Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362752 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2008 Inspection date Deborah Jaqueline Newbury 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 aged 11 months and three years in Camberley, Surrey. The home is within walking distance of local schools, parks and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the childminder's house is used for childminding, apart from the main bedroom, with toilet facilities available on both floors of the home. Children sleep in an upstairs bedroom as necessary. There is a fully enclosed 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 overnight care for one child. She is currently minding three children aged nineteen months, four and eight years of age. Children's days and times of attendance vary.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler and childminding groups. Children also regularly go out for walks and visit local parks.

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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. All aspects of children's health are promoted well. The childminder's home is clean, comfortable and well-maintained and she takes positive steps to ensure good standards of hygiene and to protect children from the spread of infection; for instance, through the provision of paper towels to dry hands on and by not wearing outdoor shoes inside the home, particularly as young children sit and play on the floor. Children are supported in developing good personal hygiene practices through normal daily routines and they display understanding of when and why they should wash their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual need. Younger children, who require a nap, do so in warm, comfortable surroundings and they are checked at regular intervals to ensure their safety. Outdoor play forms part of the children's daily routine; whether playing outside in the garden or visiting one of the nearby parks. The childminder walks everywhere with children, thus ensuring that they benefit from lots of fresh air and gain awareness of the importance of exercise as part of a healthy life style.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is happy for parents to provide food for their children although she prefers to do this herself once children are eating a full diet. Children enjoy a varied selection of nutritious and well balanced snacks and home-cooked meals, which helps them begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Food is prepared carefully and stored appropriately - the childminder checks the temperature of her fridge and freezer on a daily basis to ensure they remain at an acceptable level. She keeps a written record of the food she provides and ensures parents are informed about what their children have had to eat. Children do not become dehydrated as their drinks cups remain within easy reach and are re-filled regularly throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are accommodated in a safe and secure home that is arranged to be very welcoming. Displays of children's artwork and educational posters have been put up so they can be easily seen and enjoyed by all. The childminder identifies areas of potential risk and takes positive steps to minimise these through completion of regular risk assessments and the regular checking of equipment within her home, such as the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector to ensure they are fully functional. Good organisation of space and use of appropriate safety features throughout those areas of the home occupied by children means that they can move around freely and safely and thus, develop confidence in their environment. Children have some opportunity to develop their understanding of the action they need to take in the event of the need to evacuate the premises although they practise fire drills infrequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children explore a good selection of age appropriate play equipment and resources that are of a safe and clean condition. Resources are checked and cleaned regularly to ensure that everything is ready for them to use. Good organisation of toys means that children can freely access some items, whilst others, that require adult supervision, are stored out of their reach. The childminder rotates resources which helps keep children's play provision fresh and interesting.

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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 Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and the responsibility placed upon her. She has put together a written statement about this which she shares with parents and she has obtained information relating to the local safeguarding children board procedures to guide her in the action she should take if she has any concerns. The childminder takes suitable precautions to protect children when they are in the presence of persons who have not been vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Good relationships are evident between children and the childminder and between the children themselves. It is clearly evident that the childminder enjoys the company of the children she cares for; there is a lovely, warm atmosphere within the home and children are happy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a varied day with activities and play opportunities both inside and outside the home. These are purposeful and mean that children remain interested and well-occupied whilst having a fun time. The childminder plans different activities each week around a theme. These have regard for different aspects of child development and thus, help children make progress in all areas. For instance, children recall making pizzas during a recent food week and creating a display relating to Under the Sea. They make cards and collages for Father's Day using different media and materials although some of the art activities they participate in are a little too adult directed. This undermines the potential for children to use their imaginations and express their own ideas through free creativity. Children become interested in books as they regularly visit the library, have easy access to a selection of different books at the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder's house and enjoy stories read to them by the minder. The childminder makes sure that all children can see the book she is reading and that they are sat comfortably. By asking questions and encouraging children to finish sentences, she is able to ensure that story time is an interactive session. Children find out about the natural world and become familiar with their local community. They help plant potatoes and tomatoes in the garden and go on outings to farms and a local forest. They enjoy singing songs with the childminder and act out a scenario of going on an aeroplane.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are acknowledged as individuals. The childminder gives good attention to everyone and treats them all with equal concern; she makes no distinction between minded children and her own and helps children understand the need for everyone to have a turn and be included. For example, by explaining to older children that they need to read a story for the baby after she has finished reading the story they have chosen. Children have opportunities to find out about the wider world in which we live as they access resources within the home that reflect positive images of diversity and take part in planned activities that link to their own and other traditions and cultures. The childminder shares relevant books with children and also talks to them and answers their questions about things they may see when they are out and about.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive lots of praise and encouragement which fosters their self- esteem effectively. Each child has a reward chart displayed in the hallway and they receive stickers for things they have done, such as having eaten their lunch or helping to tidy away the toys. These are made more meaningful and help children feel good about themselves because they begin with positive comments; for example 'I am proud of you because ……l' and 'thank you for…..' Children

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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 behave well; minor disputes over sharing and taking turns are quickly and easily resolved by the childminder with the minimum of fuss. They are encouraged to play an active role in the setting by undertaking simple, routine tasks, such as carrying their plates out to the kitchen once they have finished lunch.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the very good working relationships the childminder establishes with their parents. She discusses their individual needs to ensure she is fully aware of everything she needs to know and works with them to identify and agree the next steps in their children's learning and development and how these can be supported. However, parents are not yet contributing formally to the written development records the childminder maintains on children although their input is sought through informal discussion. A daily informal exchange of information is supplemented by monthly newsletters and written communication diaries for all children under the age of eight. These provide parents with a flavour of their children's day and enable them to feel involved. The childminder has put together a nicely worded and comprehensive parent pack which includes information about how children are likely to spend

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their time and detailed written policies and procedures about all aspects of her service. Parents receive their own copy of this pack for their easy, future reference. Written parental consent is obtained for all aspects of children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and very much at ease in a well organised, comfortable home. They benefit from the childminder's good use of space, time and resources to create a child friendly and stimulating environment. Use of consistent routines for some activities adds to children's sense of security and helps them look forward to their day.

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Organisation

Required documentation and other records which promote the health, safety and welfare of children and underpin the efficient management of the setting are in place. Paperwork is very well organised and kept securely. The childminder displays her certificate of registration and other useful information.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed the training courses required of her by Ofsted and has started to take advantage of other available training opportunities to develop her knowledge further. She displays a positive attitude and commitment towards childminding and to her own professional development. For example, she is planning to further update her knowledge of child protection through safeguarding training and has recently issued parents with a satisfaction survey to canvass their views about different aspects of her provision as part of her self-evaluation. Completed questionnaires available for viewing at the time of inspection indicate that parents are very happy with what the childminder is offering.

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Organisation

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 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

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 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 more frequent opportunities for children to practise fire drills • provide greater opportunities for children to use their imaginations and express their own ideas through art activities.

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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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