Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY218619 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2006 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge 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 has been registered since October 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged five years, three years and one year in a three bedroom semi-detached house in Thamesmead Central. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes along with the first floor for sleeping. There is a secure garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently minding one child aged five years before and after school and during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also part of approved childminding network for Abbeywood and Thamesmead.

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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 are cared for in a very clean home setting where good procedures are in place to promote their health. The childminder actively ensures that children are learning good personal hygiene by talking to them about the importance of washing their hands after toileting and by making sure they to do so. Children who are unwell are required to stay at home to prevent cross infection. Children will receive appropriate treatment/care if an accident occurs as the childminder has recently updated her first aid training and a fully stocked first aid box is very accessible in the kitchen. Children are protected because the childminder has a very clear understanding of procedures for record keeping regarding accidents and medication. Children have regular access to outdoor play and physical exercise in a well equipped garden where they can run around, climb on the climbing frame/ slide and ride on bikes in order to develop their

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Helping children to be healthy

large motor skills. Children have sufficient time to rest and sleep if they need to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. Children enjoy a wide variety of healthy snacks and learn about healthy eating through conversations about what foods are good for them. Children can help themselves to drinks of water or juice through out the day. The childminder talks to parents about providing healthy options and discusses children's likes, dislikes and special dietary requirements which are respected at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play and relax in a safe, secure, welcoming environment where they have space to move around freely and confidently. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and ensures that risks are minimised, for example necessary safety precautions such as a fire blanket, smoke detectors, socket covers and safety gates keep children safe. Good security measures on the front door and back gate prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised. Regular fire drills ensure that children are familiar with evacuation procedures. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety whilst playing in the garden and by helping to clear away toys when they have finished playing. Equipment, toys and furniture are in good condition and are suitable for the children's needs, however storage of some toys means that children can not access or use resources easily. As a result children have limited

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

opportunities for making independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and well being is assured as necessary checks have been completed on household members and the child minder has a good understanding of child protection. She would be able to recognise possible signs of abuse and is very clear about her role with regards to recording and reporting any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and very much at home with the childminder and her family. They laugh and giggle with the childminder as they take part in a range of activities throughout the day which promote their development, learning and enjoyment. The childminder actively listens and talks to children asking open ended questions to help extend their language skills. She uses planned activities to extend children's understanding of early maths, for example, during a water play activity children are encouraged to talk about items that sink and float. Games and song time are used to help children with number, letter and shape recognition. Children benefit from physical play in the well equipped garden and during free play they can choose from a good variety of books and from a box of assorted toys which are put out in the lounge however, the storage of toys such as loose pieces of puzzles and bricks in the bottom of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

box does not always support children's play. The childminder also borrows toys from the toy library. She is familiar with the Birth to three matters framework which will be used to plan activities for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a good range of experiences outside the home which help them to learn about the wider world. These include visits to the library where children choose their books, to toddler groups where younger children can mix with other children and to local parks and adventure playground for physical play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children and families are welcomed into the childminder's home regardless of ethnic background, culture, religion, gender and disability. Children's individual care and needs are met by the childminder who takes time to talk to parents at the initial interview about the family background, religion, culture and special needs. Children learn to value and respect diversity and disability through playing with resources such as small world figures, dolls, puzzles and books and by taking part in activities to celebrate different festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies for managing behaviour are effective and appropriate to children's age and stage of development and are very much focused on positive reinforcement. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self esteem. As a result children are happy, confident and well behaved. They play nicely together, share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good working relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well being. A written record of children's development and achievements along with discussions with parents ensures that children's individual needs are met and that parents are kept informed of daily events and children's progress. Contracts, consent forms and child record forms are completed. The childminder has not received any complaints from parents so has not developed a complaints procedure in line with the new regulations for logging complaints.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's knowledge and experienced of childcare. She is a qualified nursery nurse and as a network childminder has access to extra support and training from Greenwich Early Years. She continues to attend courses to ensure that her child care knowledge and practice is up-to-date. The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration and of the National Standards in order to promote the health, safety and well being of children.

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Organisation

Children receive very good adult support. They enjoy their time with the childminder because the days are fully planned with time to play, rest and eat according to their individual needs. The childminder's home is well organised so that children can play safely in a secure environment. Toy provision is not quite so well organised.

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Organisation

All necessary documentation is in place except for a complaints log. The attendance register is completed daily and shows children's time of arrival and departure. Medication and accident records are signed by parents. Contracts, child record and consent forms are completed for each child.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that air fresheners in the toilet are kept out of children's reach and to increase her knowledge and understanding of systems in place to support children with special needs. The childminder has improved children's safety by removing air fresheners. She has attended a special needs course which has increased her ability to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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 complaint 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 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): • ensure that toys and play resources are stored so that they are easily accessible and support children's play, • ensure that a complaints procedure in line with the New Regulations is in place and is made familiar to parents

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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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