Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY309358 Unique Reference Number 27 March 2007 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her husband in the London borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's flat is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years all day, and one child over five years before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local children's groups and takes children to the local parks.

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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 warm clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder's clear explanations ensures children understand why they need to wash their hands after playing outside, using the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing healthy eating habits from an early age. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. For example, children enjoy a range of fruits, vegetables and garden salads. Drinking water is readily available for children to help themselves. This encourages children to think about their personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that contributes to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies. For example, they dig in the sand and regular visits to the local park and children's groups where they use large climbing equipment and wheeled toys that improves children's physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there is a sufficiently stocked first aid box in place. The childminder ensures that all records such as accident and medication are in place and parents give prior written consent to seek emergency treatment and advice. This ensures that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

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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 home where risks are identified and minimised. For example, the childminder ensures that all potential hazards are inaccessible to the children and the garden is checked before use. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring children's safety and helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. Good routines and gentle reminders help children understand about safety. For example, children are encouraged to help tidy away equipment after use and regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so that they learn to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has all the required procedures and documentation in place. This supports children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They relate well to each other and benefit from socialising with other children through regular attendance at local children's groups. All children spend their time purposefully and become independent as their choose between a variety of activities. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities and

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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 promote younger children's learning. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, junk modelling, painting, role play and playing musical instruments. They join in action songs that help them to develop their coordination. Children explore and experiment through a range of well planned activities such as making jelly, mixing cornflour with water, playing with sand and planting flower seeds. This gives children lots of sensory experiences. The childminder talks and listens to children at all times and takes an interest in their play. The children are confident and willing to initiate play at all times. A good balance of adult and child initiated games help children make progress in all areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a sense of belonging. They enjoy respectful relationships with adults and each other and talk happily about their home life and things that are important to them. Children learn about their local community through routine outings to the park and the library. However, their understanding of diversity is not sufficiently promoted within the childminder's home. For example, there are no resources that positively reflects different cultures, ethnicity, gender or disabilities. Although there are no children currently attending that have learning difficulties and/or disability, the childminder was able to demonstration how she would determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning important social skills. Set boundaries and effective behaviour management strategies according to the children's age and stage of development, encourages children to learn to share and take turns and develop an understanding of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children. The childminder completes a day book for parents giving information about their child, their daily activities, food intake and sleep. This helps provide children with consistent care between home and the childminder. Parents are not provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures. However, the childminder has a positive attitude to implementing this.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment where they receive good 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 games. Information kept about children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. A care diary and regular informal discussions with parents ensures continuity of care for the children. All records are accurate and up to date and most policies and procedures are in place. However, the childminder has not yet developed her complaints procedures.

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Organisation

The childminder attends regular training whenever she can. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. For example, the childminder holds a level three qualification in early years care and education and has attended training in food hygiene, the Birth to three matters framework and developing inclusive practice.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to plan and provide a suitable range of activities and resources, attend appropriate first aid training, update her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and ensure that all records and documentation relating to childminding activities are in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made significant improvements which promotes children's welfare, health and learning. She has attended appropriate training in first aid and child protection, and has updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. All records and documentation are in place and readily available for inspection. This ensures children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded. A range of stimulating activities and resources provided by the childminder has improved children's care and learning.

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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 satisfactory. 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 that parents receive sufficient information about the complaints procedures • provide a range of resources that reflect positive images of different culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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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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