Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY310453 Inspection date 23 March 2006 Inspector Anne Jacqueline Nicholson

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 good. 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 registered in 2005. He lives with his wife, who is also a childminder, and his two pre-school aged children. He lives in a residential area within easy driving distance of Ash Vale, Aldershot, Farnborough and Farnham. Childminding occurs on the ground floor. Overnight care is available for two children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently co-minding ten children who attend on both a part-time and full-time basis. The childminder is within walking and driving distance of local schools and takes and

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 collects children from two schools and two nurseries. The childminder regularly attends local parent, toddler and childminding groups. The family has three guinea pigs in an outside hutch. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive care from the childminder or his wife, also a registered childminder. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a range of activities that support their healthy development. They go for walks in the local parks, walks along the canal and participating in musical movement sessions. Children observe good hygiene practices. After cleaning noses the wipes are appropriately disposed of and children wash their hands after the toilet. Children develop an awareness of when they need to rest and the childminder supports this by cuddling overtired toddlers who then, with minimal fuss, lay down on individual sleeping mats in the lounge. Children receive appropriate treatment when hurt as the childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate. The childminder assesses the injury and then provides the appropriate treatment. The accident is clearly recorded and acknowledged with a

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

parental signature. There are comprehensive policies in place to ensure that children do not pass on sickness or receive medication without prior written consent. When children are ill the sickness policy is strictly enforced to protect spread of infection between the nine families who attend during the week. Children receive a variety of home cooked meals throughout the week. The childminder follows a four week timetable of meals and tries to incorporate foods from other cultures and to complement current topics within this. All children sit socially around the table together to discuss the day. Good manners are promoted and children receive encouragement to discuss their food preferences and healthy options.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter into a busy environment with plenty of resources available for them. Space within the house is effectively organised, allowing children to move around safely, freely and independently between play areas and activities. Children can easily access the toys and resources. The environment is routinely checked to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised. Externally, gates are secure to prevent strangers gaining unauthorised access to the garden. Children participate in fire drill practices to develop an awareness of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency. The childminder has fire safety equipment in place. He has requested registration for overnight care and is preparing to fit interconnected smoke detectors to meet the requirements.

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 The childminder ensures that children's welfare comes first and parents receive written information about the process followed if a concern is raised about their children's safety. He has a good basic knowledge of child protection and has child protection booklets to refer to for additional support. Children gain an understanding of how to keep safe and participate in 'Stranger Danger' activities. Whilst out they remain secure in buggies or stay close to the childminder. The childminder has an awareness of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and ensures that any pre-existing injuries are recorded and signed by parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop good relationships with the childminder and happily separate from their parents. They benefit from there being a flexibly implemented routine that ensures they receive a good balance of activities during the week. The routine allows opportunities to play or relax depending on the needs of the children attending that day. Children enjoy a variety of activities both inside and outside the home designed to develop their physical skills. Mornings tend to be social times where children go to meet other children at local parent and toddler and childminding groups. They enjoy walks to the local parks, along the Basingstoke Canal and participating in music and movement sessions. The Birth to Three Matters framework is being implemented to increase the planned learning opportunities for all younger children attending. During the school holidays, children enjoy more adventurous outings like going to the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Natural History museum. Older children receive encouragement to decide for themselves what they would like to do after the formal routine of the school day. The layout of the environment enables both older and younger children to play with appropriate activities without safety being compromised. Children enjoy interacting together whilst doing activities and playing with the train track. When children manage to complete an activity toy they display their pleasure and receive praise and encouragement. The childminder enthusiastically interacts with children during play and provides plenty of positive verbal and physical reinforcement for achievements they make. Children happily select activities from those resources on offer and this, along with the positive praise, helps develop their self-esteem and self-confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children can access a variety of books and resources that promote positive images of the wider world, genders, other cultures and special needs. Written policies promoting equal opportunities and special needs are readily available to parents. Children from several different cultural backgrounds attend the childminders and their individual needs receive appropriate acknowledgement and respect. Recently children participated in the Chinese New Year celebrations in Woking, made Chinese lanterns and are now learning a Chinese song. When children go on holiday, they bring items like postcards from abroad back to share with each other. Those children

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 attending with speech and dietary requirements receive full support to ensure their needs are appropriately met. Parents and childminder work in partnership with each other. Children learn positive behaviour through observing the example set by the childminder and by following simple behaviour rules. There are clear behaviour policies available which are consistently implemented by both childminders. Children receive support and encouragement to attempt activities and plenty of praise and positive reinforcement during them. Currently, distraction techniques and a 'three strike rule' for inappropriate behaviour are in place. If a child receives three warnings the childminder removes them from the activity to sit or just to reflect on what they did where developmentally appropriate. Children explain why they acted in the way they

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

did to understand why it was unacceptable and then apologise before resuming play. Partnership with parents is very good. Children's details are recorded in the contracts and on contact forms. Parents receive written information about their child's day in a day book and verbally at the start and end of the day. Parents regularly receive written and verbal information about their child's day, how it went and what went well. They receive a written prospectus about the service and what they can expect. Documentation is in place to ensure that parents are made aware of the appropriate procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children arrive to eat breakfast or play with the resources set out ready for them. The space is effectively organised to ensure that both older and younger children can play safely and access appropriate resources. Children enjoy the familiarity of the flexible routine followed and this helps them feel at home. They receive good support and encouragement to try new activities and happily share their activity likes and dislikes with the childminder. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The childminder has a professional approach to his childminding and keeps accurate records, promoting the children's welfare, care and learning. His registration certificate is clearly on display for parents to see. Information about the service is shared in writing and verbally to ensure that all parents receive clear and consistent details of the service he provides.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record

p.5

Complaints 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 may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

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 good. 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): • ensure that the requirements for overnight care are met prior to commencement by fitting linked smoke detectors.

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