Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY260423 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2007 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 June 2003. She lives with her husband, who is her assistant and their two children aged nine and five years. They live in a residential area, within walking distance of local schools in the London borough of Croydon.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor of the property is the main area for minded children to use and they have access to the play room, kitchen/breakfast room, hallway and toilet. Sleeping facilities on the first floor may also be used for minded children needing to rest. The garden is currently unavailable for use by minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

At the time of the inspection the childminder was registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of these not more than two could be under the age of five years. There are currently two children on roll aged under eight years and two children aged over eight years.

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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 looked after in a warm and clean environment. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines, such as washing their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet and having their nappies changed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has clear and effective polices in relation to caring for sick children and acts in the children’s best interests if they are ill. The procedures in place for administering medication to children are effective, this safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating healthy meals and snacks including daily fresh and dried fruit. New and exciting fruits are tried regularly and the older children help the childminder to prepare these snacks. This helps children recognise foods that are good for them and helps them develop good eating habits. The childminder respects parental wishes and has a good understanding of individual dietary requirements; this ensures food meets the children’s individual dietary needs. Drinks of water are available throughout the day to ensure children do not become thirsty or dehydrated. Children are told of the benefits of drinking water as the childminder encourages them to enjoy their drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, such as visiting local parks. The childminder has a good understanding of keeping children healthy and of the benefits of children having regular physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Toys and resources are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable. Children can independently select from this range of toys, which gives them freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good routines and gentle reminders help children learn about safety within the setting. The children also benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers and safety gates are in place. Smoke alarms are in place on all levels of the property, but the fire blanket is not wall mounted as is required. This compromises fire safety arrangements. Minded children practise the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care in line with the latest government guidance. This supports children’s wellbeing.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. Children receive lots of affection from the childminder and respond well to the attention given to them. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has good knowledge of the children she cares for, which enables children to feel secure and comfortable. She has attended training on the Birth to three Matters framework and uses this training and her childminding experience to provide a good routine for the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children to make progress in their learning. Children are interested in the activities available and spend time concentrating on self-chosen activities such as playing with the train set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, baking, listening to music, dancing and dressing up. A good balance of indoor and outdoor activities, including visits to local parks and toddler groups helps children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and receive praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. This contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. Children are gently reminded to use their manners by saying please and thank you for example. The childminder has not cared for minded children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for such children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of other cultures through a range of resources and activities. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity and this encourages children to develop a greater understanding of the community they live in and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Regular informal discussions with parents and the use of communication books ensures a good two way flow of communication and continuity of care for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and has made available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supporting the children in their play and learning. The children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good

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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 adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to organise and pursue their own activities.

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Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare.

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Organisation

All mandatory records are in place, confidential and very well maintained. This ensures the safe and effective organisation of the setting in order to promote children's welfare.

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Organisation

As part of the inspection process a variation was agreed allowing the childminder to care for a maximum of three children aged under five years within the overall total of four children aged under eight years at any one time.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the previous inspection one recommendation was raised in relation to ensuring that information regarding the children is recorded separately to maintain confidentiality. This issue has now been rectified and therefore ensures that records remain confidential.

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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. 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 then 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 ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is wall mounted in the kitchen

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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 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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