Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302674 Inspection date 27 March 2006 Inspector Anne Jacqueline Nicholson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband, two pre-school children and her mother and her father. The family live in a residential area close to Byfleet, Ripley and Weybridge in Surrey. The childminder works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children on her own or a maximum of six children with another childminder. Currently she is co-minding seven children on a full and part-time basis.

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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 The childminder drives to two schools and a nursery to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy going out for walks and going to soft play areas to help develop a healthy body and enjoy some fresh air. They learn about good personal hygiene practices from observing good practice within the home. Older children clean their hands before and after food with verbal prompting. Any accidents or incidents to children receive appropriate treatment as the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Children receive lots of cuddles whilst being treated and then the details are recorded into an accident log. Parents acknowledge these entries with a signature and receive a copy. Children only receive medication with the prior written agreement of the parents. The childminder records any medication she administers, both parents and the childminder sign the entry. Children receive a wide variety of freshly prepared snacks and cooked meals. Preparation of these meals is usually done by the co-childminder who holds a food

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Helping children to be healthy

hygiene and preparation certificates. Children's individual dietary needs are recorded on the contact details and the childminder respects these. They enjoy a variety of healthy meals including cottage pie, fish pies, roast meats, macaroni cheese and plenty of fresh vegetables. Desserts and snacks include yoghurts or fruit with the occasional biscuit or cake for convenience whilst out. Most days children sit at the table with appropriately sized plates and cups or in their highchairs to eat their snacks and lunches. At the end of the week they enjoy helping to prepare finger foods so they can enjoy a picnic in the playroom. Children receive their drinks in appropriate cups and these remain accessible to the them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter into an environment that is clean, tidy and made welcoming by having a good variety of pre-selected resources set out ready on the floor. Space within the house is effectively organised to allow children to move around safely, freely and independently between the resources, in both the lounge and conservatory area. Children enjoy their play in a safe and secure environment where regular visual risk checks ensure potential hazards are meticulously identified and minimised. Children gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They observe safety gates on the kitchen entrance and stairs; they receive clear instructions as to why they cannot enter without an adult. When children go out, to collect from school or the park, they remain secure in a car seat, double buggy or hold the childminders hand. Children receive clear 'Stranger danger' instructions as to why it is important to

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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 stay close to the pushchair and not run off. The childminder has a good understanding of the child protection procedures to follow if there is a concern about a child’s welfare. Children's welfare is given good consideration as the childminder ensures that any pre-existing injuries are noted. Care is also taken to ensure that no unvetted adults have unsupervised access with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children can access a variety of activities both inside and outside of the home. They receive consistent and seamless care from the childminder and her childminding mother. Children develop good relationships with the childminder and happily interact in play with her. They enjoy creating imaginary games and playing with the musical activity centres. Younger children happily cuddle up with the childminder during play. They can easily access a good range of toys and resources from the low shelves and labelled boxes. All children enjoy going out together in double or single buggies, by car or with an individual childminder. They go to soft play centres, to local parks and to feed ducks and swans at the river. Children benefit from the implementation of the Birth to Three Matters framework within the childminding setting. The careful planning ensures that she provides and records observations on a variety of activities and play opportunities to aid their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

developmental progress. Children enjoy both free play and messy activities in the morning and afternoon. Some of the creative activities include sponge painting, mothers day cards and cooking simple cakes. Both older and younger children have areas created so they can play away from each other if needed. Older children can access an enclosed seating area to enjoy some restful time after school, to relax or do activities like puzzles and reading books. When tired babies go to sleep, either in a pushchair in the hall or upstairs in a travel cot, they remain in earshot through the use of a baby monitor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Policies are in place to promote equal opportunities and special needs. Children can access a good variety of resources that promote positive images of other genders. However, resources to promote the wider world, other cultures and special needs are currently more limited. Children enjoy participating in a range of activities that promote special occasions for instance Christmas, Chinese New Year and Mothers day. They learn about their local community whilst enjoying walks to local parks, to the library and to collect from local schools. The childminder provides an inclusive service and seeks information from parents and professionals to support any child attending who has an additional need. Children display good manners, they say please and thank you and show caring

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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 attitudes towards each other. They gain an understanding of the house rules and receive clear and consistent explanations of acceptable behaviour. During play they receive positive verbal and physical praise for any achievements, as well as plenty of support and encouragement to try new activities. During a minor dispute, over the same book, children received verbal support and calm instructions from the childminder on how to share and play co-operatively with each other. Good behaviour management techniques and successful use of distraction encourages them to resolve the conflict themselves by sharing. Parents receive information about their child's day both verbally and in some cases written in a diary. They receive clear written information about the service. These policies and procedures ensure that parents have a clear understanding of what they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

can expect from the childminder. As part of developing her service a questionnaire went to parents to provide written feedback. All parents recorded positive comments and written feedback about the care they and their children receive. Parent receive some information about complaints however it is not up to date.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children arrive to find play resources set up for them to access in both the lounge and conservatory area. The space is effectively organised to ensure that both older and younger children can play safely and with appropriate resources. The children follow a flexible routine that provides familiarity for them as well as helping to support them in settling in quickly and feeling at home. The childminder has a business like approach to her childminding and keeps accurate records, promoting the children's welfare, care and learning. Her registration certificate and training achievements are clearly on display for parents to see. She demonstrates a professional approach to her childminding and with her mother provides a cohesive service for parents. She has comprehensive documentation available for parents. She is committed to developing her skills and is planning to undertake additional training on Birth to Three Matters. The provision meets the

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Organisation

needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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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

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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): • ensure that parents are made aware of the latest procedure for raising complaints. • Increase resources and activities that positively promote the wider world, other countries and special needs.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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