Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313581 Inspection date 03 April 2006 Inspector Elaine Simmons

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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 satisfactory. 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 first registered in September 2005. She lives with her husband and two school aged sons. The house is situated in the village of Smallfield, Surrey, close to local shops and the school. Minding takes place mainly on the ground floor with sleep facilities located on the first floor. There is also an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder currently minds one child aged nine years, she also undertakes holiday cover for other local minders.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy and their well being is protected by the childminders satisfactory standards of hygiene. Her home is clean, tidy and suitably maintained, there is some redecoration in progress. Children's health is further supported by the childminder, who has suitable procedures in place to care for sick children and for the recording of accidents and any medication administered. However, permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has not been obtained from parents and consequently this could impact on children's well being. Children walk to and from school with the childminder as part of the daily routine and this helps to promote their physical health. Children benefit from the healthy and nutritious snacks and meals provided by the childminder. She is willing to provide a varied range of suitable meals and snacks for children, or will ensure children are given the food provided by

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Helping children to be healthy

their parents at the appropriate time. Children are offered regular drinks during the day, by the childminder, to prevent dehydration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and secure, homely environment where children feel happy and settled. She organises her home so that children can play freely and safely. For example she moves her large coffee table into the computer/ playroom to give them extra space in the lounge. Children have access to a varied range of equipment and some art and craft resources to suit their needs and ages. The childminder has good safety procedures in place, she gives children, attentive and constant supervision, both inside and outside the home. A risk assessment is completed before children arrive to ensure children's well being is safeguarded. Children are further protected because the childminder understands the signs and symptoms of abuse and has a clear understanding of child protection requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a varied range of activities suitable for their ages. The childminder enables children to successfully participate in these activities, as she helps them with drawing and by reading stories to them. She gives younger children time to join in the story process, by encouraging them to point to the characters as she names them. The childminder encourages older children to play with the younger children helping them in their imaginative play. For example as they all play together, the older children help the younger child to put a doll in a back pack and to put it on.

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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 Consequently this helps to foster children's understanding of how to care and help one another. Children have opportunities to help with the daily routines, for example by going shopping with the childminder to the local shops. They also benefit and enjoy physical activities while playing on the apparatus at the park. The children are able to watch suitable television programmes after school and occasionally during the childminding day. This gives them enjoyment and to helps them to relax after a busy school day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats the children as individuals and meets their needs accordingly. For example she is willing to offer care for children while their regular childminder is on holiday. Children can easily and independently access resources and are provided with sufficient toys, by the childminder. They are suitable for both genders and for their ages and stages of development. The childminder has her own basic equal opportunity statement which is written on a leaflet, that also contains information about her, behaviour management policy, daily routine and the type of childminding service she is offering. This she shares with parents. However, she has not given parents details of her complaints procedure or Ofsted's contact details. Parents are encouraged to exchange information about their child's likes and dislikes, to enable the childminder to provide appropriate care for their children. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

benefit from the childminders first hand understanding of special needs. She is willing to work with parents and other professionals to provide children with the care they require. Children behave well because the childminder has a calm and patient manner. She has good behaviour management skills and uses distraction, explanation and has a time out system for older children to help them behave appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminders secure and homely environment. She provides good supervision, and stays with the children at all times. She provides sufficient resources to meet their individual needs and adapts her home so that children can move freely and safely. The childminder has completed the required childminding training to enable her to provide children and parents with the type of childminding care they require. Generally documentation is up to date and in order. However, she has not obtained written permission from parents for children to travel in a vehicle, or to go on outings, which does not meet with the requirements of the National Standards. The childminder obtains ample personal details about the children and these are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 Not applicable

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure parents written permission is sought to obtain emergency medical treatment or advice :for routine outings and travel in a vehicle : also that parents are informed of Ofsted contact details and the complaints procedure.

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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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