Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY307322 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2006 Inspection date Linda Margaret Nicholls 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 is registered to care for four children and is currently minding two children under eight years, one of whom is full time. Overnight care is not provided.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and four children aged 18, 15, 13 and 11 years in Erith, the London Borough of Bexley. The downstairs living room is used for childminding and there is a secure and safe garden for outside play. The childminder walks to and from the local school, library and play park.

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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 developing a basic understanding of personal health and hygiene practice through a range of everyday experiences. The childminder ensures play equipment is clean so that the risk of cross infection to children is minimised. Older children are independent in their self care and are reminded to wash their hands when they use the toilet. Younger children are changed in the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity within the home as they use the baby walkers and negotiate furniture. They learn to balance and develop their muscles. They develop positive attitudes to exercise with daily walks to the school, the local library or play park. Children know how to relax. They sit quietly and look at books when they need a rest or request the childminder sings a favourite song before they take a nap.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's appetites are encouraged with foods provided by their parents. The childminder is not involved with food preparation for the children she minds. Children have access to drinks provided by their parents and water, if they request it, throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have an infection do not attend which prevents the spread of contagious ailments. All required documents are maintained and emergency contact numbers are carried outside the home. Parents are informed and prepared for emergencies for example when children may be taken ill or there may be a serious accident requiring emergency treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure family home. The floor space in the living area is uncluttered and free standing play equipment is accessible to the youngest child. Windows are heavily draped although these provide basic light and adequate ventilation. There is a secure and neat garden although this is not used during the winter.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select from a variety of good quality toys and equipment such as baby walkers, games, shape sorters and battery operated toys borrowed from the local toy library. Items are exchanged regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children cannot access rooms or items that could be dangerous such as cleaning liquids and powders because the childminder ensures the kitchen is gated when young children are present. She routinely completes an informal risk assessment of her home. Children learn to keep themselves safe by tidying away toys when they have finished playing with them. A fire safety officer has visited the home, safety recommendations are in place and an exit plan has been considered. Parents are aware of the childminder's safety procedures. She ensures public liability insurance is current.

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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 Children feel secure and play safely as they are closely supervised at all times both in the home and at outside venues. Road safety habits are reinforced as the childminder reminds children of them as they walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Parents are informed of her professional role and she ensures her practice confirms to local authority procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are supported and engaged as they explore toys from the toy library. Children twist and turn the knobs and dials of battery operated toys. Children are developing confidence in their achievements because the childminder provides equipment that is easily accessible for them to explore. Children make purposeful and independent choices regarding their play. The childminder plans activities such as making greeting cards for Christmas. The childminder is considering further study of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children extend their developing physical skills, pushing and pulling a baby walker round the room negotiating obstacles, balancing and developing their muscles. They take regular daily walks to and from school or the local park. The childminder talks to the children throughout their time with her. She asks children to sing a song which they do, very, very quietly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive consistent guidance from the childminder encouraging them to care for others, respect differences and to keep themselves safe. The childminder is aware to provide activities that include all children, including children with learning difficulties. They attend social events and weekly community clubs so that children take part in activities during Black History Month. They have self control and understanding of right and wrong. They know to tidy toys away when they have finished with them. Children begin to understand their own personal time and history as the childminder reminds them of trips to the local library where they meet other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children show a developing confidence, because they are encouraged to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a positive attitude towards physical differences and cultural diversity. She provides a modest range of equipment such as books, games and small world toys for children to explore their ideas of the wider world. Children receive consistency of care because individual requirements and family preferences are recorded and discussed at the initial meeting with parents. The childminder is aware of the supportive role she may offer to families with learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and learn to control themselves. They know the childminder's ground rules because she gives a clear firm 'No' to unwanted behaviour. Children take care of toys and equipment tidying away items as they finish playing with them and they do not jump on furniture. Children learn to share as they play together and when they meet others socially.

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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 They use social conventions waving goodbye to people who leave. Discussions of behaviour management methods are undertaken at an initial meeting with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is satisfactory. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept adequately informed of all relevant policies and procedures. Written agreements and individual details are recorded and held securely. For example, GP details, medical information and those adults identified to collect children are recorded. Signed permissions are held as part of the contract and daily information is exchanged ensuring potential concerns can be resolved immediately. The childminder is aware to maintain a record of complaints for future inspection.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children show a developing confidence and sense of belonging. Children's imaginations and skills are stimulated and engaged because inviting equipment is provided to meet their individual abilities. The childminder is to consider further training to include the Birth to three matters framework and an NVQ3 child care qualification.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation to a satisfactory standard. Records and information are securely held and available for inspection. General information for parents is held in a folder. Registered ratios are maintained and the signed record of attendance notes when children are present and why they are absent. The childminder holds a current certificate in first aid for children and babies. The registration document is displayed when she is minding. She is aware to inform parents and the registering body of any changes to her circumstances that may affect the welfare of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection actions were given to increase play resources and activities in line with the Birth to three matters framework, ensure children play safely in the home and garden, gain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to keep a register and to devise a system for recording complaints made by parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children play safely as the kitchen is gated, the garden has been cleared and a fire officer has visited and recommendations have been fitted. Children are provided with continuity of care with written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment given by parents. Children play with additional play resources borrowed from the toy library such as Lego bricks, shape sorters and baby walkers which are directly accessible to them. Children benefit from improved organisation systems which include use of an NCMA record of attendance and a record of complaints.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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

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 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): • consider further training to include the Birth to three matters framework and NVQ3 child care qualification.

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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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