Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362138 Unique Reference Number 23 April 2008 Inspection date Julia Lynn Freemantle 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 satisfactory. 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 and two children aged one and four in Wood Street Village, near Guildford. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for four children who attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn and develop their personal hygiene skills as the childminder encourages and supports the children well. For example, she helps the children wipe their noses and wash their hands. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to prevent the spread of infection.

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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 The childminder does not currently have a valid first aid certificate, although she has booked onto a course and has a first aid box available. She has a written procedure for sick children and for recording medication, but has not obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is promoted as the childminder ensures that the children have a range of meals and snacks throughout their day. She is flexible in meeting any special dietary needs, including those that take into account the children's likes and dislikes. She is aware of ensuring that children are provided with food that is appropriate to their weaning stage, such as younger children being provided with pureed or mashed food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of drinks throughout their day as they have independent access to their own cups in the main play area. The childminder encourages the children to drink more at meal and snack times. They enjoy a social time with the childminder at snack and meal times as they sit together either in the main play area or in the kitchen. Children are encouraged to feed themselves, however, the childminder gives good support at this time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise as the childminder ensures that the children have daily opportunities for physical play both inside and outside of the home. They regularly visit nearby parks and indoor play centres.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain safe and protected as the childminder has a satisfactory awareness of risks. She uses a variety of safety devices in her home, such as a stair gate to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen. Older children are aware of what to do in the event of a fire, as the childminder discusses emergency evacuation procedures with them. However, she currently has a smoke alarm on the ground floor only.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good play space that the childminder has organised to allow children to use large equipment and toys, such as tents, sit-on and wheeled toys. The main play area is welcoming to children as there are many toys available for them to access independently. Some are stored in a walk-in cupboard but the childminder encourages children to help themselves or point to what they would like to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes steps to protect children on outings. Children wear t-shirts with the childminder's logo on when they are out in the local community, so that they are more visible to her and so that older children may play within her sight as she directly supervises younger children. Children use wrist bands and harnesses when out walking if they are not in a pushchair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and would know what to do if she had concerns about a child. She has a written policy, which she shares with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play freely, they enjoy what they do and try to play with each other. They enjoy playing in the tent, using ride on toys and playing with dolls. Children laugh and giggle as the baby

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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 doll giggles to them. The childminder shows affection to the children when they are upset, such as if they are tired and hungry.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good balance of activities that are based around a good daily routine. The routine takes into account, school drop off and collection, snack and meal times, outdoor play and visits to the local community and local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's individual development needs are met as the childminder feels that it is important to observe the children to see what stage they are at now to enable her to plan their next step.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use a good range of appropriate toys and equipment to support their learning and the childminder interacts well with the children at this time. Children enjoy a wider range of activities when they attend local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about differences in people and of the diverse community we live in as the childminder is positive in her approach. She encourages the children to ask questions and tries to answer them in a way they will understand. Children use a variety of toys and resources that reflect disability. For example, a wheelchair to push a doll or teddy in. Children acknowledge and talk about celebrations and festivals throughout the year as a way of learning more about each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder and their parents talking to each other about what their children have been doing at the childminders and at home. This ensures continuality of care and enables the childminder to try and meet the children's individual needs. Information is shared about the children's day via a daily chat and through daily diaries. Parents are kept informed about the provision through a comprehensive range of policies and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Younger children learn to share toys and behave well as the childminder is consistent in her approach to them. She constantly reminds them to be kind to one another and explains why they should not throw toys or push each other. She encourages the children to show care for each other and they have a cuddle together. The childminder uses an appropriate range of ways of managing behaviour, such as distraction, voice tone, praise and encouragement that is sensitive to the children's age and stage of development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from the way the childminder organises the children's day and week. She ensures that they have a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, opportunities to mix with other children at local groups and from her meeting with other childminders, parents and carers.

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Organisation

She encourages children to develop their self esteem and to become independent in an environment that is child friendly and welcoming.

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Organisation

The range of written policies and procedures available helps to keep parents informed about the provision and protect children. However, some consents are not in place, including written parental consent for outings and for transporting children, and some documentation is not completed fully. The childminder does not currently have a valid first aid certificate.

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as first inspection following registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure a smoke alarm that conforms to BS EN safety standards is available on the first floor • ensure written parental consents are in place, and required documentation is maintained appropriately

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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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