Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289661 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek 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 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children in a residential area of Stoneleigh, Epsom in Surrey. They are within easy walking distance of the local shops and amenities and there are local parks close by. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under the age of eight years and is currently caring for one child on a part-time basis. All areas of the property are being used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder holds an NNEB qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is clean and comfortable. Children's good health is assured as the childminder follows good hygiene practices, such as, making sure that areas and surfaces used by children are regularly cleaned or disinfected, so reducing the risk of infection. Older children are involved in keeping themselves healthy as they independently access the toilet. They wash their hands and use their own, individual hand towels for drying. Children are provided with

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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 healthy snacks such as a variety of fruit or breadsticks and have regular access to drinking water. The childminder is flexible in her approach to providing main meals for the children and some parents provide the food themselves while others prefer to leave this to the childminder. Children have access to outside play in the fully enclosed garden, where they can climb, swing and play football. Younger children are taken to local soft play areas where they crawl, climb and jump. All children have regular visits to the local parks and play areas, which enhance their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where equipment and resources are in a good condition and are easily accessible. They are protected from any harmful substances, medicines or equipment, by the use of appropriate safety measures such as stair gates, smoke alarms and cupboard locks. The childminder ensures that she has her mobile phone with her at all times, and permission is obtained to take children on outings and to seek emergency treatment or advice. Procedures to evacuate children in an emergency are in place and children practise these at regular intervals. Good records are kept of any accidents or medication administered and these are shared with parents. Children have easy access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources which are changed regularly, enabling them to make choices in a safe environment. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and discusses

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

any concerns which arise with the parents. She knows who to contact for support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a wide range of activities which support learning in all areas, for example, books, construction, cars and small world resources. They ask questions as they play and the childminder responds well, encouraging new vocabulary or helping them to count or recognise colours. Younger children are settled and relaxed and form good relationships with the childminder and the older children. They look forward to collecting the older children from school, so that they can play together. Younger children are gaining in confidence and relate well to adults. They are comfortable in the childminder's company and feel able to approach her to ask for a particular activity or resource. They are often provided with additional opportunities to interact with other children when they attend the soft play areas or meet other childminder's and their children. Older children enjoy cooking, craft activities or playing football

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with respect and their individual needs well met. They are often praised and younger children are gaining in confidence and self-esteem. They settle well and are developing their sense of belonging. They talk with the childminder about their families and friends. Children respond well to the childminder's calm and gentle approach to behaviour management. Any concerns are discussed with parents, although a written record is not kept. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual needs of all children. She obtains information about health, dietary and special needs, from all parents, before children start in her care. The childminder has a positive approach to supporting children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

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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 Partnership with parents is good. They are provided with a full range of policies and procedures that supports the childminder's good practice. They are informed of how to make a complaint and these can be logged appropriately. Close liaison with parents through daily discussion and diaries, ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their wishes, and that they are well informed of their children's routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and happy in the family environment provided. They are well protected and cared for, and their health and safety is assured. They are never left alone with unvetted adults and in the case of an emergency, arrangements are in place for children to be cared for by another registered childminder. The childminder keeps good records, such as a record of accidents, a register and details of any religious or dietary needs, although the register is not always completed as children arrive. Children's personal information and contracts are stored in a confidential manner and are easily accessible. This provides children with good continuity of care, ensures that they feel settled and secure and that their individual needs are well met. Overall, 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 improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that the fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen. The fire blanket is situated in the kitchen and attached, appropriately, to the wall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to maintain an accurate record of children's attendance that reflects the times of arrival and departure. A register is now kept, although it is not always completed as children arrive. This is a recommendation at this inspection.

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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):

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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 • maintain an accurate record of children's attendance that reflects the times of arrival and departure and is completed as children arrive. • ensure that an incident record is in place to record behaviour management or child protection issues.

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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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