Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 507291 Inspection date 23 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 order to co-mind with his wife. He lives with his wife and two school aged children in Epsom in 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. He takes children

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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 to the local soft play area, park and other local attractions. The childminder has a rabbit and a pygmy hedgehog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The environment is clean and tidy and children receive good support to develop good personal hygiene. Good daily routines and explanation help children understand that washing hands after visiting the toilet and feeding the rabbit reduces the risk of passing on germs. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means he can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Nutritious snacks help children develop healthy eating habits from a young age. There are effective storage procedures and reheating facilities for the food provided by parents, to prevent spoiling. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and children confidently help themselves. This encourages children to think about their personal needs. Outings to the park and the local soft play centre, where there is large play

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment, give children plenty of opportunity to develop physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for their stage of development. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example, socket covers and stair gates. Regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. The security is very good ensuring children are unable to leave the premises without a suitable adult and children are well protected from unwanted visitors. There are clear procedures for outings that ensure children’s safety. Good fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder has identified escape routes in the event of fire. Regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from their own cots and bedding, located in separate bedrooms, so that they feel secure and develop a sense of ownership, when resting.

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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 Effective child protection procedures promote and safeguard children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and learn from a good, varied range of activities. They take pleasure in making lanterns, using stickers, sequins and shiny shapes, for Chinese New Year. They independently choose from a range of resources that are easily accessible and provide stimulation. Planned activities that celebrate festivals throughout the year encourage the children's understanding of different cultures and develop their creative skills. Children develop their imagination through role play with the dolls. They pretend to feed and dress them and chat enthusiastically as they play. Children confidently talk about their home life and compare it to the childminding provision. Children sing to themselves as they play. The childminder's relationship with the children is very good. The children are comfortable, confident and happy in the childminding home. Activities are planned using the Foundation Stage curriculum and the "Birth to three matters" framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This ensures that the children's play is suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children with respect and uses lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. Children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others. They talk happily about their home life and things that are important to them. There are good systems in place to support children who have special needs. Close liaison with parents ensures all children's needs are well planned for and met. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development, help children understand right from wrong. Children learn important social skills such as sharing and listening to each other. Care diaries and regular verbal feedback ensure continuity of care for all children. A good partnership with parents contributes considerably to children's well-being while at the childminder's home.

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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 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. All documentation required for the safe and effective management of the provision is in place. This contributes to the welfare of the children. However, Criminal Records Bureau checks are not in place for all members of the household over the age of 16 years and the childminder has not completed an introductory childminding course. Younger children make good progress because the childminder co-minds with his wife who has familiarised herself with the "Birth to three matters" framework. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to keep a sufficiently detailed record of significant incidents and share this with parents. The childminder has implemented a record of incidents but has no entries to date. However, maintenance of this document supports the childminder's good practice in caring for the children and contributes to keeping parents informed of their child's day.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • consider undertaking a local authority approved course for childminders in order to develop current knowledge • ensure Criminal Records Bureau checks are in place for all members of the household over the age of 16 years.

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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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