Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY294837 Inspection date 23 January 2006 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was first registered in October 2004 and is currently caring for one baby, aged 7 months, for three days per week. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 6, 4, and 2 years, in a three bed-roomed house in Surbiton, Surrey. There are two reception rooms on the ground floor, although the front room is not used for childminding. The three bedrooms and family bathroom are situated on the first floor. There is a large secure garden available for outdoor play. The home is situated within walking distance of Tolworth Broadway shops and various community facilities, such as parks, schools and library. Kingston town centre and the A3 are within short commuting distance.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder minimises the risk to children of cross-infection by practising good hygiene standards. Babies play with toys which are cleaned weekly and only used by themselves. They are provided with their own linen and face towels, and she ensures hygienic nappy changing procedures. The childminder operates a 24 hour exclusion period for contagious infections, which ensures maximum protection to the children. She makes sure that parents are informed, at the earliest opportunity, of any illnesses within her own family. Toddler groups are carefully selected for hygiene standards before children are taken there. The children keep healthy and active because the childminder takes them out in the fresh air daily. During warmer weather, she makes good use of the garden and parks. The regular visits to toddler groups provide good opportunities for babies to socialise, to begin using their gross motor skills, such as crawling, pulling themselves up, and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

using toddler apparatus. She is vigilant in ensuring dietary needs are met. For example, food products are carefully checked to ensure they do not contain specific allergic ingredients; and the daily provision of fresh fruit snacks is encouraging children's fondness for a healthy diet. The childminder records accidents and any administered medication. Her current first aid qualification equips her with sufficient knowledge to respond to minor accidents and emergencies. Whilst babies are able to rest comfortably when the childminder is home, her considerable commitments during the day, such as morning, mid-day, and afternoon school runs; the twice weekly visits to toddler groups; and swimming lessons for her own children, mean that babies' sleep routines are often disrupted. Nevertheless, the well-planned gradual procedure for helping new children to settle in ensures their happy and smooth transition from home to the childminding environment and routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is warm, welcoming, and well equipped with an extensive range of toys and equipment to meet the developing needs of attending children. She regularly supplements and replenishes resources, checks them to ensure they are in working order, and makes sure they are suitably stored. Baby and toddler toys are stored in accessible containers within the main room used for play, and toys containing potentially hazardous small parts are sensibly stored out of the reach of young children. She has fitted a range of safety gadgets to protect children from potential risks. For example, access to the electrical cupboard is prevented by a padlock; electrical sockets are covered; and smoke detectors are installed on both levels. The childminder has had thermostatic controls fitted to radiators, so that children are protected from the risk of scalding: but the one radiator which is not fitted

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with this gadget, due to plumbing regulations, is positioned in the hallway. This therefore presents a possible risk to children. The garden is secured well with

p.3

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 perimeter fencing, but the glass window panes on the shed are unprotected: the possibility of shattering, for example from a ball, cannot be overlooked. The childminder recently updated her knowledge of child protection issues through a certificated home-learning training scheme. Her awareness and understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect are very clear, particularly in relation to how to respond to a child's allegation. However, her knowledge of the procedure, for example to record and report concerns, is less secure, and therefore not sufficiently explained to parents either.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have good opportunities to socialise in community environments, such as toddler groups, which offer a wide variety of different learning experiences. For example, non-mobile babies can roll and sit comfortably in specific designated areas. As they develop, they are able to participate in exciting creative activities; join in music and movement; and listen to group stories. However, young babies are exposed to a busy routine and do not always have much time to play or rest within the home, due to the frequent daily excursions. The childminder is physically demonstrative, and kind and gentle in her approach with babies. She maintains good levels of animated verbal and non-verbal communication with them, to which they respond with smiles, gurgles and consistent eye contact. She supports them in the sitting position, which encourages their natural impulse to reach for, and experiment

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with, the very good variety of toys. The childminder knows the children well and offers them toys that she knows they particularly like, such as those which create musical sounds. She understands their age and stage of development well. During warmer weather the childminder makes good use of the outdoors; the garden is well equipped with a variety of play equipment; and the grass area enables babies and toddlers to explore the natural environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder makes sure that she keeps up to date with the developing routine needs of babies by maintaining good communication with parents. She sends notes home detailing the times and quantities of bottle feeds, consumed food, nappy changes, sleep, what activities they have enjoyed, and any achieved milestones. As a result, parents have a good overview of their child's day and are able to respond accordingly in the evenings. The childminder has used ideas, gained from a recent training workshop, to devise an information pack for parents which explains some of her policies and procedures. Agreements for the care of children have been secured with parents in writing. However, the childminder was not aware of the changes in regulation relating to complaints. Consequently, parents are unaware of the procedure for reporting, or of the childminder's responsibility to, investigate and keep

p.4

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 Babies are introduced to diversity from the outset; toys and books represent some positive images of race, gender, and disability. The childminder is committed to developing her own knowledge and understanding of other cultures, because she wants to be able to introduce children to the religious and traditional beliefs of others. The childminder's knowledge of child development is sound. She has the skill and experience of identifying developmental concerns, which is demonstrated by the support given to a previously minded child. Her close communication with parents, too, indicates that any special needs would be quickly identified. Where necessary, the childminder is prepared to work with any outside agencies to ensure that children's individual needs are met in full.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has devised a written 'behaviour management' policy, which clearly explains the methods she uses. Babies receive regular praise for achievements, and a gentle 'no' to discourage unwanted behaviour. As they develop, she uses 'stickers' to reward positive behaviour, and 'time out' to encourage children to think about the consequences of their actions.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's day is carefully organised, but heavily determined by her own family commitments. The routine needs of minded babies are considered, and accommodated within the constraints of her busy schedule, but this often means, for example, that babies' sleep needs take place in transit. Nevertheless, the childminder chooses toddler groups which provide suitable resources and sufficient space, so that non-mobile babies can play safely. The home is well organised to meet the needs of young children. For example, toys are accessible, and safety gadgets have been fitted; all notably within a short space of time, as the childminder has only recently moved home. The childminder is committed towards developing her knowledge and skills; she has attended different training courses, and uses her acquired knowledge to improve her practice. Some areas of regulation, though, have been missed within her

p.5

Organisation

organisation of records and documentation. Significant procedures have therefore not been accurately shared with parents. However, the childminder makes sure that documentation, such as first aid and insurance certificates, are valid and that her certificate of registration is displayed during working hours. All required records are in place; entries are well detailed, and where applicable, signed by parents. The childminder understands the need for confidentiality and makes sure that all written records and documentation are stored securely. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop knowledge of the procedure to follow in relation to recording and reporting child protection concerns • make shed windows safe or inaccessible to children • improve partnership with parents by providing information which explains both the procedure for making a complaint, in line with new regulation, and the childminder's responsibilities to record and report concerns in relation to child protection.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6