Maleed Simone

Inspection report for early years provision

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159380 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2006 Inspection date Kay Bateson 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 2001. She lives with her 10 year old daughter in a house in a residential area of Bromley. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks, and transport links.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The minded children have access to the whole of the property. The spare bedroom downstairs is used as the main playroom. The use of the dining room and lounge provide alternative areas for quiet and table activities. Sleeping facilities are provided in the upstairs bedrooms, with toilet and washing facilities downstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She uses her car for minding purposes. She attends carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and takes the children to the park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a dog, fish and a hamster.

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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 The childminder is currently registered for four children under eight years at any one time and currently has six children under eight years and one child over eight years on roll, all of whom attend 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 and the Bromley Mencap network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding about the importance of keeping themselves safe from infection and germs through daily routines. The learn about good hygiene as they consistently wash hands after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside and handling the family’s pets. The childminder follows good procedures at all times to keep children safe from infection. For example, by keeping all areas, toys and pets very clean; by providing paper towels for hand drying; and having secure systems in place for recording accidents, administering medication and dealing with sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children acquire new tastes and are encouraged to develop good eating habits, as they sit together during a meal. The childminder plans the freshly prepared meals around the dietary needs of the children, taking into consideration their likes or dislikes. She ensures meals include essential healthy options, ensuring children are well nourished. Children's thirst is well satisfied as the childminder encourages them to drink plenty of fluid throughout the day. This increases their awareness of their own personal needs and well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities for physical and outdoor play. The childminder fully supports their individual needs for quiet and active play. They can use a variety of outdoor equipment, with sufficient space in the garden around the existing large play equipment to freely move. They enjoy activities provided that extend and develop their large and fine muscles. This is apparent when children make jam tarts, use the swings, cut out paper puppets and colour pictures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a secure and welcoming home. There is sufficient amount of space inside and out for active and restful activities. The childminder pays firm attention to reducing risks and possible hazards to children. She fully supervises children when they play outside as she has a small swimming pool currently in place. Children's safety is at risk if they use the trampoline or swimming pool, as the childminder has not obtained written agreements from parents or checked that her public liability insurance covers these activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children raise their awareness to personal safety as the childminder follows sound procedures. She gives gentle reminders to them when playing and explains in full the reasons why the action is unsafe. She has appropriate safety precautions in place around the home and ensures that

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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 play within her sight at all times. This is apparent when they are playing on swings, looking in the hamster cage and picking up apples off the ground.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is mostly safeguarded and promoted by the childminder’s sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, also who to contact for advice. She carries important contact numbers, identification and the children wear identity bracelets when they visit busy places. However, the childminder currently has no clear written parental agreements in place to take children on outings or to travel on any form of transport. This puts their safety at risk when out or travelling in a vehicle. The childminder agreed to attend to all these safety matters immediately to improve the overall safety to all children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with the wide rage of toys and equipment that the childminder provides. They become involved and interested in them for a good length of time. They are able to self-select toys and initiate games to play with each other. Children benefit from activities the childminder initiates, which provide valuable new learning experiences for them. For example, when they make jam tarts with fresh pastry, make paper finger puppets and help to clean out the hamster cage. This ensures children receive a balance of opportunities and learning experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are keen to share information to each other and talk readily about their pets. They all receive equal amount of attention from the childminder, who interacts with them and actively joins in their conversations and play. The childminder is patient, attentive and understanding to the needs of young children. She reassures them and joins in with their solitary play. She encourages them to become interested in the activities of the older children and is quick to interpret meaning from their hand signs. Therefore, the childminder fully supports the individual learning needs and interests of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. New children have settled quickly, they feel at home and secure as the childminder uses effective procedures to reassure them. She organises interesting and new experiences in a calm and welcoming environment. Toys are easily accessible and she pays full attention to their individual needs. She shows concern and provides a warm sensitive approach when young children become worried. She fully engages in their play, which help build sound and secure relationships with them. This ensures children feel safe and emotionally secure whilst away from their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement given by the childminder. They respond well to requests from the childminder, play well together sharing equipment and taking turns. The childminder helps siblings learn about respecting each other’s play ideas through talking with them when they become upset. They demonstrate good social skills as they play together and sit at the table eating. This is apparent when children are playing

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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 ‘shops’, have jam tarts offered to them to taste and ask to help clean the swimming pool water with the net.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to foster their growing curiosity about positive images of people, diversity and disability, when they look at books or play with the figures the childminder provides. The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of how to work with parents when supporting a child with additional needs. In turn, this maintains the continuity of care for the individual child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes good relationships with parents of the minded children. She informs them verbally and shares some written procedures about her care. She regularly informs them about the child’s day and activities they have done together. She has obtained most of the necessary written agreements with parents. However, good links with current parents are in danger of breaking down as important contractual agreements about the care of their child have not been completed and signed. The childminder agreed to attend to these immediately to ensure the care, welfare and safety of the children is secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel happy and at home due to the way the childminder organises the play space for them, with areas for quiet and active play. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised by the childminder to broaden their experiences, such as cooking, trips to local parks, places and libraries. The childminder pays firm attention to attending training and courses, lately increasing her knowledge of supporting children with special needs. Therefore, children will benefit from the increase of knowledge of the childminder, as she supports their learning and individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder pays suitable attention to keeping all required documentation, records and details of the minded children, accurate and up to date. Most contractual arrangements and written agreements are in place. At the inspection, the daily attendance record was unsigned by both parties and the written contract for the temporary placement children was yet to be completed. Written parental consent to travel in a vehicle or transport, to use the trampoline, the swimming pool and to be taken on outings is not in place. The childminder agreed to attend to all written agreements immediately. This will ensure the children’s overall welfare and safety is fully met.

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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

The childminder has completed all the recommendations and actions imposed during the previous inspections.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to ensure the written agreements include information on activities provided. She has obtained clear written agreements from parents for seeking

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Improvements 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 emergency treatment and lists the activities that are provided as part of the contractual agreements. This ensures the safety and welfare of the children is secure when a child requires medical attention and that parents are clearly informed about the possible activities on offer.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to ensure the numbers of children cared for complies with the number stated on the registration certificate and an accurate, up to date record of attendance is maintained at all times. The childminder ensures she only minds for the registered number of children under eight years at any one time and keeps a daily record of the attendance times of the children in her care. This ensures the safety of the children is maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since April 2004 relating to National Standard 1-Suitable Person and National Standard 2-Organisation. Ofsted carried out an unannounced inspection and as a result a warning letter was sent and two actions were set. The provider took immediate action to address the concern and remains qualified for registration.

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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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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): • obtain written consent from parents for taking children on outings; using transport, the trampoline and the swimming pool.

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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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