Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316044 Inspection date 08 May 2006 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 good. 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 registered in 2005. She is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 3 children aged 4 years, 3 years and 9 months. She lives in Brixton within walking distance of Brixton underground station, toddler groups, and local parks and playgrounds. The childminder lives with her partner and four adult children. She co-minds with one of her children at the same premises. Children have access to the sitting room, kitchen, hallway, two toilets and one of the bedrooms for sleeping purposes only. There an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder regularly takes children to local toddler groups and one o'clock clubs, as well as parks and playgrounds.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from regular walks to local parks where they develop gross motor skills through using the climbing equipment. Younger children have regular physical exercise because the childminder provides opportunities for them to explore their environment at home and move freely in a large indoor space at the one o' clock club. The childminder fits a large high level canopy in the garden to provide shade during the Summer. This means that in hot weather children can play outside and be protected from the sun. Children are provided with healthy meals and snacks and are given food which they like. The childminder has a written policy which has clear aims for weaning and providing younger children with finger foods. This means that children develop good personal independence through learning to feed themselves. Water is made available throughout the day. Food requirements are discussed and

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Helping children to be healthy

agreed with parents. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection, for example, babies bottles are sterilised and all children have their own plates, cutlery, and cups. However, children are not always reminded to wash their hands before snack time. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate but has not sought written parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from having access to a good range of safe play equipment which is well maintained and checked regularly by the childminder. They are kept safe within the home because all rooms used for childminding present no risks to children and have been made safe. This is because the childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards, uses appropriate safety equipment and works well as a team with her co-minder to ensure children are never left unsupervised. Children are kept safe when travelling in the childminders car because she ensures they have appropriate seating and always wear seat belts. The childminder has a written health and safety policy in place which parents read and sign. This includes information about collection of children. The childminder has clear procedures for keeping children safe when outside the home, for example, younger children hold onto the buggy unless

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they are in an enclosed area. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when crossing roads because the childminder explains to them about cars and danger. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. She has a written child protection policy which she shares with parents and is currently completing additional training to enhance her knowledge of child protection issues.

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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 Children are happy and settled because they enjoy interacting and communicating with both the childminder and her co-minder. They enjoy choosing their own play equipment from accessible boxes in the childminder's large hallway, which is set up as an attractive play area. They initiate their own imaginative play and develop good independence as they use the props in the well presented home corner. Children play together and enjoy each others company. Younger children often choose to take part in the same activities as the older children, for example making constructions from stickle bricks. Children enjoy daily outings to local toddler groups, one o' clock clubs, parks and playgrounds. This means that children have the opportunity to socialise with others in a large group setting. The childminder has a good knowledge

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the types of activities to provide for older children during the school holidays and therefore children benefit from outings to the swimming pool, one o'clock clubs, museums, parks and local children's events. The childminder provides activities at home, for example cutting, gluing and painting, which encourage and foster children's creativity. She devises her own detailed written activity plans with clear learning objectives for children. These activities include circle time and rhymes, water and sand play in the garden, play dough, reading books, puzzles and cooking. This means that children are well occupied and make good developmental progress. Although the childminder provides a range of experiences for all children, there are no natural and real life resources for babies and younger children to handle and explore. This means that they are not encouraged to develop their senses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder knows their routines and accommodates their needs within the day. She treats children as individuals and recognises that every child has their own personality and develops in their own way. The childminder has a written settling in policy which she shares with parents. This includes expectations that children and parents will visit prior to the starting date and settle in gradually. This means children feel more secure when they are first left in the childminders care. The childminder reassures parents, makes sure they feel comfortable with her looking after their children and tells them what children have been doing at the end of each day. She talks to parents about procedures for safety and hygiene, and agrees outings and activities for children. This means that children benefit from the good partnership between parents and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and co-operative. This is because the childminder provides a positive role model for children and her co-minder, and understands the importance of working together with parents regarding children's behaviour. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which she asks parents to read and sign. This means that parents know about appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour and leads to continuity of care for the children. The childminder sets clear boundaries and regularly praises children. As a result, children understand the consequences of their behaviour, and learn right from wrong. Children have access to a range of resources such as books and dolls which help them develop a positive attitude towards differences. Large attractive posters displayed in the main play area reflect different languages, racial origin and disability and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The

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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 childminder is not currently looking after children with special needs. She has recently attended training to enhance her knowledge of children's speech and language development and how to communicate with children who have hearing difficulties.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment. The childminder makes good use of the kitchen for creative activities and makes it accessible to children, except when cooking so there is more available space. Children can move about freely within the large hallway used as the main play area, because the childminder has made it safe. This means they are confident to initiate their own play. In addition children benefit from playing in the sitting room on the first floor which provides them with a change of scene. Children develop personal independence as they use the hooks in the hallway to hang up their coats and the downstairs cloakroom for using the toilet and washing their hands. The childminder has a well organised portfolio in place which includes all policies and procedures. This is shown to parents and discussed, which means they are kept well informed

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Organisation

about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. There are good record keeping systems in place. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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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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 good. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 and ensure children wash their hands before eating snacks. • improve knowledge of birth to three matters guidance so that babies and younger children have more opportunity to access natural resources and real life objects to develop their senses.

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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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