Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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153790 Unique Reference Number 20 March 2008 Inspection date Jacqui Lloyd 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 within Ofsted in 2001 having been previously registered under the Local Authority. She lives with her husband and two children in an end of terraced cottage, in a village location, close to local schools and parks in Holmwood, near Dorking in Surrey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to most of the ground floor with toilet and sleeping facilities provided on the first floor. Children have access to an enclosed shared garden for outdoor play. The family have pets including a dog, stick insects and fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptionally high regard for health and hygiene, and promotes this extremely well in all aspects of her care. She has attended additional training to increase her

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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 knowledge and awareness of health and hygiene issues. For example, she has completed training in Severe Allergy Response, Administering an Epi-Pen, and Diet and Nutrition. These all contribute towards her excellent understanding of how to promote the children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides comprehensive written information for parents regarding childhood illnesses and infection and her sickness policy. This helps to ensure parents are fully informed about the signs and symptoms of illness and therefore recognise the need to exclude children when they are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and enjoy rigorous physical play. For example, children play with large play equipment in the garden and make frequent visits to local parks and indoor soft-play centres. This contributes towards their well-being and enables them to develop muscle strength and co-ordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is extremely vigilant regarding children's hygiene. As a result, children clearly understand the importance of washing their hands after touching the dog, after toileting routines and before eating. Children understand that they must wash their hands thoroughly to 'remove dirt and germs'. When a child is praised for washing their hands well, they reply by saying, 'I know how to do it, because I've been doing it for years.' This demonstrates how excellent hygiene practice is fundamental to the everyday routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very confident about the importance of good hygiene and one of the children even reminds the childminder that there are no more hand-wipes in the kitchen and that she needs to get some more from her stored cupboard ready for lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are extremely well catered for. They have frequent drinks and eat healthy snacks and meals. The childminder has attended specialist training to increase her knowledge of promoting children's dietary needs and food hygiene. Mealtimes are regarded as extremely sociable occasions. The babies and younger children sit at the table with older children and adults, to enable them to develop good habits in using table manners and develop positive attitudes towards healthy eating. The childminder regularly monitors the temperature in the fridge to ensure the safe storage of all foods, and prepares and cooks all food in line with Environmental Health guidelines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well protected from harm as the childminder always supervises the children very closely. She gives safety and security high priority and vigilantly checks the environment for dangers. She carries out stringent and regular checks on toys and resources to ensure they remain safe and suitable for children's use. She ensures children are very familiar with emergency evacuation procedures by carrying out a regular practice with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has highly effective procedures in place to assess the risks within the home and monitors these on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder develops excellent procedures for ensuring the safety and welfare of the children when on outings. For example, children are provided with fluorescent tunics to wear, making them easily identifiable and wristbands that contain the childminder's contact details.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are extremely child centred and provide an inviting and stimulating environment for young children, who are made to feel extremely welcome. A plentiful range of very good

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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 quality toys and resources are available to the children. They are very well organised and easily accessible to the children. This enables children to see what is available and make independent choices about what to play with and follow their own ideas and interests. Children do this with great confidence and enthusiasm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding issues and fully understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. She has increased her knowledge and understanding further by attending relevant training to update her awareness of how to protect children from abuse. This fully promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the childminder's care and benefit greatly from her highly attentive and supportive approach. Children achieve extremely well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of the needs of young children to provide high quality care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children share extremely close relationships with the childminder and are evidently extremely happy in her care. They laugh and giggle as they play together and enjoy listening to and joining in with favourite nursery rhymes and songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are empowered by the childminder as she consistently asks for their thoughts and opinions, and enables them to confidently express how they feel and what they want to do. She listens carefully to them and responds quickly to their comments and requests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A flexible approach to planning and an excellent balance between adult-led and child-led activities allows children to learn at their own pace. The childminder instinctively knows when to guide children's play and when to step back, observe and let children follow their own ideas and interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make excellent progress in all areas of development as the childminder plans and provides interesting and fun activities. The childminder also plans exciting and interesting outings to places such as the British Museum, Sea-life Centre and farms. These provide rich, worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable learning opportunities for children of all ages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes full use of everyday opportunities within the home and skilfully helps children to learn, for example, by encouraging children to count as they climb the stairs and identify shapes and colours using wipe-clean educational posters that are displayed on the walls. Children attempt to trace numbers and letters using non-permanent pens and enjoy this with the support of the childminder. Children become engrossed in a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities, which provide high levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder focuses totally on good behaviour and uses lots of praise and positive language to reinforce good behaviour. This boosts their self-esteem and helps to promote feelings of self worth. The childminder uses excellent strategies to manage

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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 behaviour and has shared her written behaviour management policy with parents. This helps to ensure behaviour is managed in accordance with parents' wishes and consistent boundaries are set.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with total respect and courtesy. As a result, children co-operate extremely well with one another and show total care and respect for their peers and play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is totally dedicated to adapting her care routines and the home environment, wherever necessary, to ensure she can meet all children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is extremely committed to working closely with parents in supporting them in the care and developmental of their children. For example, the childminder seeks feedback from the parents using questionnaires. This enables her to review her practice and ensure she is fully meeting the parents expectations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides detailed and informative written information for parents, regarding children's daily routines. This ensures parents are made fully aware of each child's daily achievements and care routines. This also enables parents to take an active interest and share in their children's daily activities, helping to promote a strong partnership between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder provides an exceptionally professional and well-organised childminding service. She is extremely aware of her role and responsibilities as a childminder and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through the completion of extensive further training.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed NVQ Level 3 training and continues to attend relevant training courses and numerous workshops to develop her knowledge and skills further. This demonstrates her commitment to a high quality practice and her dedication to her role as a qualified early years practitioner. She is constantly reviewing her practice and demonstrates a commitment to the ongoing development of her service.

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Organisation

Children benefit from her commitment, drive and motivation, as she consistently reviews and evaluates her practice in order to provide the highest standards of care. As a result of this, children thrive in her extremely well-organised and relaxed childminding home.

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Organisation

The daily routine is planned meticulously to cater for all children's differing needs. This ensures that children consistently enjoy a busy and varied day which is planned skilfully to meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

Extremely clear, comprehensive and well organised regulatory documents and records are in place. They are detailed, accurate and stored securely, ensuring all personal and sensitive information remains confidential. In addition to the regulatory documentation, the childminder has devised numerous additional written records and policies which contribute towards the safe and effective management of her high quality childminder arrangement.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder stated that she was intending to develop her provision to enable her to better support children with special educational needs. The childminder has addressed this by attending training and developing her service to enable her to meet the varying needs of all children, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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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