Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY351612 Unique Reference Number 30 July 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 three pre-school and school aged children in West Molesey in Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. There is a bedroom available on the first floor for sleeping children, if required. The childminder is registered to care for three children and she is currently caring for two, on a full time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group, takes children to the local library and to the local park. The childminder has a cat and pet rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. For example, the childminder ensures that children use wipes to clean their hands before eating a snack. She provides children with individual towels to minimise potential cross contamination. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication, which ensures children receive

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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 correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder has current training in paediatric first aid and she has obtained written parental consent to seek emergency treatment, if needed. This means that children receive appropriate care if they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is happy to provide meals and snacks, if required. She offers items that minded children enjoy, although this does not always include a selection of healthy items at snack time. She sometimes encourages children to try different foods, in consultation with parents. The childminder takes any allergies into account. Children receive plenty of drinks, especially in warm weather. They can help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty. This helps them to consider their personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy practising their developing physical skills in the garden as they climb on the slide and throw and catch the ball. The childminder ensures that children have sufficient sleep and rest during the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. Toys are displayed for children's selection, which helps to create a welcoming environment. Children move freely around the lounge and into the garden, as they choose. Young children sleep in a bedroom on the first floor, where they can rest undisturbed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has assessed her home for safety and she has taken steps to reduce potential hazards. For example, stair gates are positioned to prevent children accessing the stairs and kitchen area. A finger guard is provided on the lounge door and socket covers are in place. The childminder ensure that children are safe on outings, she uses wrist straps and reins to keep them close by when walking. Children wear wrist straps with the childminder's contact details in case they wander off, as a precaution.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures that she can quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. They play on the equipment, with the sand and in the playhouse. The children investigate the activities independently and with the childminder's support. The childminder extends their play to maintain their interest and to help them develop new skills. For example, she suggests that a minded child could use a softer, smaller ball to practise catching and then involves herself with throwing and catching the ball. The child sustains interest for some time, enjoying the activity and developing new skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to develop their communication skills. She introduces new words to older children and responds to the sounds and gestures made by younger children. She encourages children to develop important social skills, such as sharing and taking turns. The children benefit from a warm relationship with the childminder and they are settled and confident in her care.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are included in all activities and they participate according to their abilities. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs from parents, so that appropriate care is provided. This ensures that children develop a sense of belonging from the start. The childminder has considerable experience of working with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has some resources that reflect diversity, but systems to promote children's understanding are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from praise and encouragement and from some basic ground rules that are consistently applied. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development, help children understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive detailed information about what their children have done during the day. The childminder provides daily diaries for each child that record relevant information and photographs showing the children engaged in activities. This is a valuable record for parents, which enables them to have a good insight into their children's day. Written business agreements are used to ensure that all parties are aware of arrangements. A positive relationship is fostered and the exchange of information promotes continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has undertaken the initial training programme and she has attended further training to keep up to date with current practice and to extend her skills. All required checks on household members are in place, indicating their suitability. The childminder ensures that children are protected from unvetted persons by supervising them at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home to be safe and suitable for minded children. She has developed an extensive range of written policies to underpin her practice. These are shared with parents during their initial meetings with the childminder. The childminder's certificate of registration is displayed prominently with the regulator's contact details, for the benefit of parents. Regulatory requirements are met and documentation relating to the safety, health and welfare of the children is in place and well maintained. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers. A concern was raised regarding working with parents. Ofsted asked the provider to investigate the concern and report back. As a result of the provider’s response an action was set under National Standard 12 to ensure that parental privacy and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The provider responded to this action appropriately and Ofsted took no further action. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • provide a wider selection of healthy options at meals and snack time • provide a wide range of activities and resources that enhance children's understanding of society's diversity

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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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