Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253386 Unique Reference Number 30 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her teenage daughter in the London borough of Wandsworth. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding except for one bedroom.

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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. There are no children currently on roll. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler groups and takes children to the local parks and common.

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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. The childminder demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's good health. She describes how she encourages children to develop good hygiene practices by reminding children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has documentation in place to gain all information relating to children's health, such as allergies, medical history and prior written consent from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment. She has all the necessary records in place such as accident and medication records, and is able to explain her procedures for recording accidents and administering medication. The childminder has attended training in first aid and has devised written procedures for dealing with any accidents/injuries in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrated a clear awareness of the importance of providing lots of opportunities for children to take part in physical exercise which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. For example, the routine of the day includes a regular visit to the local park/common where they have opportunities to use the fixed climbing equipment, run around freely and play ball games. Indoors, children will take part in activities such as music and movement, younger children use a range of push and pull toys to encourage them to stand and develop their walking skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a weekly menu and intends to discuss food preferences with parents. She shows a clear understanding of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet with lots of healthy foods such as vegetables, yogurts and fresh fruits and the need for children to take regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that the available space is organised effectively to allow children to move around freely and children can safely access a satisfactory range of toys and equipment from toy boxes which she will ensure are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder indicates a number of ways in which she would promote children's awareness of keeping themselves safe, both indoors and outside the home. For example, she is vigilant about fire safety and has carried out a fire risk assessment of her home, devised fire drill records and emergency evacuation procedures which she intends to practise with the children and will keep a record. Outside the home, the childminder will ensure young children are appropriately secured in the buggy and older children hold hands when on outings. She intends to practise road safety, such as showing children how to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken positive steps to reduce most risks and hazards to children inside the home. For example, smoke alarms are in working order, a fire guard is in place to prevent children having access to the fire place and safety gates are on stairs and on the entrance to the kitchen. However, the lock on the front door is accessible to the children and children are

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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 able to leave the premises unsupervised. The bedroom not used for minding is accessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and knows what to do if she has a concern or an allegation is made against her. She has the child protection procedures for Wandsworth childminders in place and has devised her own procedures to share with parents. This contributes to her ability to safeguard and promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. The childminder ensures that the routine fits in with children's individual needs, allowing time for children to rest or be active according to their needs. She ensures children have opportunities to regularly socialise with other children as they visit the local children's group and participate in regular exercise both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, she intends to provide a range of creative activities such as model making with recycled materials to make models such as a farm or house. Children will use the end product for role play with small world play people, animals and cars. Children will have opportunities for gluing, painting and creating designs using different colour rice and pulses. The childminder intends to read stories to the children and listen to older children read.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder offers opportunities for children to learn about their local community as they visit local groups and go to the park. She has a range of resources to promote children's awareness of diversity such as dolls, small world play people, books and puzzles. Although there are no children attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder was able to explain how she would assess the needs of children to determine whether appropriate care could be provided. She has prior experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has recently attended training on special needs/disabilities and working with children with Downs Syndrome.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of behaviour management strategies appropriate to children's age and development. She places strong emphasis on politeness, being a good role model and encouraging children to behave well by using lots of praise and encouragement, giving clear explanations and a consistent approach to help children begin to understand right from wrong and why behaviour is not acceptable. She has clear written behaviour management procedures in place and will ensure that any incidents are recorded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has clear written policies and procedures in place to ensure parents are kept well informed about her childminding service. She ensures that her registration certificate is displayed and her last inspection report is available to parents. The childminder uses parent

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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 questionnaires in order to monitor the service and was able to explain her written procedures for parents who may wish to make a complaint. She has devised a complaints record in line with current regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she has an organised approach to her childminding role to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She organises her home so that children are able to be active or relax according to their individual needs, although, she has overlooked some safety aspects.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended an extensive amount of training to help her improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare in order to provide appropriate care and learning for the children and meet their individual needs. For example, she has attended training in child protection, Birth to three matters framework, food hygiene, health and safety and social and emotional development.

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Organisation

The childminder has established clear written policies and procedures to guide her in her practice. This ensures children's needs are met, all relevant information is shared with parents and ensures that they are kept well informed about her childminding service. All documentation is in place and readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

Overall, the evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop documentation to improve the organisation of care, attend appropriate training and provide a satisfactory range of equipment, including those that reflect positive images of diversity and improve children's access.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made significant improvements which promotes children's good health, care and learning. All documentation relating to childminding activities and required for the safe and efficient management of the childminding service has been implemented effectively. The childminder has attended appropriate training approved by the local authority. She provides a satisfactory range of resources and activities that are accessible and suitable for children under eight years which helps to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities and promotes their understanding of diversity.

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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

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 that the children cannot leave the premises unsupervised • make sure that the bedroom that is not used for childminding purposes is inaccessible to the children

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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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