Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY320644 Inspection date 29 June 2006 Inspector Alison Joan Wadley

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her six year old daughter in a three bedroom house in Peckham. The accommodation is on three levels: the ground floor consists of toilet facilities and kitchen/dining area, the first floor has a play room and bedroom and the top floor has two bedrooms and bathroom. The play room and kitchen/dining area are used for minding purposes. There is a garden which is currently not registered. The childminder is registered to take three children under eight years old of whom two may be aged under five years and of these one aged under a year old. There is currently one 13 week old baby attending. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being with the childminder who, in consultation with the parents, follows good procedures and practices which meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. A good level of communication with the children helps them gain an understanding of hygiene and the childminder uses posters to support this practice. She is well trained and experienced in caring for babies and young children and the baby in attendance well settled. A strong partnership with parents supports the childminders understanding of each child’s stage of development and the children are encouraged to be confident to try out new skills and set their own limits within the safe environment. Children benefit from daily fresh air, regularly visiting local drop in clubs with the childminder. Their meals are well balanced and take account of the individual and needs of all children. The childminder attends to the children well when they are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

unwell and has clear guidelines to support this. She has a thorough understanding of consent and medication procedures and is well versed in First Aid procedures and records should accidents occur.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe from hazards and accidental injury because the childminder is vigilant and maintains a safe environment. She has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. They are kept safe from fire because the childminder has thought through and practiced fire drills and suitable fire equipment is in place. Children gain knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm because the childminder communicates well giving clear explanations regarding their conduct, for example when on outings. They benefit from good quality equipment which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Regular communication with parents contributes to children’s safety. Children are well protected by the childminder who understands her role in child protection procedures very well. She is

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

able to share her knowledge and procedures with parents to safeguard the children's welfare whilst in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder who is well trained and experienced in childcare. They achieve well because she observes their development and uses her experience and understanding of children and babies to provide good quality care.

p.3

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's development is further promoted by regular outings to local drop in centres and childminder groups where their social skills are further encouraged. Those who are new to the childminder are helped to settle well and the childminder is sensitive towards their individual needs. Close and caring relationships enable children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong relationship with the childminder. Good quality interaction from the childminder supports early communication skills very well. Children and in particular the baby who is attending, begin to make sense of the world and express themselves when cuddled and make contact with a range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, when listening to music and communicating with the childminder.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities and visits to local clubs. Good quality resources such as dolls, books, music and role play used in play help support children's understanding of difference; but there are limited resources to reflect disability awareness. The childminder has attended a wealth of training including working with children who may be fostered or who have challenging behaviour and adapts resources and activities to the children's need. Children's behaviour is good and the childminder presents as caring and approachable. Children benefit because she shares her expectations with parents and gives priority to the development of children's self-esteem and respect for others. A very good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s wellbeing whilst with the childminder. She actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

needs and interests before the child starts at the setting, and builds positive relationships throughout their time there.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder enhances children's care by the good quality of organisation. Her qualifications and experience in the childcare field holds her in good stead to work with a range of children including those who may have special educational needs. Her involvement in local childminder drop in groups enables regular information exchange and she embraces ongoing training. The well structured routine which includes outings helps the children to settle and to become confident socially. The playroom is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children and the children are encouraged to choose accessible resources to support their play and learning. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and wellbeing is in place and is regularly shared with parents where appropriate. The good quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the

p.4

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

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints reported 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • provide more resources which reflect disability awareness

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5