Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313928 Inspection date 03 May 2006 Inspector Pauline King

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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 outstanding. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in a residential area within the London borough of Surbiton. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms for sleeping are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to local toddler group, shops and to the local parks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 The childminder is a member of Kingston Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, well settled and cared for in an extremely safe, clean and well organised home. Children are very well protected from risk of cross infection because the childminder ensures children understand the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals, through regular discussions children learn about good hygiene practice. The childminder has a two weekly meal planner which she uses to show prospective parents, and children benefit from eating meals which include a wide variety of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and freely available fresh juice or water to drink that ensures their dietary needs are met throughout the day and children's healthy eating habits are well established. Children's health benefits from the childminder recently completing food handling training and she holds a current first aid certificate. Children benefit from an excellent range of activities in the garden and on outings

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Helping children to be healthy

which contributes to their good health, physical skills and enjoyment. Children have very good opportunities to develop control of their bodies and balancing skills. For example children attend toddler group and make regular visits to the local park. Children are confident and happy to try new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help through provision of appropriate activities and good levels of support from the childminder. For example cutting and threading fruit on wooden kebab sticks. Children are very well protected because the childminder keeps excellent, clear and accurate records, for example written permission from parents to administer medication and a written policy on infectious illnesses, which ensures that children's health needs are met and information can be effectively shared with parents. Children benefit from the childminder actively practising Birth to three matters which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe because the childminder implements her own detailed written health and safety policy, which identifies hygiene, food storage and all other safety issues. The childminder ensures that everything potentially dangerous within the home is inaccessible to the children, and she has made the garden a safe environment for them to use. Play equipment is appropriate to the children's age and although the children are extremely well supervised, they also have very good opportunities to develop independence.

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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 The childminder identifies potential hazards such as using a knife to cut fruit and helps children to learn about the safety of younger children so they are not at risk. For example not to point with knifes. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder teaches them about road safety. As a result, children know if they don't hold hands and look and listen when crossing the road, they might be in danger. Children learn about fire safety through regular evacuation practises in the childminders home. For example children called out the childminders name when the smoke alarm was tested which is part of the well organised fire evacuation procedure. This includes a written detailed plan of identified exit routes from the premises. Children's welfare is very well protected because the childminder has a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sound understanding of child protection procedures and has all necessary documentation well organised and in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are occupied and persist at activities for long periods of time because they are extremely interested in using the wide range of play equipment, and are consistently supported by the childminder, who dedicates her time to playing with them throughout the day. Close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children's sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. Children communicate exceptionally well with the childminder and each other for example, when playing with a large floor puzzle. They are extremely confident with suggesting their own ideas for play, because the childminder actively encourages them to make independent choices, and helps them achieve their aims, for example blowing bubbles and singing a song about bubbles. Children have excellent learning opportunities because the childminder shows interest in what children say and do,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and uses every opportunity to extend their learning through conversation and questioning, for example, when making fresh fruit kebabs. Children learn about their environment and the roles of other people through planned activities and outings, such as toddler group, shops and park. They are encouraged to talk about what they like and dislike, for example at snack time the childminder asks them about their favourite food. Children learn about the sounds of letters through spontaneous opportunities and conversation with the childminder. They show great interest in books relating to activity, for example watching a caterpillar grow. In addition, the childminder takes photographs of what the children have made during their play, and uses these to record children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel highly valued because the childminder has clear written objectives which she uses in practice, for example, working in partnership with parents to find out about family routine and supporting children to feel good about themselves. Children learn about differences through the wide range of play equipment, dolls, play people, dressing up cloths and books which reflect positive images that are

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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 easily accessible to children. Children behave very well and learn to play together with a high level of co-operatively because the childminder consistently praises them for their sharing and for their achievements. When children test the boundaries the childminder uses positive reinforcement to which they immediately respond. For example she encourages children to use words to say how they feel, instead of using actions, and tries to help them to learn to negotiate with each other so that they are well equipped to deal with other children's behaviour. Children develop a good awareness of their own feelings, because the childminder reassures them and cuddles them. The childminder follows a weekly routine that is discussed with parents and adapted, to ensure children's individual needs are met. She has a good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

knowledge of how to care for children with special needs. Children benefit from the good communication which the childminder establishes with parents, for example, their individual progress and next steps for learning are regularly discussed and reviewed.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from an exceptionally well organised environment. They feel good about their own achievements because the childminder displays their creative work and has produced portfolios to record these achievements for both children and parents. Children have access to an excellent range of play equipment which the childminder makes easily accessible to them within her home. The whole of the down stairs of the premises is set up in a child orientated way so that it is attractive and welcoming. The garden is also used for a range of activities. This means that the space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. In addition, children benefit from the excellent written activity planning that the childminder uses, which is related to their individual age and stage of development. Children make excellent progress in their development because the childminder keeps regular written

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Organisation

observations of their play and achievements, and uses these observations to plan the next step for their individual learning. Documentation is outstanding, and includes a wide range of written policies and procedures that the childminder has created which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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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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

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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