Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337674 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2006 Inspection date Claire, Alexandra Parnell 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 has been registered since 2006. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. They live in a three bed-roomed town house in Sundridge Park, in the London Borough of Bromley. The house is laid out over five floors. Children play on the ground floor, kitchen/diner and first floor lounge. The second floor bedroom will only be used for sleeping purposes. Children do not have use of the top floor. There is direct access from the kitchen/diner to a rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of four children under eight any one time. Currently she minds a total of three children before and after school and occasional during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 benefit from good hygiene procedures. They receive positive encouragement to ensure their hands are washed before eating, after toileting and after outside play. Children are reminded to take their shoes off at the door to ensure that they play in a clean and hygienic environment. Children help themselves to necessary resources, such as tissues to protect others from cross infection. Children learn about the importance of ongoing hygiene such as cleaning teeth. They gain sensitive and effective support from the childminder to promote this further.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear understanding of procedures to promote children's ongoing health. Systems are in place to record accidents and medication administration appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about making good healthy choices of food and drink. They are offered a variety of food and drinks that promotes healthy eating and have clear explanations from the childminder about what is appropriate for their ongoing healthy diet. Children are encouraged to drink with their meals and have access to further drinks throughout their time at the childminder's house. Children are encouraged to try new tastes to develop their appetites but have their preferences taken into account. Children learn about the consequences of eating too much sugary foods through positive discussions at meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for rigorous exercise whilst with the childminder. They walk to and from school on a daily basis in order to take in fresh air. They regularly access the garden in fine weather and often make trips to the local park to use the open space and equipment to extend their skills and release excess energy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment. They access well maintained and suitable areas for play. They are aware of where they are allowed to play and areas that are not suitable, such as the top two floors. Children safely negotiate the stairs in the childminder's home. The childminder assesses children's abilities and changes the play space according to their age and stage of development. The childminder's home is made secure through effective locking devises and security systems within the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make good use of appropriately sized and accessible equipment, toys and resources. Clear floor space and table space is available to enable children to choose where to play. Children are aware of tidying away after themselves so that others do not trip over play equipment. Children can safely access the activities for themselves from suitable storage areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a good understanding of safety. The childminder discusses and demonstrates to children the importance of road and car safety whilst walking and travelling to and from school. She ensures children benefit from relevant car seats and use seat belts appropriately. Children's

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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 safety is promoted in the event of an emergency evacuation where they can leave the premises quickly and safely from two separate exits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and have their welfare promoted due to the childminder's clear knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a relaxed, informal, friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the childminder's home. They are very settled and confident in their surroundings. Children choose freely from a good range of relevant activities for their age and stage of development. They enjoy playing in groups or games in pairs such as board games. The childminder fully encourages children's participation in social activities. Children have free access to creative activities such as pens and paper to enable them to fulfil their preferences. The childminder knows the children well, building close and trusting relationships with them. The children feel confident to relay difficult information to the childminder who supports them through discussions and explanations. Children's concerns and problems are solved in a sensitive manner, giving children the confidence and building their self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not at present care for younger children. She is not fully aware of the Birth to three matters framework, therefore younger children's ongoing development is not fully promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is promoted well, due to the childminder's knowledge of each child's background and the respect that is shown for their characters, personalities and individual needs. The childminder uses relevant information to give the children good levels of support, therefore developing a pride in themselves. Children have access to some resources that portray positive images of today's society. Therefore children develop an understanding of people' differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are welcomed into the childminder's care. She understands the need to gain as much information about the child to ensure their needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards rewarding and praising children's behaviour. The childminder's written behaviour management statement positively reflects her practice. Children behave very well in her care, demonstrating their understanding for good manners. These manners are highly recognised and children are praised in front of their parents for their positive behaviour. Therefore children's self esteem is raised even higher.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates her clear understanding for a positive relationship and partnership with parents. A good level of relevant information is exchanged between the childminder, the parents and school to ensure children's continuity of care is promoted to a high level. Parents

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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 have access to a comprehensive portfolio of information, policies and procedures. Therefore they are reassured of the service and care that their children will receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has relevant cleared checks and has attended relevant training to enable unsupervised access to children. The childminder continually promotes children's welfare by ensuring children are in her care continuously and are never left with unauthorised people.

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Organisation

The childminder is very organised, providing consistent care. Therefore children are very content and happy in her care. The childminder provides a flexible service to allow for changing parent's and children's needs. All children's attendance is accurately recorded showing when they are in her care. The childminder is committed to providing a developing service by attending ongoing training courses to improve her service further, such as supporting children's language and communication and their special needs.

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Organisation

All documentation is kept secure and safe. The childminder is fully aware of promoting confidentiality with regards to children's and parent's details.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 requires the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 • develop an understanding and knowledge of The Birth to Three Matters Framework to promote the ongoing development of young 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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