Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY298133 Unique Reference Number 07 July 2006 Inspection date Beverly Hallett Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 lives with her two children aged seven, and five in the Lee area of the London borough of Lewisham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group, and takes children to the local library and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children enjoy exploring in a suitably clean home environment. They are beginning to develop good hygiene practices as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before eating and to remove their outdoor shoes when entering the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are not protected in case of ill health as although the childminder agrees verbally with parents if children are infectious and need to be excluded, she does not record when children have been given medicines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a suitable range of healthy foods for main meals and snacks, for example tuna, pasta and sweet corn. However, desserts are based on sweet, sugary items such as cake and ice cream as well as fruit and are not so healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from playing in the garden and enjoy digging and playing football as forms of exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children confidently explore a safe and comfortable indoor environment. Safety gates prevent access to the stairs, and younger children sit in a high chair in the kitchen to eat meals so that they cannot touch any hazardous equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, outside, there are some hazards to children's safety for example an old lawn mower, a broken shelf and a dirty bucket are stored where children could easily gain access to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good access to a good range of toys which are in suitable condition. They help themselves to favourite items which are stored so that they can reach them easily, supporting children's self confidence and opportunities to make choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's and have good opportunities to experience a good range of interested and stimulating activities. They enjoy making models out of old cereal boxes, making play dough and drawing and painting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the natural world through playing in the garden, collecting and observing insects, and using their imaginations as they pretend to make pies using dirt, sticks and leaves. They pretend to be doctors and use old sheets tied around chairs as caves as they play together after school.

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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 explore the range of baby toys, rattles and musical instruments which the childminder sets out. They crawl confidently round the room, moving from one item to another as their interest wanes and they look for new things to shake, rattle and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children receive consistency of care as the childminder has a good relationship with parents. They exchange information verbally every day on the child's activities and care routines. Children's individual needs are appropriately met as the childminder keeps appropriate information on their likes and dislikes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about rules and boundaries as the childminder talks to them about appropriate behaviour, for example not climbing on furniture. However, some strategies used to support children's acceptable behaviour are not positive and do not encourage children to have healthy attitudes towards food. For example, if children do not behave in an acceptable way, or do not eat all of their main meal, they are not allowed to have dessert after meal times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows the children in her care well, enabling her to offer care and activities to support their interests and needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The provider does not currently meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably trained and experienced in caring for children and offers a good range of activities so that children are suitably occupied whilst in her care. However, the strategies used to manage children's behaviour are not always positive.

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Organisation

Children's safety is supported by essential documentation which is kept in suitable order and contains sufficient detail, however, there are some safety hazards present in the garden.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children • assess the risks to children in relation to the garden equipment and take action to ensure children do not have access to them • develop awareness and understanding of positive ways to manage children’s behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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