Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356287 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2008 Inspection date Lisa Jane Cupples 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 children aged three and five years in Woking. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet facilities available on this floor and provision for children to sleep available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family have one cat.

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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 is currently minding three children on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group, the local library and takes the children to local parks. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and are developing good self care skills through daily discussions and routines. Children use soap and individual hand towels to help

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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 prevent the possible spread of infection. Children are protected and enjoy a healthy environment because the childminder implements stringent hygiene procedures. For example, the table in the kitchen and the work surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray before and after each use and the childminder washes her hands before preparing the children's snacks and meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very clear understanding of the procedures to record all accidents that occur on the premises and parents sign to acknowledge that they have been informed, helping to keep children healthy. Parents give written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment and to administer medication, although they do not always sign to acknowledge when medication has been given. Children will receive appropriate treatment if an accident occurs because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid kit is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a nutritious diet because the childminder has a clear understanding of healthy eating. She provides a wide range of fruit for snacks and fresh vegetables for main meals and discusses the needs of each child with the parents in detail and records the information on their registration forms. Children are beginning to understand about healthy eating through daily discussions and talk about which types of food are good for them. Children have access to fresh drinking water on request and the childminder ensures younger children have a drink available at all times, keeping them healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample opportunities to develop their large muscle skills during activities in the garden. They enjoy a wide range of physical activities, such as, playing ball games, riding wheeled toys and trips to the local parks. The childminder ensures the children go outside daily to reap the benefits of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are clean and well maintained providing a secure and healthy environment. Children are able to move freely from the lounge to the play room, developing their self-confidence. They have ample space to participate in an extensive range of activities, independently or in small groups with the childminder. Children have access to an extensive range of suitable equipment and resources, helping to promote their development and learning in all areas. The childminder has organised the space available well to enable the children to access the resources independently, increasing their freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder is vigilant and removes any potential risks to the children. For example, all plug sockets are covered, all cleaning materials are inaccessible to the children and safety gates are used to prevent the children leaving the lounge and play room unsupervised. The children learn to keep themselves safe through daily discussions and routines. For example, they know they must not run in the house. However, children do not practise fire drills regularly to help them become aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection procedures and discusses her responsibilities with the parents before the children attend. The childminder records all existing injuries and asks the parents to sign the entries. Through discussion the childminder was able to demonstrate that she would recognise the possible signs or symptoms of abuse and would contact the relevant agencies to protect the children if concerns were identified.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's very clear understanding of child development. She provides an extensive range of activities that are differentiated extremely effectively to meet the needs of the various children attending. Children benefit greatly from the high quality interaction from the childminder, she plays on the floor at their level, helping and assisting as necessary. She knows when to stand back and let the children’s play develop naturally and provides additional resources to extend and develop the children’s own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is attentive and sensitive to the children's needs. For example, on arrival the childminder explained that the children are sometimes a little wary of strangers and they might take a while to settle. The children did settle extremely quickly and began smiling and laughing as they played with the toys. The childminder is affectionate and the children are at ease in her care because she provides lots of cuddles and holds the children when they want to snuggle in. The childminder is skilled at ensuring the activities reflect the age and stage of the children's understanding. She changes the activities rapidly to reflect the short concentration span of the youngest children, ensuring they gain the most from the activities available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their time with the childminder, laughing and giggling as they play. The childminder provides an extensive range of experiences to promote their development in all areas. Children thrive in this environment because the childminder gets to know them extremely well and introduces new activities and games to reflect their individual interests. For example, many different activities are organised to meet their needs throughout the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and ensures all children have equal access to the resources and activities available. Children benefit from the childminder’s experience as they learn to share and take turns easily. The childminder gently reminds them why it is important to take turns and the children can see the fairness, explaining it is so they can all get to play. Children are beginning to learn to respect each other and are beginning to show consideration for each other, for example, children pass building blocks to each other and help the younger children to stack them. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy which she shares with the parents, helping them to understand that she is an equal opportunities provider. She explains to parents that it means she accepts all children into her care and ensures they are all treated as individuals. Children’s individual needs are met extremely

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well because the childminder takes the time to get to know each child and their families well, this develops a real sense of belonging and the children feel valued when the childminder talks about their family. The childminder finds out about the children’s needs and preferences through detailed discussion with the parents and she records the details on their registration forms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of working with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works closely with all the parents and has a very positive approach to caring for all children. The childminder is happy to liaise with other agencies to fully support the children and their families. Children are developing a strong sense of right and wrong because the childminder has clear rules and boundaries in place. Children’s behaviour is extremely good because they know exactly what is expected of them. The childminder always gives clear explanations aimed at their individual level of understanding. The childminder is a positive role

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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 model and deals with unwanted behaviour calmly and with a relaxed manner, using distraction techniques with skill.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the exceptionally good relationships between the childminder and their parents. Information is shared openly, ensuring everyone is well informed about the children's individual needs. The childminder keeps daily records, which include written information about the children's development, helping the parents to understand how the childminder provides experiences covering a broad expanse of play and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are fully occupied and engaged throughout their time at the setting. The childminder ensures activities are planned in advance and has all the necessary equipment and materials set up nearby to enable the sessions to run smoothly. The children are never left waiting around for something to do.

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Organisation

The childminder is fully aware of the registration requirements and ensures she maintains the correct ratios, helping to protect the children and ensure they are fully supervised and receive good support at all times. If collection time is busy she arranges to telephone the parents if there is something she would like to discuss to ensure the children or other parents do not overhear. Most procedures are implemented effectively and all of the required paperwork is in place. Most of the documentation and records are maintained to a high standard, safeguarding and protecting the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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):

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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 • ensure the parents sign the records to acknowledge the administration of all medication • practise regular fire drills with the children to ensure they know what to do in an emergency.

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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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