Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY361651 Unique Reference Number 14 April 2008 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 their two young children in a mid-terrace house in Farnham. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play both to the front and rear of the house. The family have four pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, one of whom only attends after school and during holidays. The childminder takes children to local schools, nurseries and parks and to a local carer and toddler group. She holds a Level 3 early years qualification.

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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. Children play in premises that are well maintained, clean and light. The childminder adapts her plans for the day according to children's energy levels, and babies and toddlers maintain their home routines around sleeps and feeds. This ensures they are able to cope well with their activities. Children have daily opportunities for exercise. They access large fixed play equipment in the garden, including a slide, climbing frame and swings. They use the nearby green for games, visit parks, forest centres and toddler groups. Children often walk to school and enjoy playing in the playground as they wait for the children to come out. This contributes to the children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about hygiene as they wash their hands appropriately and use individual towels to dry their hands on. The childminder shares her written sickness procedure with parents which prevents unwell children from attending. This helps to protect the children from cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy their food and develop likes and dislikes as the childminder encourages them to extend the range of foods they eat. She liaises closely with parents about children's diets, and seeks information about any allergies. Children have healthy snacks, such as fruit. The childminder prepares small portions of food for toddlers from fresh ingredients and freezes them, reheating them as necessary. This ensures children have healthy meals without the childminder spending too much time in preparation when the children are present. Children usually have access to their drinks at all times. This ensures children are well nourished and hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are met well. The childminder records minor accidents and is able to treat them appropriately because she has a current first aid certificate. She agrees emergency procedures with parents. Medication is administered according to parents' instructions and full records are in place, appropriately signed by all parties. This provides good continuity of care and supports the children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely because the childminder risk assesses the premises. Children are prevented from reaching less safe areas, such as the stairs, through the use of safety gates. The garden is secure, and enclosed with high fencing. However, small areas of trellis present climbing opportunities for children that are not suitable. Children use a wide range of toys and equipment that are in good condition. They safely and confidently select toys from boxes on the floor or low storage units.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to stay safe. On the way to school younger children sit in or hold onto the buggy. Children know to stay in sight as they play in the park. Children enjoy suitable challenges as they climb on apparatus in the garden, park, indoor play gym or forest activity centre. Toddlers develop control as they use wheeled toys or climb on smaller equipment at their toddler groups. This helps children learn to identify and manage suitable risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive protection from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder shares her written policy with parents and uses the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Her policy

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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 contains contact numbers for immediately reporting concerns. She records any existing injuries children arrive with, and shares this record with parents. This safeguards the children.

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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 well to their development inside and outside the home. They are happy and settle well on arrival, keenly joining in with the activities. Children have friendly relationships with the childminder and each other, and play together well. They find the resources available stimulating and confidently access them independently from the low storage units. Children enjoy the close support of the childminder as they do puzzles. She encourages them to persist if they become distracted. They balance bricks and explore shapes as they build castles, showing delight as they fall down, whereupon they rebuild them. Children find their favourite cars to race across the floor, laughing as they play together. They anticipate getting out the tunnel and tent with pleasure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy outings to toddler groups, the park, forest centre and play gym, or to visit friends. Children attending after school enjoy role play activities as they make up plays, drawing and writing. The childminder supports children as they do their homework, such as reading or writing. This supports children's learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to some resources that reflect diversity, such as puzzles, dolls and books. They have frequent outings into the community where they socialise with others, for example, at toddler group. However, there are no resources to reflect positive images of disability to further develop children's awareness of similarities and differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the very good relationships the childminder establishes with their parents. The childminder seeks information about children's individual care requirements and home routines during introductory meetings and through the completion of contracts, child detail and consent forms. Parents find the level of care to be outstanding and feel that the feedback they receive is exemplary. The childminder provides parents with a portfolio, which contains written information about her provision, such as her policies and procedures. Parents have access to all records, such as their child's individual daily diary, the register, accident and medication records. The childminder seeks written feedback from parents and acts immediately on any suggestions they make. This develops an excellent partnership which supports the children's care well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show a sense of belonging. They immediately feel welcome on arrival and are pleased to see each other. Children confidently access the toys and play together well as they move between rooms. The childminder has good strategies for managing children's behaviour. She helps them learn how to take account of each other's needs, such as by sharing and being careful around each other's activities. They learn how to express their feelings verbally as they repeat 'please don't knock down my bricks' at the childminder's suggestion, which elicits a polite response. Children respond well to the childminder's calm and sensitive approach. This helps them to develop appropriate behaviour.

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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. Children benefit from the childminder organising their activities, space and resources well. Children receive good support during their activities, due in part to the childminder having a Level 3 early years qualification and through her carefully maintaining her ratios. The childminder develops and implements written policies and procedures and maintains documentation well. She informs parents about children's progress through daily diaries and verbally at handover. This supports children's safety and welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains close links with other childminders and regularly meets with her childminding mentor. She attends conferences to learn about the Early Years Foundation Stage, in readiness for its implementation in September 2008. This helps her identify areas for development and to continually improve her provision. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • provide resources which reflect positive images of disability • take steps to reduce the risk of children climbing the garden trellis.

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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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