Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 160506 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Nicola Hill

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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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her 2 children, aged 13 and 11, in a semi-detached house in Mytchett. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler group. She holds a valid first aid qualification. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding 3 children, aged between 7 months and 3 years, who all attend on a part-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Walks, regular visits to the local parks and garden activities, such as riding on wheeled toys and playing on the slide and rockers, improve children's physical skills and help them to develop control of their bodies. There is ample space for babies to develop their crawling skills and they experience physical activities, such as push along toys and baby gyms, to encourage vigorous play. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. The childminder shows a good understanding of healthy eating and the children's individual needs. Packed lunches and milk bottles currently provided by the parents are stored appropriately. The childminder discusses and records individual parental wishes and works well with the parents, to ensure she meets the needs of the individual children. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

diet, by taking part in cooking activities, growing their own vegetables in the garden and by being able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day. The childminder supports younger children well and helps to develop their independence, as she encourages them to feed themselves. Children's health is promoted by consistent daily routines, to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. The childminder acts as a good role model and ensures the children gain an understanding of good hygiene practices. For example, they have separate towels and beds; the childminder wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and gives consistent guidance, as she reminds children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious environment, where potential risks are identified and minimised, so that they remain safe and feel confident. Children feel very much part of the family; they have the freedom to move around safely, which encourages independence and self help skills. Good security precautions contribute to child safety. The front door remains locked at all times and children are only released to authorised known carers. The childminder acts as a good role model, ensuring children are learning about the importance of staying safe. She discusses road safety with them when out on walks and has effective procedures in place for emergency evacuation. Children benefit enormously from the exceptional, well organised and vibrant learning environment. The childminder has created a stimulating play area with educational

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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 posters, photographs and displays of children's work. Children benefit from the range of equipment and resources available, which is suitable for the ages of children attending. Children access the majority of their own resources independently, which helps to develop and sustain extremely high levels of independence. The childminder regularly checks the toys, to ensure they are clean and in a good condition. Children are well protected, as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place, to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has the relevant insurance cover, written safety policies and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well nurtured and secure in their relationship with the childminder. The childminder finds out about children's needs and interests before they attend. This helps them to settle well and benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines. The children are comfortable and happy within the home. The childminder is kind and caring and her calm manner helps children to feel confident and at ease. The children receive plenty of praise and encouragement, which also increases their sense of well-being and encourages them to be increasingly independent and self-assured. Children thrive in the exciting range of activities and experiences offered to them. They take part in an excellent range of outings, which extends their learning and development. Children benefit from walks and regular outings to the park and other amenities, such as the library, the Canal Centre and Frimley Lodge, which promotes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their learning and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They have opportunities to mix with other children through playgroups and childminding groups, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers. Children are provided with an excellent range of opportunities, such as music and singing, cooking, art and craft, outdoor play and games. The childminder has resourced the Birth to Three Framework and has started to incorporate this into her practice, to further support babies and young children under the age of three and assist her in observing their progress. Toys and resources are highly stimulating, interesting and suitable to the children's age and stage of development. Children take pleasure in each other's company and have lots of fun. They make excellent progress, as the childminder has a very positive and enthusiastic approach to childcare and to the children's overall development. She is perceptive to children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interests during play and uses good opportunities to challenge their thinking, such as reinforcing sounds when reading a story and pointing out various colours during children's play. The children are beginning to make sense of the world and express their ideas, as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, they paint pasta shapes to make necklaces and explore natural materials when making collages out of leaves and fir cones. Babies spend their time purposefully. They are engrossed in their play, but also watch the older children with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 fascination. They have opportunities to make choices of objects to investigate and they explore these with interest. Their early communication skills are extremely well supported, through high quality adult-child interactions during play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats all children as individuals and with equal concern. They benefit from the childminder's superb partnership with the parents, ensuring their individual needs are fully met. Relationships with parents are friendly and open and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder pays high priority in establishing and securing the links between home and the setting. Parents are well informed of planned activities, which enable them to be involved in the children's learning. The use of daily diaries enables parents to gain a clear record of the children's care and development, during their time spent with the childminder. Parents are very happy with the care provided and find the childminder to be very creative, hard working and conscientious. They comment that their children are happy and secure and are well cared for in a safe and friendly environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's achievements are recognised and praised, which builds their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder praises the children in their artwork and their efforts are displayed around the home. The childminder has realistic expectations and acts as a good role model, which encourages children to behave well. They begin to understand right and wrong though consistent boundaries and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour. Children's understanding of right and wrong increases, as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, such as helping to tidy their toys away. The children are well behaved. Children are becoming more aware of the wider world. They are learning to develop a positive attitude towards others, through regular outings and toys and books that reflect diversity. Children are encouraged to discuss and accept differences. They learn about cultures other than their own, through planned activities such as cooking

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and celebrating festivals such as Chinese New Year.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and ease within the well organised environment. The areas used for play are safe and extremely welcoming, most resources are stored to develop independence and there is plenty of space to allow children to play freely. Good adult interaction enables the children to be confident and self-assured. They benefit greatly from the sharing of information between the childminder and parents. The day is organised to give children the opportunity to experience a range of both indoor and outdoor activities. In addition, they have regular opportunities to relax, as well as be active, within the daily routine. The childminder organises time sufficiently well to meet the needs of the children she is caring for.

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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 Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are well supported. The policies and procedures that have been put into practice are used effectively and are shared with parents, to inform them about the service being offered. The childminder has a range of suitable documentation in place, which enables her to meet the children's needs. However, she does not currently record details of existing injuries when a child arrives at the setting. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder should increase the range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder has since developed her range of resources, to include more books, dolls, small world figures and puzzles. Children have use of dressing up clothes, such as saris, and the childminder has displayed various posters depicting children from different countries and cultural backgrounds. The childminder encourages children to learn about each other and their differences, by talking about the different foods they bring to eat, such as sushi, and providing cooking activities, making items such as samosas. The childminder also encourages children to learn about cultures other than their own through activities celebrating festivals, such as Chinese New Year.

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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):

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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 • further improve documentation in order to safeguard children's welfare and care by ensuring any existing injuries when a child arrives at the setting are recorded

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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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