Little Star Childcare

Ofsted Report

Inspection report for early years provision

Unique Reference Number	EY343779
Inspection date	18 May 2007
Inspector	Catherine Greenwood

Type of inspection	Childcare
Type of care	Childminding

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.

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.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her two children aged nine and six years, in Ash Vale, Surrey. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for three children aged two-years, one-year and six-months. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have two cats and goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. All children currently attending bring their own food, and parents supply pre-prepared bottles of milk for babies. The childminder encourages parents to bring healthy food, although this has not been reviewed for all children in relation to nutritional value and children's developmental progress. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, they have their own towel for hand washing and separate sheets for sleep times. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and follows good hygiene practice when changing children's nappies. However, written parental consent has not been sought for children to receive emergency medical treatment.

Children develop physical skills as they use soft mats, tunnels, and wheeled toys at toddler groups. The childminder regularly takes children to different parks where they can use a range of age appropriate large equipment such as rockers, swings, see saws, slides and climbing frames. Children develop control of their bodies as they run freely and kick a football in fields adjacent to one of the parks.

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe when using the garden because the childminder supervises them at all times, and has a good awareness of risks, such as a small step that is a potential hazard to younger children. Consequently children closely supervised at all times. Children are protected from the risk of fire because the childminder has working smoke alarms on each level of the house, a fire blanket in the kitchen and a clear evacuation plan. She has taken most necessary action to make the premises safe for children. For example, the kitchen is inaccessible, safety gates are in place at the top and bottom of the stairs, and protective film has been fitted on the glass door to the garden. However, one of the bedrooms on the first floor and the front door have low level unprotected glass. This is a potential risk.

Children are kept safe on outings, such as walking to and from school, because the childminder uses buggies for younger children. She ensures that children who are walking know to use the inside of the pavement, and hold hands when crossing the roads. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. In addition, there is a system in place to record details of concerns. However, current child protection documentation is not available.

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children show good self confidence with choosing their own resources such as the garage, cars and pop up tent, which the childminder makes easily accessible on the floor. The childminder has a good knowledge of what children like to do such as playing with the trains and doing drawing and puzzles. She encourages children to learn, by helping them use the resources for sorting, and counting and naming colours. Children are given good support with setting up the resources and achieving their aims. The childminder sits on the floor and joins in the children's play, such as playing peek a boo when they are inside the tent and the tunnel. Consequently children laugh with enjoyment. Children are provided with a range of activities at home such as finger painting, glitter painting, plasticine, junk modelling, free painting and colouring with chunky wax crayons. There is a good range of easily accessible resources in the sitting room which the childminder rotates so that children don't get bored. However, the play equipment is mainly plastic and does enable children to develop their senses.

Children benefit from visits to toddler groups, where they can take part in art activities and play with a wider range of resources. The childminder has a good knowledge of what children enjoy during these visits, such as being with others their own age. As a result, children who are shy, learn to socialise and take part in group drawing and painting activities. During the school holidays and after school, the childminder takes children on outings to woodland parks for picnics and on walks to feed the ducks. She meets up with other childminders who visit each other's homes. Consequently, children enjoy playing in different environments and develop confidence in their communication with other adults and children.

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder forms close and caring relationships with children. For example, she sits young children on her lap, talks to them and gives them cuddles. Babies are very relaxed, contented and smile a lot, because in consultation with parents, the childminder has introduced a routine for some children. She tries to stagger the sleep times for all children, so they all get some individual time with her. This means that children gets lots of attention. The childminder has a friendly relationship with parents. When children arrive at the beginning of the day, they separate easily from their parents and put their arms out to the childminder to be picked up. Children are happy and settled because the childminder ensures they have their own comfort blankets and dummies easily available. She has a flexible and accommodating approach towards parents' requests, and children's changing needs, such as sleep times.

Children are well behaved and enjoy being together. For example, older children sit near to the younger children and give them toys. The childminder helps younger children to sit up and join in what the other children are doing. They share the toys because the childminder reinforces what parents are helping them to learn at home. The childminder talks about what is expected, and tries to distract younger children by finding them additional toys. She talks to parents about children's behaviour and keeps them well informed about developmental progress. Children develop a positive view of differences through using resources such as books and dolls that reflect different races and cultures. However, there are no resources that help children to develop a positive approach to disability. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disability.

Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is well organised and welcoming. In good weather the childminder keeps the door between the sitting room and the garden open and moves between the two areas with the children. This means they benefit from regular outdoor play. The childminder has well organised record keeping systems in place. Parents receive a copy of all policies and procedures which include behaviour, house rules, child protection, confidentiality, accidents and emergencies, equal opportunities, fire, special needs, and sickness. This effectively contributes to children's welfare care and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable.

Complaints 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. Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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):

• seek written parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment
• make low level glass in the front door and bedroom three safe or inaccessible and obtain current child protection documentation
• provide a wider range of natural and everyday household resources that enable children to develop their senses

Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk