Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360957 Unique Reference Number 07 May 2008 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 and two children, one of whom is school aged, in West Molesey, Surrey. The ground floor and first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The second floor extension is not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for four children and is currently minding two. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age, through well implemented routines and explanations from the childminder. For example, the childminder checks that minded children wash before eating and she explains the importance of being clean. Individual towels are provided for children, to minimise potential cross contamination.

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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 has written parental consent to administer pain and fever relief, if needed. This means that she can act in the best interests of the children if they suddenly become unwell when in her care. The childminder has current training in paediatric first aid and she has written parental consent to seek emergency treatment for children. This ensures that they receive appropriate care in the case of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a healthy, nutritious diet. The excellent menu provided by the childminder is home cooked and includes fruit, vegetables and milk based puddings. A variety of foods are offered, to encourage children to adopt a positive attitude towards trying different items. Drinks are freely available at all times and the childminder reminds minded children to have regular drinks, so they remain well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily opportunities for outdoor play, when they can enjoy the benefits of fresh air and develop their physical skills. The childminder makes use of her garden and visits the local park. If the weather is poor, children have opportunities for physical play indoors. For example, they dance to music or visit a soft play venue.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play on the ground floor of the premises and can sleep undisturbed in a bedroom on the first floor, if required. The childminder does not use the second floor loft extension for minding purposes because she considers it unsuitable. Toys are displayed for children to select and access safely and all resources are maintained in a safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has undertaken a risk assessment of her home and she has identified and removed potential hazards to children. The front door and side gate are locked, to keep the premises secure. Stair gates are positioned at the foot of the stairs and at the kitchen entrance, to prevent children's access. Smoke alarms are fitted to all levels of the house, but the fire blanket has not been fixed to the kitchen wall. Notices are displayed for children's information above the taps in the bathroom, to remind them to safely use the cold water supply.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. She knows the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to take if she has any concerns. She informs parents of her role in her written policy file.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. This is a very strong area for the childminder. The minded children enjoy a nurturing and loving environment in which they flourish. The childminder makes baseline assessments of children and uses these to plan and provide activities that support the next stages in their development effectively. She uses her excellent understanding to support children's learning within their chosen activities, to provide learning experiences that are in context and relevant.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The minded child enjoys a close relationship with the childminder and is settled and confident in her care. The childminder supports play activities, such as imaginative play and 'conversations' with the dolls. She asks the minded children questions to aid and extend their communication and thinking. She uses the learning opportunities presented within play skilfully. For example, she asks about initial sounds during play with a puzzle, and responds to the child asking 'why'

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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 with explanations that are well suited to the child's level of understanding. She asks 'how many have we done' and helps the child to count.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a wealth of activities and anticipates when the minded children might need an alternative. The minded children make choices about what to do next and the childminder supports these choices fully. She observes the minded children closely and successfully predicts when to become involved and when to step back to enable independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder obtains very detailed information from parents before caring for children, so that she has an in depth understanding of their individual needs from the start. This ensures that children settle quickly and develop a sense of belonging almost immediately, because care reflects that provided at home. The childminder has experience of caring for children who have learning difficulties. She helps the minded children to develop a caring attitude by praising them for giving the baby a cuddle and a drink. She talks to the minded children about why we need to be polite, look after each other and the importance of rules for behaviour in a way that the children can understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Praise is used frequently and effectively by the childminder to endorse good behaviour, and she is a positive role model herself. Unwanted behaviour is managed by distraction for younger children and older children are given explanations, to help them understand. Strategies are positive and well suited to the children's stages of development and levels of understanding and the interesting environment keeps the minded children purposefully occupied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents indicate that they are very satisfied with the service provided. The childminder successfully fosters a positive relationship with parents and uses a variety of methods for communication, such as emails, individual diaries, texts and general conversations. Parents learn about what their children have done every day so that they are well informed and the effective two way flow of information supports continuity of care. Parents are provided with copies of the childminder's policies, so that they are fully aware of her procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All required checks on household members are in place, indicating their suitability. The childminder has completed her initial training and she has plans to develop her knowledge by attending further workshops and courses. She shows an excellent understanding of children, which has been developed through her previous employment as a nanny. She limits the number of minded children so that she can provide individual care and attention efficiently.

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Organisation

Regulatory requirements are met and documents relating to the safety, health and welfare of the children are in place. The childminder maintains an accurate register of the times of children's attendance. She provides a detailed and comprehensive range of policies that she has produced herself. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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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

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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 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): • fix the fire blanket appropriately to the kitchen wall

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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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