Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358685 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Amanda May 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. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and two children aged eight and nine in a house in Addlestone, Surrey. The whole of the premises are suitable for childminding, but most childminding activities take place in the downstairs area of the home. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time when working alone and six children under eight when working with another childminder. There are currently five children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent/toddler groups on a regular basis. The family have a cat, rabbit and fish as pets.

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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. The childminder follows effective procedures to protect children from illness and infection. Children take responsibility for their own self-care as they access the toilet facilities independently where possible and use a small step to reach up to the sink to wash their hands. Children use individual coloured towels to dry their hands on, ensuring that the spread of illness and infection is minimised. Babies and toddlers are also well supported through vigorous nappy changing routines. The childminder wears gloves as she changes children's nappies and ensures that the changing mat is cleaned using an anti-bacterial cleaner after each use. Children who sleep at the setting are also well protected through using separate bedding for each child. This ensures that the risk of cross-infection is minimised effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being physical and active as they enjoy visits to local parks and play in the garden. A play house and small climbing frame and slide are available for children to play with outside, whilst babies and toddlers enjoy exploring the ball pool area inside. The childminder encourages children to develop their hand-eye co-ordination has they practise throwing and catching skills eagerly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy and well-balanced meals for the children where required. Children develop their social skills as they eat meals together at the table whilst babies are fed their bottles whilst being cradled in the childminder's arms. This helps children to feel secure and relaxed as they feed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Through thorough and on-going risk assessments the childminder ensures children remain safe, secure and happy whilst they are in her care. Effective procedures are in place to ensure that children understand some safety issues as they are reminded during play about being safe and taking care. Appropriate equipment is in place to discourage children from getting too close to electrical equipment and gates are used to ensure children can not access the kitchen area when hot food is being prepared.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children's safety through ensuring older children play with small toys such as beads and lego up at the table. This provides them with space to concentrate on their activities whilst keeping younger children safe. All children are encouraged to develop their awareness of how they can keep safe in an emergency as they practise fire drills with the childminder every month. Records of these are well maintained and include the details of which children were involved in the practise. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of potential risks and ensures that all relevant equipment, such as smoke alarms and the carbon monoxide detector, are tested monthly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected through the childminder's understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. As she works with a co-minder, procedures are in place to ensure information and concerns are appropriately shared and relevant documentation is in place for the childminder to refer to for further support and advice if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute very well to their development both inside and outside the home. Children choose from a wide range of resources and toys which are stored accessibly. The childminder ensures that toys suitable for babies and toddlers are stored within their reach, whilst toys for older children are stored higher to allow older children to access these whilst keeping younger children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are focussed in their activities and play very well together as they investigate the treasury basket which is provided for them. Children enjoy investigating the household objects and eagerly find things, such as a table tennis bat, which interest them. Children enjoy looking at the different objects and begin to use saucepan lids as musical instruments, enjoying the different sounds that they can make. The childminder demonstrates some awareness of children's stages of development, however, this could be further developed to ensure children are effectively supported and challenged in their next steps in line with the 'Birth to three matters framework'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships within the setting are close. The childminder spends time talking and playing with the children and actively encourages them in their play. Children are provided with a range of play opportunities which include visits to local parks, farms and soft play areas. Children also enjoy different craft activities and looking at books together with their friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and children's individual needs are met through sharing information via daily journals. The childminder has relevant signed consent forms in place from parents to ensure that they are fully aware of different aspects of care the childminder provides. Children benefit from settling in visits when they first attend the setting, allowing them to feel secure and build their confidence before attending the setting permanently. Parents are provided with copies of the childminder's written policies and procedures providing them with a clear understanding of the levels of care and service they can expect from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well supported in their individual needs. The childminder spends time discussing with parents about children's experiences and seeks information about their routines from home. The childminder does not currently care for any children with learning difficulties and disabilities, although actively supports children in their individual struggles. The childminder is aware that some children may develop learning difficulties and disabilities and knows to support these through sharing information with parents and adapting activities whilst ensuring they are achievable and fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour at the setting is good. Children play together very well and are encouraged to share resources with their friends. The childminder resolves disputes between children quickly as she uses distraction techniques effectively. Children are all respected for their differences and the childminder knows the children very well. They are encouraged to develop their awareness of difference as they play with resources such as puzzles, books and small world toys which depict people from different cultures and those who have different needs.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her space very well and children have access to a large play area where they can select their own toys and draw on a low level white board. As the childminder works with a co-minder, she is very aware of the shared policies in place and works closely with her husband to ensure children are well supported and benefit from the care which is jointly provided.

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Organisation

Contracts for children are in place and these are reviewed annually to ensure the service is evaluated and amended where required. The childminder visits local toddler groups and childminder drop-in centres where she develops links with other childminders. This allows her to seek advice and share ideas. Simultaneously, children develop their confidence as they meet new friends and enjoy investigating the different activities on offer.

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Organisation

The childminder has thorough written policies in place which are shared effectively with parents. A written complaints policy explains to parents how she would address any concerns about the service provided. However, this does not currently include information about how parents can view a log of previous complaints on request.

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Organisation

Details of children's personal information is well organised in order to ensure it is kept secure and that confidentiality is maintained at all times. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • develop complaints policy to make clear to parents how they can access the setting's complaints log on request

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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 • develop methods for observing and evaluating children's progress in order for them to be supported in their next stage of learning and development.

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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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