Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315203 Inspection date 04 September 2006 Inspector Alison Joan Wadley

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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 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 first registered in December 2005. She lives close to Walworth Road in South East London. The childminder lives in a two bedroom local authority owned terraced house with garden. She lives with her husband and young son and is registered to care for 1 child between 1 and 8 years old. She currently has one child on roll who attends part time. The childminder has a Christian background.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 children benefit from simple health and hygiene matters such as washing their hands and face after they have eaten but some procedures such as nappy changing are not of a consistently high standard. The childminder is trained in first aid and demonstrates confidence in caring for children if they are unwell. Accidents are generally kept to a minimum because the childminder carefully supervises children. She has a clear record system to record any accidents should they occur. The children are well nourished and have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents to discuss children's individual needs. The children have regular water and are encouraged to join in with regular outdoor and physical play to support their growing bodies, for example at the park close to the childminder's house. They are able to rest and sleep according to their needs.

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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 welcoming, secure and generally safe environment and the childminder's policies and procedures work well in practice. For example, she has stair gates to prevent access to unsuitable areas and provides a clear space for them to play. There are, however, some plug sockets still within children's reach. Despite this the children use suitable and safe equipment which is clean and of good quality. Children are well supervised at all times including when on outings and visiting parks and childminder clubs. They are kept safe from fire because the childminder has an accessible fire blanket and smoke alarms and a full and practiced escape route in case of emergency. The children are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and has shared this information well with parents. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder plans generally well for children's activities which are flexible to the children's interests and moods. She gets to know the children well, through clear settling in procedures and by observing the children and communicating with their parents. The children are happy, feel at home and settled at the childminder's home and have good relationships with her own child. They are able to choose from a generally good level of resources, with increasing confidence but have less opportunity to develop their creative and sensory development. Despite this, the children draw, sing along to tapes and use books to good effect with the childminder. Activities are generally varied to keep the children occupied and at times include visits to local childminding clubs. They particularly enjoy and benefit from the freedom gained by trips to the local park.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children well, by talking and listening to them and, as a result, the children are treated with equal concern in an environment which respects their individuality. This is further supported by the childminder who is caring and who works well with parents to meet individual children’s needs to ensure they are fully included. The childminder understands that some children may have different and special needs and welcomes children into her home, working alongside parents, to provide consistent care. Children at the childminder's home are generally busy and behaviour is good as a result. The children feel a sense of belonging and know the routine. For example they fetched their own little plastic chairs without the childminder asking them at snack time. The children respond well to clear explanations and encouragement and understand the childminder's boundaries. She encourages good communication

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Helping children make a positive contribution

between herself and parents and they give positive feedback, so that children feel comfortable and settled in a home from home environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is generally well organised and provides a clear routine for children's eating, free play and outings. This helps the children to settle and know what to expect. Children are supervised and well cared for in an environment which is generally safe and well managed. They are increasingly able to initiate their own play and learning and feel very much at home with the childminder and her family. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate. She understands and keeps appropriate records and policies such as a register and children's details, required for the efficient and safe management of her business. She regularly shares these with individual children's parents, to ensure communication is open. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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): • ensure consistent attention to health and hygiene matters and in particular to nappy changing procedures • ensure children are not exposed to hazards such as exposed sockets at the premises • provide more varied experiences to support children's creativity and sensory development • provide a complaints log for parents which is available to see on request

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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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