Hamerton, Lesley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY310339 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in August 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 years and one year old, and her adult daughter. The family live in a four bedroom house in a residential area within the London Borough of Bromley. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding, and a garden is available for outdoor play. The family have a dog. The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years old, and there are currently two children under eight on roll. The childminder also cares for children over eight years old. The childminder's husband and adult daughter act as occasional

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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 assistants. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bromley Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about simple good hygiene practices when they wash their hands before meals and after they use the toilet. The childminder takes precautions such as using anti-bacterial cleaner to wipe tables and equipment before and after mealtimes, and providing liquid soap and paper towels for washing and drying hands. This helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Children benefit from regular meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs. The childminder ensures she stores and prepares any food provided by parents appropriately. She is conscientious about making sure children have plenty to drink, especially in hot weather, which keeps children well-hydrated. Children's health is protected because the childminder has systems in place to keep a record of their needs, any accidents they have and any medicine they need to be given. Children are taken good care of if they have an accident because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and can respond appropriately to minor injuries. The childminder has discussed procedures for seeking medical treatment for children with their parents. However, she has not yet obtained written consent to do this from every parent, to ensure their wishes are clear. Children enjoy regular physical activity such as outings to the park, taking the dog for a walk or playing in the garden, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder supports the physical development of younger children and babies by providing resources and opportunities to practice new skills, such as standing at an activity table to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, well maintained environment. They have access to a good variety of clean, safe toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Play materials are kept in the areas where they are used, which means children can easily select resources for themselves, and this helps create a welcoming play environment. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to identify and reduce any potential hazards. For instance, she makes sure children can't reach cleaning materials in the kitchen, and restricts access to the stairs. The childminder is vigilant about supervising children at all times. She makes sure she re-assesses hazards as children grow and develop, such as when a baby

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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 learns to crawl. The childminder has discussed arrangements for keeping children safe on outings with parents. However, not all parents have confirmed in writing that they give permission for their child to be taken in the childminder's car. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is clear about her responsibility towards the children in her care. She is aware of how to identify possible child protection issues and knows what to do if she is worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They have good relationships with the childminder, who is warm and affectionate towards them and gives lots of praise and encouragement, which fosters their self-esteem. The childminder makes sure children enjoy what they do by planning activities around children's interests, such as ensuring children who love animals can regularly take the dog for a walk and have a farm set to play with. The childminder helps children learn and achieve through everyday activities by spending time talking and playing with them, and showing an interest in what they say and do. Children take part in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support their all-round development. They enjoy regular outings to play in the park, to socialise with other children at a toddler group, or to make their own music at a 'Tune for Tots' session. Children practice the skills they learn at the childminder's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

home, showing pleasure as they shake a tambourine. They choose freely from the good range of resources on offer, both indoors and in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs and routines before they start by talking to parents and completing an 'All about me' sheet, which helps her provide appropriate care. She ensures all children are included by planning activities in advance that everybody will enjoy and can take part in. Children begin to value diversity when they play with toys and books that reflect positive images of the wider community. The childminder has a calm approach and sets clear boundaries, for instance by making sure children are familiar with the house rules, which helps children behave well. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk every day to exchange information and the childminder also keeps parents up to date by using a daily diary. This ensures children experience consistent

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care. All arrangements for the care of the children are discussed in detail before children start, but the childminder does not yet have all necessary consents from parents in writing to confirm the agreements made.

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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. The childminder has completed relevant childminding training and is committed to further developing her knowledge and skills by making use of local training opportunities. The majority of the documentation required that contributes to the health, safety and wellbeing of minded children is in place, and in addition the childminder has a number of written policies and procedures that provide clear and relevant information for parents. However, she has not yet implemented a system for keeping a record of complaints made by parents, which is a new requirement. The home is well organised around the children's needs. For instance, there is clear space to play, toys are readily accessible, and safety precautions are in place to allow children to move around freely and safely. This means that children can make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided. The childminder meets the

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Organisation

needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • make sure all relevant written consents are obtained from parents of all minded children

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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 • implement a system for keeping a record of complaints, in line with new requirements

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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