Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY319647 Unique Reference Number 08 November 2006 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her eight year son in a one bedroom ground floor flat, situated in the Tulse Hill Area in the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole of the flat is used for childminding purposes. The flat has access to a garden but children are not permitted to use it..

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged under one, four days of the week. She takes children to the local library, toddler group and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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. The good health and well being of children is promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and by taking appropriate measures when children are ill. For example, the childminder washes her hands thoroughly before she prepares the baby's milk, she ensures children's dummies are washed when they fall on the floor and she wipes the table connected to the highchair with an anti-bacterial wipe before use. Further to this, she covers an area of floor in the living room with material which the baby uses to play on and ensures that shoes are removed before approaching this area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate care if an accident occurs. The childminder has completed a suitable first aid training course, keeps a first aid kit nearby, and ensures accident records are shared with parents to keep them fully informed. However, the childminder has not sought parent's permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice to ensure children receive appropriate care if a more serious accident occurs. Although the childminder has not administered any medication to children in her care, she demonstrates a good understanding of the procedures to follow with regards to administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food which is nutritious and complies with their dietary requirements. The childminder provides the minded child with organic meals as agreed with the parents with whom she works closely with.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to get fresh air as the childminder takes them out daily. They are taken to the local park and to toddler groups.

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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 safe and secure environment where they are well supervised by the childminder. Despite the space available being of a relatively small area, the childminder has organised this very well, ensuring that children are able to move around safety and securely. Equipment and play materials are safe and in good condition and are appropriate for their purpose. Children are able to help themselves to a selection of suitable play material from low level storage units and they are able to eat and sleep comfortably.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is mostly protected and maintained because the childminder has taken positive steps within the home to protect them from harm. For example, cupboard and fridge locks are in place, safety gates prevent children having access to stairs and there are working smoke alarms in place. However, she has not yet developed an emergency evacuation procedure which children would follow in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise and record any concerns she may have. The childminder keeps relevant literature

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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 and guidance about child protection issues for reference, and knows what to do if she is worried about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and have settled very well with the childminder. Young children feel secure due to the childminder's ability to create a calm and relaxing environment where they receive a great deal of affection. Children enjoy a good range of experiences both in the home and when visiting the local parent and toddler group and the library with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The baby's exploration and movement is encouraged well through play materials set out on the floor, the childminder encourages him to follow her whilst she pulls a musical bus with lights. Children benefit from the very good interaction with the childminder, who sits on the floor playing with the baby. Language is encouraged because the childminder talks, reads and sings constantly to the children. She tells the baby what she is doing and asks him questions, the baby responds through laughter and by making contented gurgling sounds. Children are given cuddles and hugs by the childminder, thus providing them with comfort and security and a sense of well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs such as their sleeping and eating patterns, likes and dislikes are well known by the childminder and are suitably met when caring for the children on a daily basis. The childminder has got to know minded children very well in a relatively short period. Children receive continuity of care because the childminder works in partnership with parents, they share information with each other on a daily basis. Some opportunities are provided for children to learn about diversity through the resources that the childminder provides, such as dolls and books, however, these are somewhat limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of positive methods of guidance to use when managing children's behaviour. She believes in celebrating children's achievements by praising positive behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has only recently started childminding even though she has been registered for over a year ago. She has already started to develop some aspects of good childminding practices especially as to the way she interacts with the minded children. She has in place all of the relevant documents, though some lack the relevant detail and she works in partnership with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met.

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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 A well organised environment has been created which supports children's care, learning and play needs. Children are settled, very happy and relaxed in this environment and are gaining confidence and a sense of belonging and well-being.

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Organisation

There are a few weaknesses that have been identified, such as the lack of a fire evacuation plan and limited resources relating to diversity. She is however keen to attend future child care training in order to further continue to develop her childcare practice and to promote and safe guard children's welfare in all areas of their development.

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Organisation

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): • obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • devise and practise an emergency escape plan • provide a range of resources that positively promotes diversity

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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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