Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340628 Unique Reference Number 05 March 2007 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge 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 September 2006. She lives with her husband and two boys aged six and nine years in a large extended house in Welling in the Borough of Bexley. The whole of downstairs is used for childminding purposes along with the first floor bedrooms for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a an elderly pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children under five years all of whom are part time. The childminder's husband is registered to assist with caring for the children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health is well promoted. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained with good cleaning and hygiene routines in place to protect children from germs and infection. For example, work surfaces, high chairs and floors are cleaned regularly with anti bacterial spray. Children are learning good personal hygiene by being encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet, playing in the garden and before meal times. An effective sick child policy ensures that children with sickness, diarrhoea and infectious diseases are cared for at home to prevent the spread of infection. Medication and accident records are appropriately maintained although the childminder does not have parent's written consent for seeking emergency medical advice. She is currently waiting to attend her first aid training. Children have good opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and take part in vigorous physical play in the well equipped

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Helping children to be healthy

garden where they can run around, climb on the climbing frame and jump on the trampoline. Children also benefit from outings to local parks and play areas. They have access to various resources such as construction, bead frames, puzzles, pens and pencils that help to develop their fine motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy balanced diet with meals that are freshly cooked and include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The childminder talks to parents about children's likes, dislikes, allergies and special dietary requirements.

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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 warm, homely, secure environment where the childminder has good procedures in place to keep them safe. All necessary safety precautions such as stair gates, socket covers and catches to kitchen cupboards are in place to protect children from harm. Furniture equipment and play resources are in good condition and meet the needs of the children. The childminder helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe when playing on the large equipment in the garden and by teaching them the Green Cross Code when walking out. Children are kept safe when travelling in the car by being provided with appropriate seats and restraints.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as necessary checks have been completed on family members and the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection. She is familiar with the four categories of abuse and is very clear about her role and responsibility for safeguarding children by recording and reporting any concerns to Social Services. Parents are required to sign her child protection policy which currently still refers to the Area Child Protection Committee procedures rather than the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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 are happy, settled and benefit from a close relationship with the childminder and her family. Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder because they take part in a wide range of interesting activities throughout the week. These include various creative activities, outdoor play in a well equipped garden, free play in a well resourced play room and various outings to local parks, toddler groups and visits to other childminders where they can mix and play with other children. Children happily interact with the childminder as she joins in their play and activities. For example, at the inspection children enjoy making bookmarks and a colouring activity while the childminder talks to them to extend their language development and to help them learn colours, letters and shapes. Later in the garden, children have great fun promoting their physical skills by jumping up and down on the trampoline and climbing on the climbing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

frame and slide, well supervised by the childminder. Although the childminder is not familiar with the Birth to three matters framework the emotional needs of babies and younger children are met as the daily routine is planned around their individual needs for sleeping, eating and playing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met. The childminder ensure she is able to do this by talking to parents at the initial interview about children's likes, dislikes, routines, religion, culture, language, allergies and special requirements. Children from all faiths, cultures and religions would be welcomed into the childminder's home. Children are learning about diversity and disability through activities and positive image play resources. The childminder has a positive attitude to inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies for managing behaviour are appropriate to children's age and stage of development. For example, distraction is used for babies and younger children and time out for older children. Continual praise and encouragement is given to promote their self esteem. As a result children are happy, confident and well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well being. New parents are provided with a set of the childminder's policies and procedures and are given detailed information about her childminding practice. Parents are required to sign contracts, child record forms and consent forms. Information is shared daily when children are dropped off and collected. Although the childminder has not received any complaints from parents she has the Ofsted template available for use if necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed her registration training and is waiting to attend a first aid course. She has a professional approach to childminding and is planning to extend and update her child care knowledge by attending further training courses. The childminder demonstrates

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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 a good understanding of the requirements of her registration and of the National Standards. Her home and play resources are well organised so that children can play safely and make independent choices. Children receive good adult support and supervision. The daily routine is planned around children's individual needs for eating, sleeping and playing. Most required documentation is in place and is appropriately maintained although the childminder does not have parent's written consent for seeking emergency medical advice.

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Organisation

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

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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): • obtain parents written permission for seeking emergency medical advice/ treatment • become familiar with the Birth to three matters framework • update child protection policy in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures

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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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