Ravensbourne

Inspection report for early years provision

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133797 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and seven years in Didcot in Oxfordshire. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children. Of these children, five are school age with two being aged over eight. The childminder takes children to and collects children from local schools and preschools.

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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. The childminder has a good awareness of health and hygiene issues, so children enjoy a clean and well-maintained home. Children understand simple health and hygiene practices. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The children access tissues for themselves and ask the childminder to dispose of these for them. This helps to develop children's self-care skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes the good health of the children. She has accident and medication records and written permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. She has a current paediatric first aid certificate, which ensures that she deals appropriately with any minor accidents. The childminder has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. The children have healthy options for snacks and meals and access drinks of juice or water when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular exercise and this helps them keep fit and healthy. They benefit from playing in the garden and outings to the park, as well as a range of activities indoors for example, dancing to music, to promote their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a high regard for safety, ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She is aware of potential hazards and minimises these so that the children are in a safe environment, for example by using safety barriers across the kitchen doorway and the bottom of the stairs. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe. The childminder reminds them of the consequences of their actions, for example, not sitting on chairs properly. Their safety is further promoted as they take part in regular evacuation drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. Children choose from a good range of toys, which they can independently access in the playroom. The childminder supports the children with their selection and accesses other items from the cupboard on request.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of safeguarding children issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have good relationships with the childminder. She is aware of individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive appropriate support. The children get on well

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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 together and are learning to share and take turns. They play happily together for example when planning and making a pretend picnic. They enjoy drawing and colouring, spending time making invitations for the picnic. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder for their efforts and achievements, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children take part in a variety of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending and their individual routines. The children make choices about what they would like to do and direct their own play. They confidently select items to play with from the range available in the playroom.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans and undertakes regular outings with the children, which promotes their social development. These include trips to the park, the local shops and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual needs of each child through discussions with parents. When planning, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability. She is aware of the routes of referral if she has concerns about a child in her care. The children are using a range of resources to learn about the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children’s behaviour appropriately for the age and stage of development of the children. She encourages good standards of behaviour, by the use of positive behaviour strategies, praise and encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder allows children to sort out minor difficulties themselves and knows when to step in and intervene. She deals quickly with any unwanted behaviour, giving the children clear explanations as to why it is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. She is flexible in her approach and supportive of parents, for example meeting the parent of one of the minded children at the local school to save time at the beginning and end of the day. Contracts are in place with some parents but not all. This means that not all parents are clear about the business arrangements. However, child detail forms are in place. The childminder speaks with parents daily to keep them informed about their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provider meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides. The childminder organises the space available very well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences. All areas of the house used for childminding are laid out so that the children can alternate easily between the playroom and dining room as play areas.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. However, she does not have written

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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 agreements with the parents of all of the children that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, the activities provided and business arrangements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was made. This was to extend the range of resources which reflects diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has extended the range of resources and activities to promote positive images of diversity and equality. These include a variety of books, dressing up clothes, small world people, puzzles. By providing such resources, the children learn about the diversity in society.

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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): • establish a written agreement with the parents of each child that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, the activities provided and business arrangements.

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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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