Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335863 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Teresa Evelina Coleman 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 good. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and one year-old old daughter in Thamesmead in the London borough of Greenwich. She childminds at another premises nearby. One of her assistants lives at this premises. The childminder works with two assistants. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises is located close to schools and parks. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. When one assistant is present the childminder may care for a maximum of seven children and when two assistants are present the childminder may care for a maximum of eight children. There are currently five children on roll aged five years, four years, three years and five months, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is working towards becoming part of the Greenwich childminding network.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean, hygienic environment where they are able to play, rest and relax comfortably. They are beginning to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through well planned daily routines. For example, they understand that they should wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet and after playing outside. Children are learning to take some responsibility for their own personal care. For example, the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet and reminds them to do so by putting a sign up in the bathroom and providing liquid soap.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder protects children from the risk of the spread of infection and illness by maintaining good standards of hygiene and by ensuring that effective procedures are in place. For example, each child has their own individual sleep mat and bedding that is stored in labelled containers. Children are also protected from the risk of illness as the childminder has a written sick children policy that requests that parents keep their children at home if they are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from a good range of appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which contribute to their good health and all-round physical development. This includes a variety of indoor activities, for example, action songs, singing and dancing to music and doing physical exercises, for example, jumping and stretching. Children enjoy regular opportunities to use outdoor play equipment in the garden including a slide, seesaw, rocker and tricycles. This means that they are able to practise and develop their physical skills. Children's health is further promoted because the childminder understands the benefits of fresh air and exercise. She understands that walking is a valuable form of exercise. Consequently, the children's routine includes regular walks, for example, to local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's good understanding of healthy eating benefits children because she is aware of the need to include fresh fruit and vegetables in their diets. Children enjoy relaxed sociable meal-times and are able to chat to each other and to the childminder and her assistants while they are eating. Meals are home-cooked and nutritious, for example, on the day of the inspection children enjoyed a meal of chicken with rice and mixed vegetables. Children are provided with healthy snacks, for example, fresh fruit. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes, respects all cultural and religious dietary requirements and seeks information about any allergies. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day and this helps them to stay healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of the need to provide a safe environment indoors, outdoors and when taking children out. Children are cared for in a generally safe environment where most risks have been identified and minimised. For example, medication and sharp knives are safely stored and inaccessible to them and safety gates are in place at the top and bottom of the stairs. In addition, she promotes children's safety and security in the garden by ensuring that all fences are secure. However, there are currently some cleaning materials in the bathroom

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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 that are accessible to children and two electrical sockets that are not protected with socket covers. Children are generally able to move safely and confidently around the setting. As a result, they are gaining in independence. Children's safety is promoted through the childminder's understanding of appropriate supervision levels. For example, she supervises children on the stairs, reminds them to be careful when they go upstairs to watch a television programme and is always with them when they are playing in the garden. In addition, she ensures children's safety while lunch is being cooked by organising activities upstairs at this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, effective fire procedures, including emergency evacuation procedures, are in place. For example, smoke alarms are fitted on each floor and maintained in working order. The childminder practises fire drills with the children so that they are learning how to keep themselves safe if there is a fire. However, although the childminder has a fire blanket, it is not fixed on to the wall. This means that it cannot be used effectively in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is child-friendly and welcoming and comfortable. It is enhanced by the use of Winnie the Pooh transfers and examples of children's work on the wall. Consequently, children comfortable and at home in their surroundings. They have opportunities to make choices because they have easy access to a range of age-appropriate toys and activities, including a selection of books. The childminder ensures that she varies the selection of activities regularly so that children experience a balanced range of activities that promote their development and learning in all areas. Toys and equipment are of good quality and regularly checked to ensure that they are in good condition. This helps to ensure the children's ongoing safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare because she understands her child protection responsibilities. She has drawn up a clear written policy that details the action to take in the event of a serious concern about a child in her care. As a result, children are well protected from harm and the risk of abuse. All necessary documentation is in place and includes relevant contact details for Social Services and Ofsted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's home because she and her assistants are very friendly and welcoming towards them and greet them warmly as they arrive. Children obviously feel comfortable and make themselves at home, for example, as they relax on the floor on cushions and watch a children's TV programme together. Children's language skills are developing very well because the adults encourage the children to talk about what they are doing, thus extending their vocabulary. For example, they ask them about the puppets they are making and encourage them to name colours and to count. The children clearly greatly enjoy their activities and chat happily to the adults, including the inspector. They are very keen to tell her which activities they enjoy best! Children participate enthusiastically in making puppets from wooden spoons and are delighted with the end results. Children's confidence

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and self-esteem are further promoted because adults regularly praise them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder draws up a written plan of activities called 'our day' that covers all areas of children's play and development. This helps to ensure that children are provided with an interesting balanced day. This includes free play, structured activities, children's TV programmes,

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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 story and songs, outdoor play, computer and quiet activities. The daily routine also includes time for rest, meals and snacks. Children benefit from the excellent one to one attention the adults give them and their understanding of the varying play needs of children of different ages. The childminder and her assistants are skilled at engaging children in meaningful play and give them good opportunities to make independent choices, as well as to take part in more structured adult-initiated activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are flourishing in a loving environment because the adults know them well and clearly enjoy their company. Excellent interactions between the children and the adults as they play together ensure that children are developing effective communication skills, together with good self-esteem. Children enjoy affectionate relationships with the childminder and her assistants who value and respect them as individuals and are sensitive to their needs. Children are becoming confident because the adults ensure that they give them regular praise and encouragement, for example, as they finish their puppets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective links are maintained with parents through regular discussions about all aspects of their children's care. This provides parents with information about their child's day and their activities. Children benefit from this as it maintains a consistent approach to all aspects of their care which helps ensure that they feel settled and secure. The childminder keeps individual folders for each child. These contain dated examples of their work and provide parents with a record of their child's progress and achievements. Parents are also well-informed about the setting because the childminder has drafted some policies and procedures which provide clear information about the service she provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported sensitively while at the setting as the childminder understands the importance of valuing and respecting all children as individuals and of meeting their needs accordingly. As a result, children are becoming confident and developing good self-esteem. Children are beginning to learn to respect others in the community because the childminder helps children to value eachother's similarities and differences. She does this by providing resources and activities for them that teach them about other cultures. These include food, celebrations and cultural events, books, dolls and puzzles. All children have equal access to all provision. Consequently, they are encouraged to develop non-stereotypical views about gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and or disabilities. She is aware of the need to provide an all-inclusive service where all children are welcome and has attended relevant training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder is consistent and has realistic expectations of their behaviour. She sets clear limits for them which she re-inforces regularly. These include not running around indoors, jumping on the furniture or using bad language. Children are learning to understand right from wrong and are becoming self-disciplined because the childminder and her assistants encourage good behaviour by being good role models for them. They also promote positive behaviour through praise, talking and listening to the children and

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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 giving them attention when they behave well. However, there is currently no system in place to record significant incidents relating to behaviour and the use of physical intervention.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is well-maintained, stored confidentially and is easily accessible. Most necessary records are kept and are accurate and up-to-date. However, there is currently no system in place to record significant incidents relating to behaviour and the use of physical intervention.

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Organisation

The setting is warm and welcoming and enhanced through the use of Winnie the Pooh pictures and transfers and examples of children's work. Good play space is available in the well equipped living room and the upstairs rooms are used for naps, quiet activities, watching children's TV programmes and using the computer. Children are able to move around the setting confidently. They enjoy regular opportunities to make choices and select activities for themselves because of the effective organisation of resources. They benefit from regular routines which include time for meals, rest and outdoor play. The children are happy and settled and enjoy their time at the setting.

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Organisation

Overall, the provider 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 good. 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):

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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 • improve safety by fixing the fire blanket on to the wall, ensuring that all electrical sockets are made safe and by making toilet and bathroom cleaners inaccessible to children • ensure that there is a system in place to record any significant events relating to behaviour and the use of physical intervention.

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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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