Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275209 Unique Reference Number 22 June 2006 Inspection date Elizabeth Anne Coffey 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 to care for children since 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged four and seven years. They live in a house in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. All of the home can be used for childminding purposes, although children play mainly in the ground floor playroom and lounge. There is a back garden which is used by the children for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children and is currently minding one child 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.

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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 enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are learning to develop good control of their bodies, through both indoor and outdoor play. Children make very good use of the garden where they enjoy fresh air and exercise. They eagerly engage in role play in the wooden play house, and climb, slide and peddle on the outdoor equipment. They keep fit through swimming activities and walks in a nearby nature reserve and in parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children are able to sleep comfortably at times that match their individual routines. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where floors and surfaces are clean and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet, including fresh fruit and vegetables. They have access to drinking water throughout the day. They sit at the table for meals and the childminder encourages good eating habits. Where children have special dietary requirements, the childminder is happy to adapt menus to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate record keeping systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication. Required parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is held. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from close adult supervision as they independently select activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment. Resources and furniture used are well maintained and meet safety standards. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and understands her responsibilities in following correct procedures. This includes recording and reporting any concerns regarding the welfare of the child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder regularly reviews her practice, and adapts the activities and equipment, depending on the age and ability of the children she is minding. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, children are shown how to come down the stairs in a safe manner. Children are kept safe on outings and school journeys because the childminder is vigilant in supervising them and promoting road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Required fire protection equipment is available in the home. There is a written fire evacuation plan on display, although this does not cover evacuation from the first floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder has identified and minimised most risks in the home and garden. However the garden fence has a gap which children could climb through into a neighbouring property. This compromises children's safety.

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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 enjoy playing with the wide range of toys and play materials that are readily available to them. The childminder actively encourages the children's play, for example, sitting on the floor and playing with puppets and dolls with them. Children develop good co-ordination and manipulative skills as they dress and undress the dolls with an imaginative range of clothes and accessories. Children's creative development is enhanced as they regularly enjoy colouring and sand and water play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of outings outside of the home. They enjoy visits to parks and a nearby nature reserve. The childminder makes good use of toddler groups and indoor play centres, to extend children's social skills and provide fun and interesting activities for them. Children also enjoy trips to the swimming pool during school holidays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled. They confidently approach the childminder for assistance or to ask for something they want. She readily responds to their requests and is kind and gentle in her approach. Children happily chatter as they play and move with ease between activities. They benefit from a daily routine that accommodates their individual sleep and feeding patterns. New children are helped to settle in because the childminder is calm and patient in her approach and takes time to get to know each child well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop an awareness and understanding of the wider world through good example by the childminder. They have access to a range of resources that promote a positive view of the wider world, including dolls, puzzles and books portraying people of different ethnic origins. Topics which the childminder's own children cover at school, such as learning about different cultural festivals, are further explored and talked about at home. This helps to increase children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach towards caring for children with a range of needs and abilities. She has some experience of caring for children with additional needs from her previous role as a nanny.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are encouraged to be kind and polite to others. The childminder uses age appropriate strategies to deal with children's behaviour. Children's self esteem is raised by good use of praise and encouragement by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good communication and liaison between the childminder and parents helps children progress. Parents' views are respected and they are kept well informed about how their child has been, through telephone calls and verbal feedback at the end of the day. Written consents are obtained from parents to allow the childminder to transport the children in her car and to take the children on local outings. This promotes an effective partnership with parents.

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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's care is enhanced by effective and efficient organisation. The childminder organises her day around the children. The routine is well planned to allow the children adequate time to rest, play and eat. Journeys to and from school and nursery are planned with the needs of all children in mind.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored in an orderly manner and the childminder understands and complies with regulatory requirements. All records relating to minded children are treated in a confidential manner. The childminder holds appropriate insurance cover. She demonstrates a sound understanding of her responsibilities as a childminder, for example, notifying Ofsted of significant events such as structural work to the premises.

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably qualified and has undertaken relevant training, including an introductory childminding course and a first aid course. She is an experienced nanny and prior to childminding she cared for a number of other people's children over several years.

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Organisation

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • ensure children are kept safe in the garden (secure fence) • improve fire safety procedures by ensuring the evacuation plan covers evacuation from all levels of the house

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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 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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