Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100526 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Claire, Alexandra Parnell 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 satisfactory. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children. They live in a residential area of Bromley close to local shops, park and a main line station. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under the age of eight. Currently she cares for three children under five, one on a full time basis and the others on a rota agreement.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Children's hygiene practice is promoted well. Children are reminded to wash their hands when visiting the toilet, before eating and after outside play. The childminder supports children's understanding of hygiene well and helps them to carry out these tasks adequately. Children learn about the need to wash hands through clear explanations and discussion. Children have access to clean and hygienic areas of the house due to the childminder's routines and rules such as removing shoes at the front door.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's systems for recording medication administration and existing injuries are not always robust. Therefore children are not always protected from the possibility of overdosing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's accidents are well documented and shared with parents to promote children's ongoing health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs and progress are promoted well by the childminder who ensures she uses relevant information from the parents to introduce new foods and tastes. She ensures children eat relevant foods for their diets. Children are given plentiful healthy options including fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis, either within cooked meals or as snacks. Drinks are made freely accessible to children in relevant vessels, therefore promoting their independence and choice of when to drink. Good procedures are followed regarding the preparation and organisation of young babies feeds, such as sterilising and storing of feeds and meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air to promote their wellbeing. They have regular trips to local parks where they use large equipment to extend their skills in climbing and sliding. Children use the garden to play with smaller equipment and are encouraged to learn new skills such as throwing and catching a ball.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures that the environment is checked regularly to provide appropriate place for play. Safety measures have been put in place such as filmed glass doors, locked cupboards and inaccessible medication, therefore promoting children's safety. The premises are secure, therefore children are not able to leave unaccompanied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to suitable equipment, such as travel cots and car seats. These are regularly maintained to ensure their ongoing safe use for children. However, children do not have free, safe access to play equipment as these are stored out of children's reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about the impact their actions have on themselves and others safety. The childminder discusses these actions with them, such as throwing toys, to aid their understanding. However, the lack of resources available to children does impact on the children's safety as they tend to run around the setting.

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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 Children learn about road and car safety due to the childminder's clear rules and expectations of children when walking or using the car. They learn to look and listen to the traffic and use appropriate places to cross the road. Children travel in appropriate sized car seats, which is discussed with parents to ensure their safety in a car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted due to the childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. She has a clear understanding of relevant procedures to follow, relevant records to keep and who to contact for support and further advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very settled and familiar with their routine in the childminder's care, even though some children attend irregular hours and days. The childminder reassures children about who is collecting them and what they are doing during the day. Therefore children's confidence is highly promoted. Children with developmental concerns are supported well and given the care and individual time to develop their language and social skills. However, the children have limited independent access to a limited choice of resources whilst in the childminder's home. Therefore children lose interest quickly in what is available and use their imagination to create play that is not always acceptable to the childminder, such as flipping toys' boxes and running around furniture. This also has an impact on children's safety. The childminder does provide some challenges for children through discussion and questions, therefore promoting their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of colours and numbers in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take regular trips to local amenities such as parks to give them opportunities to use additional equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's development and daily events are recorded in contact books to provide parents with a record of their achievements. However, the childminder does not use the Birth to three matters framework to assess and promote young children's development and future progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individuality is adequately promoted due to the childminder's understanding of equality. She reflects and respects children's backgrounds, particularly their home language by reassuring children and gaining knowledge of home languages. Children's individual needs and characters are quickly identified by the childminder who then uses this information to continuously provide for them. Children have some access to some resources that portray positive images of today's society, helping them to understand and respect people's differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties receive sensitive and supportive care. The childminder works well with other professionals to identify concerns and uses shared strategies to promote their communication and social skills.

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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 childminder has clear strategies in place to deal with unacceptable behaviour, although there is little emphasis towards children's positive behaviour. Due to the limited stimulation for children, the childminder reminds them of appropriate play and the impact their actions may have on their safety.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes a satisfactory partnership with parents. Although there are no written policies and procedures for parents to inform them of the childminder's service, they receive daily verbal information about their child's day and their achievements. Therefore continuity of care is promoted. Parents provide consent for some aspects of care to ensure that the childminder is able to care for children appropriately and safely. Parents are not able to make concerns known to regulatory bodies as they are not given relevant contact details.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is adequately promoted. Children are cared for by a childminder who ensures that non-checked individuals do not have unsupervised access to them. Children's individual records are regularly updated and only shared with authorised persons. Their details are stored safely and confidentially. The childminder updates necessary training to ensure children receive relevant care, such as first aid treatment.

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Organisation

The childminder understands her responsibility to care for the correct numbers of children as agreed within her registration conditions, but lacks clarity of informing regulatory bodies of her current childminding attendance. Children's attendance is recorded but this lacks accuracy, as mostly children's contracted and expected hours of attendance are recorded.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given three recommendations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The first was to provide resources to promote positive images of today's society for children . The childminder now has some resources to enhance children's respect and understanding of equality, such as books and dolls. The second was to ensure correct numbers of children are safely transported in the car. The childminder ensures children's safety by having the relevant car seats for the age and size of the child and only transports children who she cares for. She also has written consent from parents to transport children in her car. The third was to gain consent from parents regarding emergency treatment for children. Each child's records contains relevant consent from their parents for this aspect of care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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. 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 satisfactory. 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): • make medication administration procedures and existing injuries information robust to protect children's wellbeing • provide an accessible and adequate choice of activities for children to promote their stimulation and to ensure they are occupied • ensure children's attendance is accurately recorded and accurate details of children attending are shared appropriately with Ofsted

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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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