Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131902 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Carol Newman

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult and school aged children in Chessington, Surrey. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently minding five children, some of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the

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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 local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park and other amenities. The childminder has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder offers a clean and tidy environment where children receive the support to develop good personal hygiene. There are effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder ensures the children wash their hands before and after meals and she has a suitable routine in place for nappy changing. Children benefit from individual towels and hairbrushes. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. However, parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is not in place. Parents provide nutritious meals and snacks of fruit and plain biscuits. This helps children develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Fresh drinks are available at all times and children confidently help themselves from suitable containers. This encourages children to think about their personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Toddlers are beginning to develop their own preferences and make choices for themselves. They receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional wellbeing and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. Children enjoy regular physical activities that help to keep them in good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a secure environment where they can move around safely. They use a wide range of good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys are easily accessible and rotated regularly to ensure children remain interested and to provide a welcoming environment for them. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers, safe storage of hazardous materials and a secure outdoor play area. Children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe as they practise fire evacuation procedures. In addition, a fire blanket and smoke alarms are suitably sited to help to protect the children. Regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. There are clear procedures for outings to keep children safe and the childminder regularly checks sleeping children to ensure their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety and wellbeing. The childminder has a very sound knowledge of child protection issues. This

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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 promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities. They use their imagination well as they pretend to have an indoor picnic. The childminder gives first rate support to the children's play by joining in with the make believe and offering additional resources. Young children decide on their own roles and those of others for their role play scenarios. Children eagerly paint their caterpillars and are proud of their achievements. Children express themselves confidently and the childminder encourages language development through careful and clear explanations, reinforcement and the use of new words. Children vigorously explore cooked spaghetti, oats and cornflour "gloop". They compare the textures with the support of the childminder and copy her actions. The childminder presents and supports the children's activities with immense enthusiasm and she greatly enjoys her time with them. She ensures the interests of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children are of paramount importance and she adapts her daily routine to accommodate their requests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play contentedly because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of equal opportunities and how to treat children as individuals. All children are given good attention. They play with a range of resources that reflect positive images of different cultures and disability, such as dolls, puzzles, books, play people, finger puppets and "Around the World" Happyland figures. The childminder also includes other cultures in her activity plans. The childminder does not have experience of caring for children with special needs. However, children thrive through continuity of care and established routines as the childminder consults with parents about their individual needs. Toddlers respond well to distraction and removal from the situation if they take toys from each other. Children demonstrate a good deal of respect for their peers. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management. She adapts her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

strategies for older children. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information about the childminding service. The childminder completes a comprehensive daily diary for young children so that parents are aware of their child's routines and activities. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for all 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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle happily in the childminder's well managed provision. They are cared for according to the written policies and procedures that are shared with parents before childminding commences. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation efficiently. Permission to seek emergency medical treatment has not been sought and some accident and medication records are not confidential. However, the childminder is constantly reviewing her policies and procedures to reflect her experience and developing knowledge. Younger children make good progress because the childminder has familiarised herself with "Birth to three matters" guidance. She has attended additional training in this area. Children receive good support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well. This helps them feel secure and confident. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to improve documentation with regard to;- the implementation of a system to record any incident of physical restraint or significant issues; written agreements with parents regarding activities; written parental consent to take children in the car, to go on local outings and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment; the accurate maintenance of the attendance register; the implementation of a complaints log; obtaining a copy of the area child protection committee procedures. The childminder has improved this documentation so that it meets requirements. A comprehensive policy regarding seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is in place. However, written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice has not been obtained. Effective maintenance of documentation supports the childminder's good practice in caring for the children and contributes to keeping parents informed of their child's

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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 The childminder also agreed to ensure;- a second smoke alarm is fitted in the downstairs area of the home; that a suitable fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen; that gas appliances and fittings conform to safety requirements and do not pose a hazard to children; that low-level glass panels in the back bedroom are safe or inaccessible. The mirror that was accessible after decorating has now been re-hung out of the children's reach. Appliances are regularly checked and the smoke alarm and fire blanket are suitably fitted. This contributes to the protection of children from any identified hazards within the home and from the effects of fire. In addition, the childminder agreed to ensure; children have opportunities to relate to other children and are involved in a broad

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Improvements since the last inspection

range of activities; children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Children enjoy a broad range of well planned activities where they relate to other children, both in the childminder's home and during outdoor activities. The childminder supports the children's play through the provision of a very good range of resources. These include those that reflect positive images of today's diverse society. The childminder uses the Foundation Stage curriculum and the Birth to three matters guidance to inform her planning and includes the celebration of festivals when appropriate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all documentation is confidential, particularly with regard to accident and medication records and that written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is in place.

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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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