Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357507 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2008 Inspection date Ann Moss 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and two years in Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with toileting and sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and currently she is caring for one child on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local toddler groups, library and park. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy by being physically active, enjoying outside play in all weathers and travelling regularly to local areas such as the park and toddler group. As a result, children develop their skills of coordination, balance and awareness of space, for example, by riding wheeled toys, bouncing on a netted trampoline and playing ball games.

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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 Children learn about healthy eating and are well nourished by a balanced diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Snacks are a mix of biscuits or fruit. The childminder liaises closely with parents to promote healthy eating and to ensure children's dietary needs are met. Children have access to drinks at all time, and are gently reminded to take refreshments.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in an environment that is clean and well ventilated. They are beginning to learn to protect themselves from germs, for example, by washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. However, a lack of easily accessible equipment, such as a step stool, means younger children's independence is insufficiently promoted. Systems are in place to record medication permission and administration, and any accidents. The childminder has a written sick child policy, which is shared with parents, however, her knowledge related to infectious, notifiable and communicable diseases is less secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in the family room and the conservatory which are made welcoming with a range of good quality, age appropriate toys and resources that are generally stored for ease of access and to promote decision making skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has given some consideration to children's safety and supervises them well. Ongoing visual risk assessments ensure potential hazards are minimised. She uses equipment to promote children's safety indoors and outdoors, such as safety gates, a fire guard, netting and soft floor matting in activity areas to reduce injuries from falls. However, children are at risks as the kitchen door has been removed and, although fire fighting equipment meets with requirements and an emergency evacuation procedure is in place, this has not been discussed with the fire safety officer or practised with the children to ensure it is fully effective.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and shares this with parents through a clearly written statement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder builds close relationships with minded children and offers lots of cuddles and affection. This helps them feel secure and the current minded child is settled and confident in the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language for communication is well supported. The childminder talks to the minded child constantly. She understands the gestures made and puts them into context. For example, she understands when the child needs to use the toilet and when clothes no are longer comfortable. She asks questions and talks about what is happening in every day situations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's imagination is very well supported through a wide range of easily accessible resources, for example, role-play, construction and mark marking materials. The minded child enjoys playing in the garden and shows enthusiasm as they use a good range equipment, which offers challenge, with confidence and control, such as a slide and the netted trampoline. Children have daily opportunity to socialise as they play with the childminder's own children or enjoy outings such as to the park or toddler group. The childminder plans a daily routine which offers a balance of active and quieter times.

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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 satisfactory. Children play happily because the childminder takes into account their individual needs and responds to these positively and with sensitivity such as during toilet training. They learn about similarities and differences as the childminder talks to them about their home lives and experiences, and provides activities and takes children on outings to raise awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has no direct experience of caring for minded children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has a positive attitude towards inclusion and works in partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are identified and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder offers activities to engage children's interests such as construction and role-play. This helps children to consider the needs of others, share and take turns. As a result, children build friendships and behave well. Any minor disputes are dealt with according to children's age and level of maturity, for example, a brief period of 'time out'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship established between parents and childminder. The childminder makes time for a daily exchange of information. She has developed some policies and procedures, which underpin the service provided, which are shared with parents. This helps to provide continuity of care between home and the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All required suitability checks are in place. The childminder ensures that children do not have unsupervised contact with any visitors in the home. She has completed the initial training for childminders and is keen to further develop her knowledge and skills through attending courses and workshops. The childminder organises her home to be welcoming for children and consideration has been given to most aspects of safety, indoors.

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Organisation

Mandatory documentation is in place and the childminder maintains an accurate register of children's attendance. Regulatory requirements are met and the childminder displays her certificate of registration for the benefit of parents. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to meet the following actions: ensure that adults providing care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so, by completing an appropriate vetting procedure which includes completing a CM2 for Ofsted and a criminal record check; and ensure that Ofsted is notified of any significant events.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements in that she has notified Ofsted of significant changes, and adults providing care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them have completed an appropriate vetting procedure which includes completing a CM2 for Ofsted and a criminal record check. These changes to childminding practice help to ensure children's safety and welfare.

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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. 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 develop knowledge relating to infectious, notifiable and communicable diseases • meet any recommendations made by the Fire Safety Officer, with particular reference to the premises' open aspect • ensure the emergency escape plan is carried out periodically.

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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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