Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY293953 Unique Reference Number 25 July 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 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 2005.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and young daughter in a residential area of Petts Wood in Orpington. She offers the use of her lounge, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms for sleeping, upstairs bathroom and a secure rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has access to local parks, school, pre-schools and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. At present she cares for three children. One child on a full time basis and two on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association and attends the local childminder drop-in services.

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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 benefit from good hygiene procedures whilst with the childminder. They have access to wipes and tissues for noses and sticky fingers. Younger children are supported well with hand washing practices and are given clear explanations as to why they need to carry this task out. Older children are encouraged to use the toileting facilities independently and are reminded of the importance of washing hands afterwards. Children are protected from cross infection through thorough cleaning procedures, use of potties and hand washing after nappy changing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's ongoing health needs are promoted well due to the accurate recording of accidents and monitoring of children's illnesses and use of medication. However, the procedure used by the childminder for medication consent is not effective in protecting children from the misuse of administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of healthy eating and drinking and are given enthusiastic encouragement to eat new foods, particularly those children who are weaning. Children have access to freshly prepared drinks of water and juice throughout the day to ensure they drink enough liquids, particularly in hot weather. Children are given a range of healthy snacks between meals to entice their dietary progress. The childminder encourages children to develop independent eating through demonstration and praise, such as holding their own cups and bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from taking part in rigorous physical activities within the garden and using the local park. They are encouraged to use the play equipment to learn new and extend existing skills. Young children are encouraged to move freely around the house and are given subtle support to learn how to walk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe environment that is regularly and thoroughly checked for potential hazards. They have the freedom to choose where they want to play due to easy and safe access to all areas of the downstairs of the house. The childminder ensures effective security measures are in place so that children cannot leave the premises unattended.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about using equipment safely whilst with the childminder. She gives children clear explanations about small pieces in their mouths or the inappropriate use of some toys, enhancing their understanding of their own safety and the safety of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted well by the childminder who is aware of children's habits and behaviour and acts quickly to ensure they cannot be harmed. Children learn about how to evacuate the premises in the event of a fire. Effective procedures are in place to ensure this happens efficiently. Children learn about road safety through discussion and demonstrations. They are securely strapped into pushchairs and car seats to extend their 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 The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues as she has attended additional training to cover this area of child care. She takes her responsibility seriously and carries out procedure such as recording existing injuries, therefore highly promoting children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy a good range of stimulating and interesting activities relevant to their age and ability. Children receive excellent support and enthusiasm from the childminder to extend their skills knowledge and development with all the resources, activities and equipment. They build self esteem and confidence to have a go and to play freely with activities that have already established as part of their on going development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interacted with sensitively and enthusiastically to promote their interest and intrigue. The childminder plays with the children, allowing them to lead the play but gives subtle challenges to them, extending their existing skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a clear understanding of the Birth to three matters framework, having attended additional training and established systems for monitoring and recording children's development as well as providing situations to progress their development further. Children's ongoing progress is effectively provided for by the childminder by using activities in the home, garden and outside the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's achievements are recorded and shared enthusiastically with the parents, who also share their children's achievement at home with the childminder. Therefore a true picture of the child's development emerges and is effectively used to promote their future development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children positively learn to value themselves and others, recognising and celebrating the importance of their differences as well as others in society. Children have access to a good range of resources that portray positive images of a diverse society. The childminder ensures children learn to ask questions openly about diversity to promote their understanding. Children's details are used effectively to ensure their individual needs are catered for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special need are supported appropriately by the childminder. She understands the demands of some children with special needs and how this may impact on the care of presently minded children and her own children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in a positive environment where acceptable behaviour is recognised with praise and encouragement and unwanted behaviour is distracted from and dealt with subtly and sensitively. The childminder's behaviour statement has a positive emphasis and reflects her good practice. Children learn about right and wrong through explanation and by the childminder being a good role model to the children.

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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 Parents have access to an extensive range of information about the childminder's service. Parents receive their own copies of policies and procedures to ensure that they are aware of the type of care offered to their children. Parents are requested to give consent for many aspects of care including emergency treatment and transportation, therefore providing the childminder with authorisation to carry out some important tasks. Parents are made aware of complaint procedures and how to contact Ofsted to make concerns known. Parents are encouraged to share information with the childminder regarding children's changing needs and family circumstances, to ensure the children receive the relevant care. Parents receive a daily contact book to inform them of their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has the relevant clearances to allow her to have unsupervised access to the children. Effective procedures are in place to ensure children do not have unsupervised access to any visitors, either in the home or when out of the setting.

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Organisation

Children are very settled and confident in the childminder's care. They are familiar with the setting and the routine, therefore allowing them to confidently make choices for themselves, however young. The childminder is eager to complete further training to those already attended to further improve the quality of the child care. Children's attendance is accurately recorded to show exactly when they are in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

Documentation and children's records are kept securely and safely by the childminder. Their records are only shared with authorised people on a need to know basis to ensure confidentiality, therefore promoting children's ongoing welfare.

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Organisation

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

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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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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 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): • revise the medication consent system to protect children from misuse of medication

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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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