Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285807 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi 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 2004. She lives with her two children aged seven and 11 years old. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Addiscombe. All of the house is used for childminding, with the downstairs the main area used for play. A garden is available for outdoor play. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years old, and there are currently two children under eight and one child aged over eight years old on roll.

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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 regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy walking the dog, riding bikes and going swimming every week. They rest and sleep according to their individual needs and routines. The childminder provides children with varied, freshly prepared meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs. Children talk about foods that are good for you. They enjoy growing their own herbs, helping prepare their own pizzas and making home-made fruit juice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand simple good hygiene practices when the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after they use the toilet or before they eat. The childminder takes precautions such as using a mat for changing nappies and washing her hands straight afterwards. This all helps protect children from the risk of cross-infection. The childminder keeps appropriate records about children's health needs, any accidents they have and any medicine they need to be given, which protects their health and ensures parents are kept informed. She can respond quickly to deal with any minor injuries and accidents as she has an up to date first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, family environment where they feel comfortable and at home. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to identify and reduce any potential hazards. For instance, she restricts access to areas of the house such as the conservatory and makes sure all cleaning materials are kept out of children's reach. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe when the childminder talks to them about road safety and 'stranger danger'. They choose from a good variety of toys and play materials for indoor and outdoor play, that are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder checks toys regularly for damage and keeps items with small parts out of the reach of younger babies. This helps ensure children can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally protected from the risk of being exposed to harm from a fire, because the childminder has a fire blanket and smoke alarms in place. She has a written emergency evacuation plan, but has not yet practised this with the children to ensure they can act quickly if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and knows what to do if she is worried about a child. She has a written child protection policy and shares this with parents before children start.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and content at the childminder's home, where they are included as part of the family. They develop close bonds with the childminder, who is warm and affectionate

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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 towards them and attentive to their needs. Younger children enjoy cuddles, reassurance and lots of praise, which helps them feel secure and fosters their self-esteem. They happily smile and gurgle as they explore a treasure basket of suitable play materials, and try mimic the childminder's actions when she shows them how to make a toy make a noise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an established routine that includes the school run, daily outings and time to play at the childminder's home. They take part in a good variety of interesting planned experiences and spontaneous events that support their development and learning. They enjoy visits to toddler groups where they socialise with other children and take part in a music session, or a trip to the library to listen to stories. At the childminder's home children enjoy role play and imaginative games, building with construction, or art and craft. The childminder plans activities such as making cakes or growing plants, or a walk in the park to collect leaves to make a picture after a conversation about the changing seasons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder plans activities so that all children are included and can take part at an appropriate level. Older children enjoy taking responsibility and helping their younger friends. Children begin to value diversity when they talk to the childminder about the wider community, look at books, dress up in costumes from other countries, or try different food. The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to managing behaviour and ensures this is in line with parents wishes and views. This helps children behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from close working partnerships between the childminder and their parents. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and the childminder spends time each day keeping them up to date with activities, routines and events. Parents benefit from a range of written policies and procedures about the childcare provision, which keep them well informed. The childminder actively involves parents in the setting by inviting them to an annual performance put on by the children, such as their version of 'Room on the Broom'. The childminder has written contracts with all parents and most of the agreements made about the care of the children have been confirmed in writing. However, although parents have discussed arrangements for transport with the childminder and provided car seats for their children, they have not yet been asked to provide written confirmation of their consent for the childminder

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps all of the required records that contribute to children's health, safety and welfare, and has also produced a useful range of addition information, policies and procedures. Records are well organised and readily accessible for inspection. Space and resources are used appropriately to meet minded children's needs, for instance there is a room set aside for play and children can comfortably set up games and activities in this area. The childminder plans her day around the individual routines of the children, and takes steps to ensure she

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 provides a safe environment where children can move around freely. This all helps children make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided and promotes their wellbeing. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures. She now has a copy of the local guidance for childminders, which includes numbers of whom to contact if she has concerns about a child. This means she will be able to act promptly if required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has also updated procedures for administering medicine to ensure that records contain enough detail.

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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 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): • improve fire safety precautions by practising the emergency escape plan with minded children • request written consent from parents to transport children in the car

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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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