Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY270279 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

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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 registered in 2003, she lives with her husband and son aged four years. They live in a three bed roomed house situated in a residential area which is situated within close proximity to Sutton town centre and it's wide variety of community amenities. All areas of the home, except the master bedroom, are used for childminding purposes. The family bathroom is located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for two children aged 2 years on a full time basis, and one school aged child occasionally. The childminder is a member of the National

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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 Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are happy, confident and secure because the childminder has created a warm and welcoming environment. She provides a consistent and calm routine which takes a good account of the children's individual sleep needs, which enables them to rest for as long as necessary. The range of indoor and outdoor activities ensures the children keep active; they participate in music and movement, climb indoor and outdoor apparatus, and are able to run around in open spaces during the regular visits to the park. The children are offered water, as apposed to sweetened drinks, and the daily provision of fresh fruit is encouraging their fondness for a healthy diet. The childminder's home is hygienically clean and she is careful to prevent cross-contamination during nappy changing procedures, but the children do not always wash their hands before eating. Most required records and documentation are in place and used to monitor and

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Helping children to be healthy

ensure the children's good health. For example, detailed profiles of their individual needs, such as what comforts them when they are distressed, and whether or not they suffer from any allergies are obtained from parents prior to her caring for them. The accidents are recorded and the information is appropriately shared with the parents, but a record of existing injuries is not maintained, and parents do not consistently sign to acknowledge that medication has been administered. However, full written agreements, for example to seek emergency medical treatment are obtained. The childminder's first aid qualification is up to date and therefore ensures she is equipped to deal with any emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are able to play safely in the childminder's home because good precautions are taken to protect them from potential hazards. Access to the stairs are prevented by child safety gates, electrical sockets are covered, and the garden is secure and well maintained. The childminder consistently reminds children of house rules to protect them from accidents, not jumping on the sofa, and sitting properly on four legs of a chair for example. There is a varied range of good quality toys and play equipment, which are regularly rotated to provide variety. The weekly routine of visits to toddler groups and friends ensures further variety and different play experiences. The childminder uses risk assessment well to ensure children are kept safe whilst out and about in the community, for example, she avoids certain parks during busy times of the year because she recognises the dangers of a child becoming lost.

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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 Toddlers wear wrist straps when they walk, or they are secured in a pushchair. The home is well situated within the community, and the childminder makes good use of the wide range of available facilities for the young children. Fire safety precautions have been carefully considered. The childminder has thought through a procedure for emergency evacuation, which older children are familiar with. Smoke detectors are regularly checked, and there is a fire blanket available in the kitchen, although it is not ideally placed. The childminder understands her responsibilities regarding child protection issues, and she is keen to attend training to ensure she is up to date on current legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well and uses her sound, and developing knowledge of child development to provide a wide range of interesting and stimulating play and learning experiences. She makes good use of the library, which children visit weekly to use the computers and to join in group story times. They visit other childminder's homes and toddler groups where they learn to socialise with larger groups of children. The childminder balances the week to ensure the children spend time in her home too, so that they learn to initiate their own games and use their imagination. For example, a toy box is emptied and becomes a boat, and toddlers concentrate for lengthy periods as they organise furniture and figures in the dolls house and push-a-long cars. The children squeal with delight when the childminder changes her voice tones, and they enthusiastically join in music and movement with her. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities are well adapted to ensure older children and toddlers can participate together; 5 year olds sit to the table to intricately colour in pictures with pens, and toddlers sit at a low table and use crayons. Activities such as baking, painting, and making models are a regular feature and are well related to specific events, Divali and Christmas celebrations for example. The childminder is beginning to plan activities which specifically address the children's developmental and learning needs, for example, she identifies themes, such as the colour red, or talks about sharing the toys provided. She is booked to attend training to develop her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and hopes to acquire the skills and knowledge to extend her current system of recording the children's daily care and activities, to more specific monitoring of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminders friendly, but professional approach with parents and sound knowledge of children's individual needs ensures consistency of care between home and childminding. She has devised many written policies which provide the parents

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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 with details of how she cares for children, for example, behaviour management, and her procedure for settling in new children. However, some aspects have only been agreed verbally, the parents are not provided with enough information about her responsibilities towards child protection, and the procedure for making a complaint does not reflect new legislation. Nevertheless, the daily exchange of information between the adults, both morning and afternoon, and the use of the daily diary ensures they are well informed about the children's care, activities and developmental progress. The childminder has devised a written equal opportunities policy, which is well reflected in her practice. Boys are encouraged to engage in caring routines and associated play, and as a result they sensitively act out familiar parenting roles. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children are aware of disability because books are well chosen from the library and resources such as wheelchairs are included in the dolls house accessories. They are introduced to the differences between cultures and religions through creative activities such as, making Christmas and Divali decorations. Although the childminder has no experience of caring for children with special needs, her sound knowledge and understanding of child development equips her well to recognise developmental concerns, which she is confident about sharing with parents. A recent experience has initiated her interest in learning sign language as an additional method of communication and she is currently investigating training opportunities. The children are developing a good understanding of right and wrong. The childminder kindly, but firmly, reminds them of house rules, and they willingly say sorry for misdemeanours and show each other comfort. A recent bout of biting

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Helping children make a positive contribution

incidents between the toddlers was quickly addressed, and when she noticed that they were beginning to squabble over toys, she planned a topic on 'sharing'. The childminder recently attended specific behaviour management training to enhance her skills, and her pro-active and committed approach to encouraging positive behaviour is very effective. The four boys, aged, 4, 5, and two 2 year-olds played very well together during the inspection.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her day well to meet the children's individual needs. Good use is made of the available space; toddlers can move freely around in the lounge and the children regularly play outdoors. Toys are stored in suitable storage systems so that parts are not muddled, and the provision of both high and low tables supports both the needs of babies/toddlers and older children. The children's welfare, care and learning is promoted and supported through mostly well organised records and documentation, for example, she keeps a register of attendance, a record of accidents and administered medication, and ensures her public liability and first aid certificates are valid. She has devised a number of additional policies and procedures for parents information, such as those relating to health, hygiene and safety, which are being continually improved as her ideas develop. The childminder makes good use of available training opportunities has

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 identified other areas for personal development. She demonstrates a pro-active approach towards improvement. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides. The quality of care is good.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last children act inspection recommended that the childminder should; obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment; devise and practice an emergency evacuation plan; and complete first aid training. Parental consents have been obtained from all parents. The childminder has planned an emergency evacuation procedure and discussed it with older children, she plans to practice it when the attending toddlers are a little older. The childminder completed first aid training which is now valid until July 2007.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • improve partnership with parents by; ensuring that parents always sign to demonstrate their knowledge that medication has been administered; providing parents with up to date information about a childminder's regulatory responsibilities in relation to child protection; devising and implementing a procedure for making a complaint in line with new regulation • maintain a written record of any existing injuries to children, i.e. those sustained outside childminding.

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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 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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