Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338321 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Justine George 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 July 2006. She currently cares for four children on a full and part-time basis. Children are aged three, four and six. Care is provided during the day, before and after school, and during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her six-year-old daughter and her mother. They live in a three bedroom terraced house, located on the Mottingham/Chislehurst borders. The house is close to transport links, and local shops, schools and pre-schools are within easy walking distance. Children use the ground floor rooms and her daughters bedroom for their play space together with the safe and enclosed back garden. The only pets are two goldfish.

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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 have access to a clean and hygienic environment and good steps are in place to minimise the spread of infection. A written sickness policy is shared with parents to inform them of the childminder's responsibilities in excluding children when unwell. Other strategies to minimise the spread of infection include wiping noses and disposing of tissues, covering mouths when coughing and children wash their hands after going to the toilet. As a result, children learn good habits to promote personal hygiene. In the event of children needing medication, the childminder demonstrates good knowledge of the requirements set out in regulations of obtaining written parental consent and recording the required details. However, written parental consent is not obtained in the event of children needing emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are fed in line with parents wishes as the childminder ensures she is well informed of any dietary requirements and ensures these are adhered to. Children benefit as they receive a range of freshly prepared meals throughout the week. Weekly menus are devised to inform parents of the options available. Meals include home made pies, spaghetti bolognaise, and casseroles. All are served with fresh vegetables. Desserts include yogurts and fresh fruit. Children further benefit as healthy snacks are given throughout the day. Children enjoy strawberries and sit down to eat, to prevent choking. Regular drinks are also provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical wellbeing is well promoted as they have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. Windows are left open to ensure fresh air is circulated. Children use the garden in all weathers and are protected against the weather elements as suitable clothing is provided, or sun cream is applied. As a result, children explore a wide range of weathers and develop their large motor skills through the use of the good range of equipment available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a stimulating environment as the childminder has a selection of toys available for them to choose from. Toys are stored at floor level or in containers allowing children to see and reach them easily and safely. As a result, children are confident in choosing what they would like to play with. Children feel secure as they are familiar with the layout of the home, requesting to use the toilet and taking themselves off to other rooms. The settling in procedure further supports children's security as they familiarise with the new surroundings safe in the knowledge that parents are close by.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe and secure environment and good steps are in place to minimise hazards. Guards are in place to minimise children's access to the fire, plug sockets are covered and fire detection equipment of smoke alarms and a blanket is in place. Although, the fire blanket is not mounted. Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe as fire evacuation procedures are shared and practised with the them. Furthermore, discussions take place on outings to develop children's awareness of safety. For example, how to cross roads safely and protecting themselves from strangers.

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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 are supervised at all times where they can be seen or heard. On outings, children are securely transported in a vehicle with seat belts and appropriate seats. Children are cared for in line with parents wishes as written consent is obtained to take children on outings and in a vehicle. Steps are also in place to ensure children are collected by named adults only. Should an unfamiliar adult turn up, children are not allowed to go off with others until contact is made with parents. The premises are also safe and secure preventing children from leaving unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Vulnerable children are well protected as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. A written child protection policy is shared with parents to inform them of the childminder's role in protecting children from harm. Existing injuries are recorded and should children have any accidents whilst in the care of the childminder, these are recorded in the accident book and parents sign any entries made. Children are protected in the event of an accident as the childminder is aware of appropriate first aid treatment and steps are in place to update her training. Furthermore, the childminder has good knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the referral procedures in reporting concerns. Reference materials are also available to ensure correct procedures are followed, fostering children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good selection of toys and equipment suitable for their age and stage of development. Children benefit as they make independent choices of what they would like to play with, choosing items that interest them. Toys allow children to develop in all areas of learning and children enjoy using the range of equipment. Very young children have a good selection of toys to explore, for example posting boxes, pop-up toys and soft toys. Routines are also established to ensure individual needs are met. However, the childminder is not familiar with Birth to three matters to ensure the outcomes are fully promoted for young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources include a variety of small world play including dinosaurs, veterinary play, and dolls. As a result, children develop their imagination and act out real life experiences. Board games develop children's social skills as they share, take turns and learn how to follow rules. Children use various mark making media and creative messy play of gluing and manipulating play dough. As a result, children have opportunities to develop a variety of skills in a fun and enjoyable way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children enjoy using pens and make random marks selecting different colours to explore. This is extended further as children choose to select the exciting sticking resources and enjoy sorting through the range of shiny objects and pieces of material. The childminder supports children by encouraging them to make a face in which they count out two eyes and talk about facial features. Children show good concentration, enjoying the activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children very much enjoy playing with dolls and use the dressing up clothes and feeding equipment to care for them. Children try hard to put on dolls clothes correctly, putting legs into trousers, developing body awareness. Children act out real life experiences, pretending to feed the baby, putting the bottle into the mouth. Cuddles and kisses are given to dolls and as a result, children develop caring attitudes towards others.

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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 Children very much enjoy opportunities for outside play where they have access to a good range of toys to develop their large motor skills. Children play on the different sized slides, use the trampoline, various wheeled toys and ball games. Children also enjoy playing in the play houses or the shed with pretend food. Children benefit as they have the opportunity to experience a variety of weathers and learn how to care for living things. They are encouraged to plant, water seeds and have the opportunity for digging. As a result, children develop awareness of the natural environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities is well promoted in the setting as all children and families are welcome and the childminder ensures an inclusive environment is available to all. The childminder has no direct experience of caring for children with learning difficulties/disabilities, but would liaise with parents to find out about their individual needs and how best to support them in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's identity is valued as the childminder knows the children well and is aware of their interests and individual needs. The childminder is aware of children's culture, home language and religious beliefs and plans to celebrate a range of festivals to develop children's awareness of other cultures. Children benefit as they experience the multicultural society in which we live. Resources of books, play people and puzzles reflect positive images of culture. Furthermore, children are taken out to places of interest within the local community, including parks, shops and various groups. Gender stereotyping is minimised in the setting as children have equal access to the range of provisions on offer which are suitable for both boys and girls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they are stimulated and have a wide variety of experiences to explore. Positive behaviour is encouraged as the childminder praises children's efforts and listens to their comments, responding appropriately. As a result, children are made to feel valued, developing their self esteem and confidence. Should children challenge the boundaries, good strategies are in place suitable for their age and stage of development. Explanations are given to develop children's understanding and they are encouraged to think about the feelings of others. Children develop respectful attitudes towards others as they use their good manners of please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. They receive good written information about the setting as policies and procedures are shared. As a result, parents are aware of the childminder's responsibilities in caring for children. The childminder ensures professional relationships are developed by having the required paperwork in place. Furthermore, a complaints procedure is available, giving parents the opportunity to discuss their concerns with the childminder in the first instance. Details of Ofsted are also provided should parents want to take the concern further. Parents are well informed of how their children have been as regular verbal communication takes place on a daily basis.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has had the required checks carried out to ensure her suitability as have all adults in the home. Children are protected from un-vetted adults as they are never left alone with others at any time. In the event of an emergency, good procedures are in place in which children are left with vetted adults and parents are informed of such procedures.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates good knowledge of the National Standards as children benefit from attending the setting and most required documentation is in place. Although, written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is not in place. The childminder complies with her conditions of registration and the daily attendance record consolidates this. As a result, adult/ child ratios are adhered to. Furthermore, the registration certificate is displayed during hours of operation, in line with regulations. The childminder has the required public liability and car insurance in place to ensure the safe management of the setting.

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Organisation

Children benefit as the childminder organises her time to ensure individual needs are met and a range of experiences are provided to ensure children enjoy their time. Various meal options are available to children depending on the hours they attend. They have opportunities to visit places of interest and spend time in the home playing with the good range of equipment. Older children are collected from school and are taken back to the childminder's home where they have the opportunity to play before tea. As a result, children relax after the structure of the school day.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps her knowledge up-to-date by reading materials sent through from organisations and seeking information from the internet. However, the childminder is not familiar with Birth to three matters. The childminder has not yet attended the required level of training, although steps are in place to ensure such training is completed within the required time scale.

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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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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 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): • ensure written parental consent is obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure the fire blanket is mounted • develop knowledge of Birth to three matters to ensure the outcomes are promoted for 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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