Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334012 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2007 Inspection date Lisa-Marie Jones 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 August 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and three years old. They live in a three bedroom house located in a quiet residential road in Addiscome, which is within the London borough of Croydon. They are close to local amenities and transport links. All of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and children have access to a secure garden area. The family pets are two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight. Currently there are three children on roll who are cared for on a part time and full time basis. The childminder makes use of local community resources such as the library and local toddler groups.

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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. Effective written health, safety and illness procedures are followed by parents and the childminder to promote the good health of children. All documentation for the recording of accidents and the administration of medication is recorded accurately. Parents have given their consent for the childminder to seek any emergency first aid treatment or advise should the need arise. She has a current first aid certificate and has a first aid kit that is also taken out on day trips.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy helping to set the table, prepare food and serve at meal times. All the meals are freshly prepared each meal time. Written menus show a variety of healthy and nutritious foods that comply with all the children's dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of physical activity which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy exploring in the garden, and using equipment such as the slide and wheeled vehicles. They go to local parks, indoor soft play centres and walk to the local library.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very safe and secure for the purpose and children have adequate space to play and rest in a welcoming environment. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the home and on outings by undertaking regular risk assessments and has put in place safety precautions such as socket covers and safety gates across the stairs and the kitchen, this ensures that children can move safely around the home. There are written fire evacuations procedures to follow and smoke alarms are in place at each level of the house. Written records show that children practise evacuations regularly and know when they "hear the beep beep sound they must go to the front door".

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have adequate space to play in comfortable surroundings. They have a room which is dedicated to them for play and have free access to the toys, which are stored in suitable systems. All toys are in good working order and are appropriate for all the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is undertaking training in child protection and demonstrates a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and understands her role and responsibilities in keeping children safeguarded. She has all the information she needs to contact the relevant agencies should she be concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met and their welfare is promoted. She gathers information from the parents regarding the children's needs before they start with her and ensures that

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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 they have a good settling period so they get to know each other well. She clearly demonstrates how the children have progressed in her care and what activities that she has done with the children to help them make progress in their overall development. The childminder is very calm and gentle with the children which helps build their self esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children initiate their play and enjoy taking part in a range of planned activities, such as creative activities, games, role play and cooking. They are taken out on a regular basis and during the school holidays they make sure that once a week they take a trip to somewhere special for the day. Children state that they "really like coming to the childminder's house". The childminder has some knowledge of the Birth to Three matters framework, but has not implemented it into her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice for all children is actively promoted as the childminder endeavours to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. She ensures that all children are included in activities and that they are encouraged to have a positive view of the wider community. She does this through providing a range of meaningful toys and activities and through discussions of festivals and extending on the children's experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very aware that some children have specific needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. She understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to promote their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder follows good written strategies for managing children's behaviour, which are agreed with parents. Children are reminded of the house rules as they are on display in their play areas, therefore children's behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistent care between their parents and the childminder. The childminder ensures that parents are kept informed about the services that she provides by sharing her written policies and procedures and through talking to them at the end of each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is organised well and very welcoming and safe, which means that children are comfortable in their surroundings and they can access toys and resources independently to initiate their own play. The childminder attends regular training to develop her skills and knowledge in caring for minded children. She is very aware of where developments can be made to further improve the service that she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder has devised relevant written policies, procedures that all parents have access to. All records that are required for the safe and effective management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are in place and fully up to date. Parents are aware of the complaints procedures, however a log of complaints is not in place.

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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 Overall the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 and implement a complaints log • have regard for the Birth to Three Matters framework and implement it into childminding practice.

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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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