Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY225337 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2006 Inspection date Tina Kelly 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 was registered at this address in 2002, she was previously registered in the London Borough of Camden. She lives with her husband, adult daughter aged 21 years and a son aged 8 years. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a downstairs cloakroom, children do not generally access upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks children to the local primary school, parks and local shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under the age of 8, she currently has a term time arrangements for a young baby. No children were present at the time of the inspection.

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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 childminder showed examples of the documents of how the children's individual needs are recorded and met. She described how she shared information about the young children's routines and meals with parents on a daily basis. She explained how children are learning about good personal hygiene through their daily routines, how older children need to be reminded to wash their hands after using the cloakroom. The childminder's practice would be enhanced by her updating her knowledge and understanding of first aid procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's health is promoted. She has a healthy eating policy and frequently supplies organic home cooked meals to extend and develop children's tastes and food experiences. Documents are in place to record detail such as medical needs, allergies and dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gave examples of how children have opportunities to develop their physical skills with regular walks to school and to the park. Resources reflect opportunities that the children have for physical exercise in the garden. A large climbing structure offers a challenge to older children and a place for younger children to extend and practice their climbing and balancing skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment. The childminder explained that she has appropriate safety measures in place to monitor the children as they play and to maintain their safety both in the home and in the garden. The childminder promotes safety in the home through discussions with children as to what is acceptable. Clear boundaries are in place such as not running in the house as children may slip and fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and has attended training in this important aspect of childcare. However, the information for parents does not include detail of her training or the procedures that are in place with regard child protection concerns so they are not aware of the actions the childminder may take if she had concerns about a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is monitored and maintained as the childminder showed how she keeps appropriate records with regards to accidents and incidents. She has appropriate documents and contact numbers available in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion with the childminder she explained how she provides a range of activities for children of all ages. For example there is a range of art and craft activities, opportunities

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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 to take part in cooking as well as imaginative play resources readily available. She has leaflets and literature to show where she has taken the children in the past, to the library story times, farms and activity sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrated how children can make choices about their play. She showed that the resources are stored at low level so children can help themselves and make decisions about their own play ideas. Resources that are readily available and in good condition are set out in the garden which shows that children have a range of apparatus and equipment such as bats and ball and ride on toys so as to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children benefit because the childminder gives regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework to extend their experiences and play opportunities with age appropriate resources and toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discussed various outings and events that develop the children's knowledge of their community and the wider world. She demonstrates how children have equal access to the range of resources and how this develops older children's confidence and decision making skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talked about her experiences in minding with children of all ages, she is clear about behaviour management strategies and how she would share day to day issues with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a sound relationship between herself and parents. She shares the children's experiences with them at the end of the day. A daily diary is kept to record sleep patterns and routines for younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder currently organises her time around the part time, term time only care. The childminder showed how records and documents are kept to ensure the children's individual needs are recognised and met. All the required documents are available but the folder is not well presented. Parents do not have clear information on the new complaints procedure, the childminders previous training record or experiences that the childminder has which enhances her care and the organisation of her childminding service.

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Organisation

Overall, the evidence suggests that the children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to; ensure the children's safety with regards to dangerous substances in the kitchen; to develop written agreements to inform

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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 parents about the activities and business arrangements; to ensure the registration certificate is displayed at all times and to keep an attendance register.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are now kept safe as appropriate measures are in place to prevent them accessing kitchen cupboards. Appropriate records and documents are now in place with regards to the children's individual needs. Documents and detail of the childminder registration is kept as laid out in the regulation.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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): • review information for parents to include child protection statement, training attended and the new complaints procedure • ensure first aid training is kept up to date.

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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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