular outings and having access to a range of play resources such as play figures, dolls and books which show positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. They learn about cultures other than their own through planned activities celebrating festivals such as Diwali and Easter.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease through the well organised environment. The day is organised to give children the opportunity to experience a range of both indoor and outdoor activities, and they have regular opportunities to relax as well as be active within the daily routine. The areas used for play are generally safe and welcoming. There is sufficient space to allow children to play freely, most resources are stored to develop independence and good adult interaction enables the children to be confident and self-assured. The childminder organises time sufficiently well to meet the needs of the children she is caring for.

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Organisation

Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are well supported. The policies and procedures that have been put into practice are used effectively and are shared with parents to inform them about the service being offered. However, the childminder has not yet developed a written complaints procedure for parents to view. All documentation is stored appropriately and well maintained in order to safeguard the children's welfare and care. There is currently one minor weakness in the attendance register, as full names of children are not recorded and it is not signed by parents. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection highlighted 3 recommendations. Firstly, to consider completing a child protection course to enable the childminder to gain a greater knowledge and understanding; secondly, to ensure all areas of the kitchen are made safe or inaccessible to children; and thirdly, to ensure medication consent forms are obtained and signed by parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder attended a child protection course in 2004 and now has a secure understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has had a new kitchen fitted since the last inspection and has ensured that all cupboards and drawers containing objects that may be harmful to children are fitted with child locks.

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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 The childminder has now devised a medication book into which she records any medication administered. She informs parents and obtains their signatures after giving medication to record their acknowledgement but does not currently obtain prior written permissions to administer medication.

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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 written permission from parents prior to administering medication to children • make sure that electric sockets on extension leads are fitted with socket covers, and request written permission from parents for children to go on outings, to be transported in a vehicle and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • consider providing written daily feedback for parents with children under two years, to record information such as food intake and nappy changes • ensure full names are recorded in the attendance register and that it is signed by parents, and make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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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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