Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358054 Unique Reference Number 18 June 2008 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 parents and brother and sister aged 18 years and 15 years in Elstead, Surrey. Children have access to the ground floor only, which includes a sitting room, playroom, and kitchen/breakfast room, and downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and is currently minding six children under eight years, all of whom attend part-time. When working with an assistant, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder provides support for children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The family have one dog and four cats.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder provides children with healthy homecooked meals that always include fresh fruit at snack times. Drinking water is made easily accessible. The childminder talks to parents and offers advise about nutrition, as well as suggesting ways to encourage children to eat at mealtimes. Consequently, children receive a well balanced diet, and any difficulties are overcome.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, there is a clear sick child policy in place which is shared with parents, and the childminder displays a poster near to the cloakroom sink which reminds children to wash their hands. The childminder is in the process of updating her first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good variety of physical play opportunities because the childminder makes good use of 'boogy baby' music and dancing sessions, as well as several soft play facilities. They develop confidence with using large equipment, such as swings and slides, during regular visits to the nearby park. The childminder says children enjoy climbing up rope netting, and sitting inside pretend wooden trains.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe within the home. This is because the childminder has taken all necessary action to reduce hazards. For example, older children know they are not allowed to play on the patio area or the trampoline. All necessary fire safety equipment is in place and is in working order. Children are kept safe on outings, because the childminder uses appropriate car seats, and ensures children hold onto the buggy, unless they are in a safe area. Wrist straps are used when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very good range of well maintained and age appropriate play equipment, which is attractively displayed in the play room. The childminder gives careful consideration to the variety of toys she provides to ensure they have sufficient variety. In addition, she reviews and improves the equipment available for children's sleeptimes. This means their individual needs are well met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded, because the childminder has a secure knowledge of different types of abuse and child protection procedures. There is a system in place to record any concerns or existing injuries, although parents do not always sign these entries. In addition, current child protection guidance is not available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun because the childminder dedicates her time to involving herself within their play. This is evident as younger children enjoy using the musical instruments and response toys and balls which are made easily accessible on the playroom floor. Children develop independence through choosing their own toys which are made easily accessible. The childminder says they enjoy her joining in their imaginative play.

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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 Children are provided with a very good range of experiences. For example, they go swimming, to soft play facilities, paint pottery, and on outings to the park and to feed the ducks. The childminder ensures that young children notice things during the outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a wide range of creative activities, such as painting, cooking, sticking and making playdough. Younger children develop their senses as they have regular opportunities to play with water, and handle and explore cornflour, play dough and mashed potato. In good weather, the childminder takes resources and activities into her garden. She says that children love dancing to music and playing outside.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children who attend after school like going to the local common, and talking to the childminder and other children about their own experiences. They concentrate well and are very focused within their play because the childminder provides favourite resources. She has a good knowledge of what children like to do, for example, older children like helping with the younger children, listening to stories and drawing. When reading books, the childminder extends children's learning by asking questions that encourage children to identify number and say what they understand about the story.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very relaxed, happy, and settled. This is because the childminder is dedicated to meeting their individual needs, says she really enjoys looking after them, and has a good knowledge of how each child 'ticks'. Children make progress, because the childminder talks to parents about the aims for children's development, and takes appropriate action herself. For example, she helps children learn to crawl by regularly putting them on their front and encouraging them to move around. The childminder shows parents lots of photographs, which keeps them well informed about their children's activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties benefit greatly from the ongoing information that is shared between the childminder and parents, and the time spent reflecting on children's achievements. The childminder involves children in the handover with parents at the end of each day, by encouraging them to remember and say what they have done. This means children feel fully included. Children's individual needs are well known by the childminder because she gives them lots of one to one attention through special activities, such as swimming. Star charts are used to help children achieve routine tasks, such as toilet training, and consequently they make good progress in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks about children's behaviour in a very positive way and says that the children 'are usually very loving and caring'. She has a confident and consistent approach to managing challenging behaviour, which includes removing children from the situation, and withdrawing favourite activities for that day. Children are helped to understand how to behave because the childminder uses flash cards as well as simple visual signals that encourage children to maintain eye contact. Not all significant incidents of behaviour have been recorded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about differences through activities, such as making Diwali lamps from salt dough, lotus flowers for Buddhist celebrations, and trying food from different cultures. There is a welcome poster on the door to the playroom in different languages, as well as some resources, such as books and dolls that reflect positive images. However, these are not sufficiently varied and do not include disability.

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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. The environment is very well organised and a wide variety of play equipment is made easily accessible in the playroom. The childminder rotates the toys so that children 'don't get bored'. She is very thoughtful about what she wants to achieve for the care of the children, and is committed to providing them with a wide range of experiences. Consequently, children are well occupied and enjoy being with the childminder.

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Organisation

Record keeping systems are well organised and most necessary details are recorded. There is a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures which are shared with parents, which means they are kept well informed about the service. The childminder is currently completing a diploma in home based childcare and has used additional knowledge to further review and improve her documentation. 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: First Inspection since 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. 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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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): • obtain current child protection guidance and ensure parents sign records of any existing injuries • keep a written record of all significant incidents of children's behaviour • provide a wider range of resources that reflect positive images of differences, including disability

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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 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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