Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254326 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2006 Inspection date Susan Linda Capon 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 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 2004. She lives with her partner and their two children aged seven and five years. The family live in a house situated in the London Borough of Bromley. All areas of the home are available for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years. She is currently minding one children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She makes regular use of the local amenities including parks and the childminding drop-in centre.

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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 satisfactory. The children enjoy regular physical activities which contributes to their good health. Older children enjoy visiting local parks after school and using the large play equipment, developing their climbing, jumping and sliding skills. Younger children enjoy a walk in their buggy in the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy playing in the garden, especially using the large trampoline under the direct supervision of the childminder. Babies and young children develop well as they practise their rolling, sitting and crawling skills as they explore their environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder uses good hygiene practices throughout her home, keeping the children free from infection. She uses anti-bacterial cloths to clean her work surfaces and bleaches her toilet daily.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children use good hygiene routines throughout the day as they wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. They use liquid soap and clean hand-towels. Older children are encouraged to use a tissue to blow their nose and dispose of it in a covered bin. This helps to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows safe food handling procedures, protecting the children from cross-contamination. She knows how to store, prepare, cook and serve food appropriately to prevent cross-contamination. The childminder uses hot water to re-heat the baby’s meals and bottles, in agreement with the parent's wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are fully protected through the good medication policy and procedures used by the childminder. She ensures parents give her written consent to administer any medication required. Parents see the record at the end of the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate first aid treatment when they have an accident. The childminder keeps her first aid qualification up-to-date, has a fully stocked first aid kit and records all accidents. Parents sign the record. However, the childminder does not have written parental consent to seek emergency treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents are fully aware of the childminder's policy and procedure for managing sickness. They do not send their child to the childminder if they have a contagious or infectious illness. The childminder provides alternative arrangements, through another registered childminder, if she or any of her family are unwell. This ensures the spread of infection is minimised. The childminder has good procedures in place for managing children who become unwell in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy healthy, nutritious, balanced meals each day in accordance with their parents wishes. The childminder prepares home-made meals using fresh food and limited processed ingredients. She encourages children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and considers the individual likes and dislikes of the children attending. For example, she knows an older child enjoys couscous and pasta with cheese.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The children eat well and are developing appropriately. They enjoy sitting together with the childminder at the dining table, sharing the social occasion. Older children are developing good manners. For example, they use "please" and "thank you" appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to be independent and feed themselves. For example, an older child used a spoon and fork to eat their meal. Young babies are encouraged to use a "doidy" cup to drink independently, in agreement with their parents' wishes. This special cup helps to prevent tooth decay and speech disorders.

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Helping children to be healthy

Older children are developing their awareness of healthy eating, through discussions and topics incorporated into the childminder's programme of activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to regular drinks throughout the day. Older children are developing an awareness of how their body works and know when they need to take a drink after playing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is in good decorative order throughout. It is clean, warm, welcoming and has a friendly atmosphere. This makes it a pleasant environment for children to spend their day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder organises the available space well, providing ample space for children to move around freely and explore their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access a suitable, safe garden and make regular visits to the local parks. The childminder ensures the large play apparatus is safe, secure and suitable for the children's use. Outdoor play equipment in the garden is organised well, providing a good range for the children. For example, there is a slide, rocker and large trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children under two years old use suitable, clean, safe equipment to meet their individual needs. For example, they sleep in a travel cot and use a buggy for walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified all the potential hazards within her home and garden, taking suitable steps to minimise these. For example, her greenhouse is inaccessible to children. She uses a stair gate to prevent children accessing the stairs without an adult.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Older children accompany her when she puts the baby to sleep upstairs, ensuring their safety at all times. Babies are checked regularly when they are sleeping, keeping them safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe. For example, they know they must not use the large trampoline without adult supervision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good emergency evacuation procedures in place. She has working smoke alarms to both floors and a fire blanket is secure in her kitchen. This helps to keep children safe at all times.

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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 The childminder has developed good procedures for managing outings with the children safely. She does not fill her car with petrol during working hours, to prevent leaving children in her car unattended. Children wear wrist bands, hold hands and stay close to the childminder when they are away from the premises. The childminder explains the importance of not speaking to strangers, to keep them safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe when they are walking with the childminder. They are aware traffic can be dangerous and use the Green Cross Code to cross the road, keeping close to the childminder at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps fully abreast of changes to legislation and has suitable car seats to meet the needs of the children attending when travelling in her vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Accidents are minimised through the good procedures used by the childminder when children use the large trampoline. Children only use this equipment when parents have given written consent and they follow the rules. For example, only one child may use the trampoline at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the home furnishings are clean, suitable and safe for children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are very safe through the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of managing child protection issues appropriately. She discourages children from keeping "secrets" from adults. Children are encouraged to have surprises instead. This ensures children share information with the childminder and their parents, potentially protecting the children from abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are stimulated throughout the provision, through the good range of toys, equipment and activities provided each day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are very settled and secure in their surroundings, smiling and gurgling as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are very confident with the childminder as they have developed a good relationship. They are confident to ask for other toys and activities and interact well with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy using the resources of their choice. Young babies enjoy playing with the rattles and soft books. Older children develop their imagination as they play with the dolls house and dress-up as a fairy. They enjoy sitting in the large toy container, pretending it is a boat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports the children's language and mathematical skills as they play. For example, she encourages a child to count the number of crayons she has used for her picture. The child recognises a good range of colours including pink and mauve. The childminder helps the children to write their name, using phonics to sound the letters and suggesting words

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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 beginning with the same letter. For example, M for mummy. The children are able to say the letters of their name.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder listens to the children and values what they say. She patiently answers the children's constant questions encouraging their learning and development. For example, the child asked "what's that" when they saw a computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from the additional activities incorporated into the childminder's day. They regularly visit local parks, parent and toddler groups and the childminding drop-in. This extends the children's social development, as they meet other children of a similar age. They access a wide range of different toys and activities broadening their skills as they play alongside other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports the development and progress of young babies and children, through incorporating Birth to three matters documentation and activities into her daily routine. She observes the children's progress and development using a "tracker" book, identifying the next stage of development. The parents see the records.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children maintain their individual routines throughout the day. For example, they continue to eat, sleep and play, at times to suit their needs. This helps to provide continuity of care which in turn helps children feel safe and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their understanding of right and wrong. Older children are learning to share the toys with the baby and not to snatch them away.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice in her setting. Children meet family members who represent other cultures, developing their awareness of other people and the world about them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children access an extensive range of toys and equipment promoting positive images for race, culture and disability. They particularly enjoy reading the book "Funny faces" and playing with the disability figures, including one in a wheelchair. Additional activities, incorporating different foods and festivals from other cultures into her programme, help to extend the children's awareness of equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New children settle quickly as the childminder implements a good settling-in policy and procedure. This helps parents to return to work happy in the knowledge their child is well-cared for and comfortable with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are developing their independence skills throughout the day as they select their own resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge and previous experience of caring for children with special needs. For example, children requiring a ventolin pump for breathing difficulties.

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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 The children are very happy with the childminder and enjoy their time in her care. Older children have formed a strong bond, making them feel safe and secure in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are developing their understanding of the rules and boundaries. They generally share the toys well and co-operate with one another and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder operates an excellent positive behaviour management policy and procedure in her setting. She rewards good behaviour with praise and encouragement and ignores undesirable behaviour when it is safe to do so. All the children receive some one to one attention during the day, making them feel valued. She uses a telephone call or written feedback when she needs to discuss a child's undesirable behaviour with their parent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent relationships the childminder develops with the parents. Children receive good quality care, as the childminder follows the detailed information supplied by the parent. The childminder requests additional information from the parents, including any nickname the child uses. Previous letters from parents show the childminder has high standards of care and is very friendly and caring.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good information about their child's day through a written contact book. The information is well detailed. It includes information about the amount of food, drink and sleep the child has had. Additional verbal discussion enables parents to feel confident their child is receiving appropriate care and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents see the childminder's detailed portfolio, including her policies and procedures. They are aware of how to make a complaint and the childminder has information readily available for recording any complaints as required.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a well-organised provision. They have access to suitable areas for resting, sleeping, eating, playing, "messy" activities and outdoor play on a regular basis. All the toys and equipment are well-organised and suitably stored. The childminder regularly rotates these to provide a stimulating environment at all times.

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Organisation

The children benefit from the childminder's professional approach to her work. She is fully committed to providing good care for children, taking her role and responsibilities seriously.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to update her training when possible and has attended the Birth to three matters conference. She uses this training to develop her practice and provide suitable activities to help babies and children under three years, progress appropriately.

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Organisation

The childminder is motivated to provide good care for the children and enjoys her work.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed good arrival and departure procedures, ensuring children are unable to leave her premises unnoticed. She maintains a daily attendance register and is fully aware of which children are attending on any day. This keeps the children safe and secure at all times.

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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 The childminder keeps the number of minded children low during the school day. She provides one-to-one care for small children during school hours, enabling them to develop a good relationship with one another. This helps to build the child's confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The childminder's well-organised portfolio of written policies and procedures and her up-to-date records, demonstrate how she organises her business.

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Organisation

The children's records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality at all times. Parents only see the records relating to their child.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps abreast of any changes to the National Standards. For example, she displays her certificate and has an appropriate complaints policy and procedures in place.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to ensure the children always wash their hands before eating. Children follow good hygiene procedures throughout the day and the childminder reminds the children to wash their hands before meals and snacks. This helps to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to provide written permission from parent's to use her vehicle to transport their child. She now has written consent from each child's parents to transport their child in her vehicle. This ensures the safety of the children at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of any complaints made by the parents, which should be available on request. This 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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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 • seek written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment

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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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