Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335739 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2007 Inspection date Pamela Patricia Paisley 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 2006, she lives with her two children age four years in Bromley, Kent. Two rooms in the childminder's home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years and two children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through regular trips to local parks, indoor adventure play areas, and bike rides. They walk to and from school on a daily

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 basis and attend out of school activities such as swimming and ballet. Children are encouraged to eat healthily as they help to wash, peel and cut up strawberries, pears, apples and raspberries at snack times. They help themselves to juice and have discussions with the childminder about their favourite fruit. Children eat varied and nutritious meals and the childminder introduces new foods so that children get used to different tastes. A weekly menu is displayed for parents so that they are aware of the types of food their children are eating on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good understanding of good hygiene practice. They know they need to wash their hands when they come home from school and before and after meals. They are independent in their personal care and the use of individual towels means they are protected from cross infections. The childminder has good procedures in place for protecting children from illnesses and up to date medication and accident records ensures their health needs are met.

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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 safe home environment, which is organised so that they can play comfortably and safely in all rooms used. They play with well maintained toys and play materials that meet their individual needs. The childminder monitors children’s use of equipment to ensure that they are suitable and encourages them to pick toys up from the floor so they do not hurt themselves. Children begin to learn the importance of keeping themselves safe outdoors as they practise road safety to and from school. The childminder uses named wrist bands on trips, in the event of a child becoming lost and appropriate use of car seats and seat belts, means children are kept safe on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective safety devices throughout the home such as smoke alarms, door stops, cupboard locks and a stair gate. Children are helped to learn about fire safety through discussions about escape plans with the childminder. She is active in keeping up to date with fire prevention procedures by attending a relevant training course. Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding and up to date knowledge of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that promote their development needs. Regular outings to the park for a picnic, local library and indoor adventure play areas means they are able to mix with their peers and enjoy the outdoors. The childminder uses a weekly activity plan so that the children get a good variety of different experiences. Activity plans are displayed for parents so they know what their children will be taking part in on a daily basis. Children have easy access to a good selection of play materials and resources which support their language, mathematical thinking and imagination. Children delight in dressing dolls, doing number puzzles, and playing board games with each other. They have opportunities to be creative through experimenting with plasticine, play dough and listening and dancing to music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good relationships with the childminder because she divides her time and attention equally between them. She supports younger children as they complete activity books

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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 and plays a game of connect four with older children. Children receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements, which helps them become confident and gain good self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about the wider society as they celebrate festivals and look at different cultures and traditions using books and having discussions with the childminder. They play with a good range of puzzles, dolls, play people and books that help to develop their understanding of diversity. Children enjoy visiting local theatres, recycling units and fund raising events at their school. This gives them an awareness of their local community. The children are bilingual and the childminder supports them by speaking to them in their home language. The childminder uses a settling in period to learn about children's individual needs. She encourages them to bring a favourite toy and introduces them to her own family and other minded children, helping them feel more at home and comfortable in her care. The childminder has a clear understanding of providing for children's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good behaviour is promoted because there are consistent and realistic boundaries in place, which helps children learn right from wrong. They are encouraged to be kind to one another, share and take turns when playing. The childminder explains why they should not jump on furniture or shout at each other, giving them a clear understanding about acceptable behaviour and what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents. They are fully informed about her routines and child care practices. The childminder agrees a suitable time with parents to exchange information about their children's well being, meals they have eaten and activities they took part in throughout the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's home is welcoming to children. Resources and play materials are stored at children's level to encourage independence. The childminder organises her day to incorporate taking children to and from school, and providing activities during the day. She plans and provides stimulating activities and play opportunities that promote children's all round development. The childminder knows the children well and balances her time carefully to allow children to play and learn independently as well as providing activities which need her support.

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Organisation

Children's records are openly shared with parents and their contributions valued. The childminder offers a flexible service to parents taking into account their various working patterns. There are comprehensive policies and procedures in place that promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Policies are shared with parents and they have been provided with the name and address of Ofsted if they wish to report a concern. However there is no system in place to record complaints. 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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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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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): • devise a system to record complaints

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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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