Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY312061 Unique Reference Number 06 October 2006 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband in Central Brixton located in the London borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years all day and one child under five years after school. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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. Children are cared for in a warm clean home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. They automatically wash their hands when coming in from outdoors, after using the toilet and before meals. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands reduces the risk of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and yogurts encouraging them to develop healthy eating practices. Fresh drinking water is available at all times. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. There are effective storage procedures for foods provided by parents to prevent spoiling.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to take part in regular exercise that contributes to their good health. For example, they walk daily on school runs and regularly use the climbing equipment and swings at the nearby park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder ensures all records are appropriately maintained. However, has not yet attended first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment and have easy and safe access to a satisfactory range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. The childminder organises the indoor space effectively and children's creative work is displayed. Children have their own designated play room and those staying overnight have their own room. This allows them to move around freely, play safely and soft furnishing allows babies to crawl without hurting themselves. Appropriate beds and cots allows children to rest and sleep in comfort and safety. The childminder is vigilant about safety inside the home and on outings. She has taken positive steps to reduce all risks to children indoors. For example, safety gates prevent children having unsupervised access to the stairs and kitchen. Outdoors children are learning to keep themselves safe as they practice road safety. However, the greenhouse in the garden is not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to be follow if she had a concern about a child or an allegation was made against the childminder. For example, reporting to social services and Ofsted, and seeking advice/support from the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys and books and enjoy this time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active according to their needs and interests. Children speak openly and confidently about their day and themselves. They enjoy listening to stories and learn the meaning of words through the childminder's expressive reading. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, singing and role play. Daily routines such as school runs are used effectively to promote children's learning in areas such as counting and recognising different colours.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children make themselves at home confidently deciding what to do. They are well behaved and benefit from constant praise and encouragement and are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity. Their understanding of others and the local community is promoted through routine trips to children's groups, outings and the local market. However, they do not have access to resources that reflect positive images of the wider world. Although there are no children attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder demonstrated how she will assess the needs of a child to determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children and the childminder ensures that parents are kept informed about her policies and procedures. The childminder has taken steps to ensure that parents are provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment where they receive good support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children to initiate their own play and move around freely. Consistent daily routines and information kept about children ensures their individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training whenever she can to help her to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. For example, the childminder has attended the Introductory to Childminding Practice and food hygiene training. However, has not yet attended first aid training. All records are effectively maintained, easily accessible and filed to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

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 and parents share information about the children. Regular informal discussions with parents and care diaries are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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.

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Complaints 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): • attend an appropriate first aid course including training in first aid for babies and young children • make sure that the greenhouse is safe or inaccessible to the children • ensure children have access to a range of resources which reflect positive images of different cultures, gender and disabilities

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The quality and standards of the care

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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