Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235263 Unique Reference Number 13 May 2008 Inspection date Hazel Farrant 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and two years old in a residential area close to Sheerwater, Woking in Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house is use and an upstairs bedroom is used for sleeping purposes. There is an enclosed secure garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two of whom are aged 22 months and one is aged five years. The childminder collects children from local schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has recently completed a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to fresh air and exercise through playing in the well resourced garden and by going on outings to local play parks. Children particularly like playing on the small slide and

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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 giggle with delight when they reach the top of the steps. All of the required documentation to record the administration of first aid and medication is in place. The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate; therefore she is able to protect the health of children in her care. The childminder has most parental consents in place, however she does not have written consent to administer pain relief in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as a result of some of the procedures followed by the childminder. These include washing hands after playing outside and before eating. Children learn about good hygiene procedures through reminders from the childminder, for example, asking them if they have remembered to wash their hands before eating. The childminder ensures she uses disposable gloves when changing nappies. However the changing mat is not cleansed after each use which means cross contamination can occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Presently parents provide all the children’s meals, the childminder ensures she stores and reheats foods appropriately. Children are safely secured in highchairs positioned at the dining table. The childminder sits with them and offers them help and assistance in feeding themselves. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day and drinks are topped up as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a home that is warm and welcoming, having room to move freely and choose toys and equipment that is easily accessible. The children make choices from a range of suitable and safe toys including interactive toys, construction bricks and art and craft materials. The children remain occupied and interested as the childminder provides a variety for children by rotating the toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept satisfactorily safe because the childminder has most of the required safety features available. However, the small drop from the patio to the pathway is causing children to fall over and an outside drain cover is broken. Children enjoy playing in the garden, the childminder protects them from the sun by ensuring they wear sun hats and sun block during hot weather. The garden has secure boundaries in place, however on the day of the inspection the gate was not fully secure, therefore children’s safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is fully aware of signs and symptoms of child abuse and is confident of the action to take should an issue arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. They have access to a variety of activities that are appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder offers lots of individual support to toddlers. She enhances their play with direct involvement while encouraging them to explore and investigate for themselves. The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their attention spans. She encourages the children to sit on the floor next to her while they play with the construction bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As the toddlers play in the garden they are aware of the different sounds and point up to the roof of the house and say ‘birdie’ as the birds are singing. The children self select activities from a range of interesting toys, one child chooses to play with the wooden toolkit whilst

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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 another pulls along a toy and manoeuvres it around the furniture. The childminder recognises signs of tiredness which leads to frustration when the children are having a dispute over a favourite toy. She encourages the children to share and finds another toy to distract them. After a short period of time the children soon settle down and happily continue to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect and given choices helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a sound awareness of equality of opportunity and ensures children have access to resources that reflect positive images of diversity. Children benefit from the childminder's positive behaviour management and verbally explains her policy with parents. Children learn about right from wrong as the childminder explains carefully about sharing toys and not taking them from other children. She offers lots of praise when the toy is given back. Children are well behaved and respond positively to the praise and encouragement given by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder verbally discusses her procedures with the parents and written contracts are reviewed regularly. Parents are given a copy of her policies, which includes a complaints procedure should they have any concerns about the service that is provided. Most parental consents are in place and are included in each individual child’s information folder. The childminder keeps parents informed about their child’s day through chatting at the end of the day and through the use of diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy in a child friendly and caring environment. They are relaxed, settled and benefit from an organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and close relationships are fostered. The childminder displays her certificate of registration in the lounge so that it is easily viewed by parents. The childminder has attended training, such as the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare. Most of the required documentation is in place. The childminder keeps a record of children’s attendance which is signed by parents in order to provide evidence of their agreement of the time their child was in the childminder's care. All members of the household are in receipt of a current police check. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to inform Ofsted about any changes to the members of the household over the age of sixteen years old at the last inspection. The childminder has addressed this and has ensured that all necessary checks are completed. She was also asked to ensure that the smoke alarms are kept in good working order and all cleaning substances are made inaccessible to children. Smoke alarms have been replaced and are checked regularly. Cleaning substances are now stored appropriately to promote children's safety. The childminder's knowledge of child protection has improved through further reading. Therefore children's safety is promoted because she is now aware of her duties in order to protect children and the steps she must take should a concern arise.

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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 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 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): • further consolidate documentation by gaining parental consent for emergency pain relief • further promote hygiene by ensure the nappy changing mat is cleansed after each use • ensure the garden gate is secured at all times • ensure step down from the patio is safe for children and replace broken drain cover.

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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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