Childminder in Wandsworth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122935 Inspection date 20 July 2005 Inspector Tracy Maria Clarke

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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 has been registered for 21 years. She lives with her four adult children. They live in a three bedroom flat, on the second floor of a low rise block on the Peabody Estate in Battersea. Their home is within close proximity of the shops and transport links of Clapham Junction. The childminder uses the lounge, bathroom and one bedroom for childminding purposes, with two bedrooms remaining inaccessible to minded children. As there is no garden, the childminder goes out to use local resources on a daily basis. The

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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 family have no pets. The childminder is registered to care for 3 children in total aged under 8, and she currently cares for 3 children under 5. On the day of the inspection 1 child was present. No children have special needs and none speak English as an additional language. However, the childminder is a specialist minder for the local authority, and she cares for children who are 'in need'. She is a member of the local childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a healthy, well balanced diet, and are provided with home cooked food which meets their needs and dietary requirements. They enjoy bread sticks, rice cakes and fruit at snack times, and they are able to constantly access water and fruit juices throughout the day. Children benefit from the effective discussions the childminder has with parents, to ensure that children's likes and dislikes are known, and they are given food which they enjoy. Although children are given healthy foods, the current arrangements during snack and lunch times are not appropriate. There is no table, and so children sit on the floor to eat. This restricts the opportunities for them to learn to feed themselves and develop good table manners, and increases the risk of cross infection. Children are taken out daily to groups, One o'clock centres and the park. Whilst there, they enjoy taking part in a wide range of activities to encourage their physical

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Helping children to be healthy

development. They climb, run and jump, manoeuvre bikes around, access swings, pour water and mould sand. They enjoy moving their bodies to action rhymes, and rolling and bouncing in the soft play sensory room. Children have opportunities to rest, sleep and play throughout the day, according to their needs and routines. However, babies usually have their main sleep in the buggy rather than a cot, because of activities taking place outside of the home. Children are taken to wash their hands before eating, and the childminder talks to them about why they are doing so. The childminder has effective systems to reduce the risk of cross infection during nappy changing, using gloves and antibacterial wipes, and disposing of nappies appropriately. She holds a first aid certificate, which enables her to provide first aid care should children require this. She also keeps well maintained records of medication and accidents, and has relevant consents from

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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 safe environment as the childminder takes action to minimise risks by making hazardous items inaccessible to them. She has undertaken

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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 training in health and safety, and as a result, she is able to keep children safe. Although children have limited space to play within the home, they are well supervised by the childminder, and she is able to observe them at all times. Children are taken to parks and local childcare facilities which are safe and secure. They are encouraged to develop an understanding of road safety, as the childminder talks to them about crossing where it is safe, and allows them to press the button to make the 'green man' appear. Children know they must hold onto the buggy when they are walking along the road, and wait at the kerb until it is safe to cross. Children play with a sufficient range of safe, good quality and developmentally-appropriate resources. They use equipment and toys safely, with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder explaining safe practices, such as why they should pick up some of the toys from the floor, so they can play with the others safely. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection, and as a result children's safety and wellbeing is promoted. She has undertaken training in child abuse and works closely with the local authority to pass on information which may be relevant in keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive cuddles and have a close bond with the childminder which increases their sense of well being. They benefit from care and routines which are consistent with their experiences at home. Children are able to choose the resources they want to play with, from the small range placed out on the lounge floor. However, the storage arrangements limit children easily accessing the other toys available. They play with a range of manufactured toys which they explore with interest, and they enjoy imaginative play, such as moving the cars around the room and up and down the garage ramps. Children's early communication skills are encouraged to some extent, by the childminder's use of repetitive words, although there are some missed opportunities for the childminder to extend children's thinking and learning whilst they are playing with everyday resources. Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. On a daily basis

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children attend one of the many local parent/toddler groups, where they sing songs and play with a range of toys. Two to three afternoons a week they attend the One o'clock centre, where they access large outside spaces and manoeuvre bikes, run and chase one another, and play with water. They enjoy moulding sand and play dough at the centre, and take part in creative and messy activities. The childminder also meets up regularly with other childminders, so children develop strong friendships with other children and have lots of opportunities to develop their social skills. The childminder has undertaken a good range of training, including the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, she does not make full use of her training to provide

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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 younger children with sufficient opportunities to explore natural resources through their senses. Although a range of toys are provided, the childminder does not plan activities on a daily basis within the home to fully extend children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents. They settle well because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure children follow their home routines. She also shares important information about children's needs and interests, so that children experience appropriate care and activities which they recognise. The childminder shares policies and procedures with parents, so they are aware of her childminding setting. Children are well behaved and are beginning to understand the expectations of the setting, and the need to adapt their behaviour according the regular groups they attend. For example, children know they should share toys, and the childminder uses positive language with children to encourage good behaviour. The childminder responds positively to meet children's individual needs. Children have access to books and puzzles which represent the wider community. They are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

also encouraged to develop a positive awareness of culture, gender and disability through meaningful activities undertaken at the one o'clock centre. For example, children made Chinese lanterns and ate noodles as part of the celebrations for Chinese New Year. The childminder has cared for children with special needs in the past, although is not currently doing so. She increases her awareness of inclusion through on going training.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses policies and procedures effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. For example, she has comprehensive written agreements and records which she uses well with parents to identify children's individual needs and routines. On a daily basis she shares information with parents about their child's day, which contributes to continuity in the children's care. Record keeping is very well maintained and securely kept, which helps to keep children safe and ensures that relevant consents are in place. The childminder organises her home well, and despite the limitations of space, she has created areas for children to play safely, whilst also ensuring they are well supervised. She has organised toys so children can choose and request what they would like to play with, even though they cannot access them all independently. She has undertaken a very wide range of training, as part of her work as a specialist

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Organisation

childminder for the local authority. One of her household members has not yet undergone appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder meets the needs of the

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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 range of children for whom she provides a service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation was made at the last inspection. The childminder now records medication appropriately to ensure children's health and safety.

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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): • devise more appropriate snack and lunch time arrangements, to ensure children remain healthy and develop appropriate table routines • plan a wider range of activities within the home to encourage children's all round development, and provide greater opportunities for them to explore textures and natural materials, as well as manufactured resources • arrange for one household member to complete a CM2 and undergo CRB vetting

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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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