Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297950 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Kay Bateson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and twin sons age 14 months, in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Bromley. It is near to local transport links, schools, parks, shops and the library. The minded children have access to all the downstairs rooms, which include facilities for toilet and hand washing. They will use the upstairs room for daytime sleep if needed. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder includes regular visits to local mother and toddler groups, parks, shops, and leisure facilities.

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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 The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and attends the Bromley network sessions, training workshops and drop in groups. The childminder is registered for not more than two children under 8 years at any one time. She has two children on roll and is currently minding one child under 8 and one child over 8 on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care, through daily routines. The childminder follows sound procedures and has placed clear eye catching reminders on the wall of the toilet. These heighten the children’s awareness of the importance of good practice and are easy to understand by young children. They are safe from the spread of infection as the childminder follows sound procedures. She has a written policy for sick children that she shares verbally with parents, ensuring that the welfare of any sick children will be paramount. Children benefit from a healthy diet, of fruit snacks and well prepared cooked meals. The childminder gives particular attention to planning them around the children’s preferred choices, special dietary needs and parental wishes. The older children are involved in the preparation of a meal as seen with one child peeling and cutting up

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Helping children to be healthy

his carrots he wants with his meal. This helps them understand about healthy eating habits, includes them fully into the planning of meals and provides a good learning opportunity about food preparation. Children enjoy a good range of opportunities for physical play. The childminder fully supports young children’s individual needs for rest and active play. They can use a variety of outdoor and indoor equipment, having access to a garden for ball games and outdoor play. The childminder takes them to play in the local parks after school and encourages young children to develop strong body control. This is clear when young children crawl at speed, pull themselves up on furniture and are taking a few steps aided by holding onto the childminder. Older children sit together at the table as the childminder sits feeding the younger children at the other end of the room. Therefore, they miss out on a possible social

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Helping children to be healthy

occasion during meal times, an opportunity for discussion, or a time when children learn about appropriate table manners. The childminder agreed to review the procedure for children during meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in a safe and secure environment as the childminder pays

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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 good attention to protecting children from possible hazards in and outdoors. She checks toys and equipment regularly, keeps the entrance door locked, and fully supervises children when playing outside. She is very vigilant with the crawling children and reminds the older children not to allow younger children access to the pens they are drawing with. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder follows firm procedures. She reminds them not to go out of the door while waiting for their parent to take them home; as well as having on show a clear diagram for fire evacuation, and playing board games to reinforce road safety knowledge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected by the childminder having a clear understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, also who to contact for advice. She makes sure the children are safe when out, by having firm arrangements and procedures in place. She carries identification cards with contact details, has written permission from parents, and ensures young children wear restraints in car seats and buggies. Children’s safety could be at risk when the childminder is unable to see or hear the children whilst playing in the playroom. This is when she goes into the kitchen to check the progress of the meal cooking and shuts the door to keep the children are safe from hot appliances. The childminder agreed that an alternative method used would ensure she maintains full supervision at the same time maintaining the safety of children from hot surfaces and will immediately be attending to it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play very well together, become involved in activities for long periods of time. They involve all children in their play as the childminder encourages them to be caring and sensitive to the needs of younger children. They join in with activities planned by the childminder; as seen when they make place mats with drawing and later having them laminated to use at meal times. Children enjoy playing with a varied range of toys that suit their age and development. They are able to reach them and play with them independently as the childminder organises them well to suit the ages. Young children have toys in boxes on the floor and older children are able to select activities and clearly labelled equipment from shelves or on the table. Children are interested and enjoy talking about things that are happening at school or at home. This is apparent when children talk in depth about pets and the Praying

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Mantis owned by a child. They receive lots of attention from the childminder, who interacts with them and actively joins in their conversations and play ideas. She encourages and develops the early talk of the young children, by playing alongside, reinforcing sounds they make, drawing their attention to a visiting squirrel in the garden or to an aeroplane flying over. She also supports older children with their reading and writing skills, by giving opportunities for writing and regularly sharing books from school. This encourages the children to develop into confident learners.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel welcomed and are fully included into the setting. They feel valued and their needs fully addressed by the good procedures the childminder has in place. She has a comprehensive settling in procedure, uses lots of praise and encouragement when children tackle a new task and displays their drawings and writing for everyone to see. They are happy, feel secure and are making good relationships with the childminder. They get equal attention from the childminder who manages the differences in ages and needs very well. This ensures that their emotional well being is well supported and maintained. The children are developing a positive understanding about the different cultures of people through the toys and books the childminder provides. They learn about festivals, cultural celebrations and famous people as the childminder plans opportunities into her organised activities after school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement given by the childminder. They respond well to the requests of the childminder; as seen when helping with laying the table, asked to wash hands and tidying toys away when getting ready when their parent arrives. They play well together, sharing equipment and taking turns. Younger children are learning important social skills when they play alongside older children. This is apparent when all are playing on the floor with the childminder engaged in block play and imaginative play with farm animals. The parents of the current children attending are very happy with the quality of care provided. They have built good working relationships with the childminder, who keeps them well informed through her comprehensive documentation, written procedures and signed agreements. She verbally shares information about the care of children and the events of the day. She intends to share written information with parents of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

young children when they attend and is very keen to record progress within the ‘Birth to Three Matters’ framework. This ensures children feel emotionally secure, safe and are well looked after according to their parent’s wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel happy and at home due to the way the childminder organises the play space for children, with areas for quiet and active play. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised by the childminder to broaden their experiences, such as trips to parks, libraries and toddler groups with the younger children. The childminder manages the numbers of minded children alongside those of her family members well, giving equal attention to the different ages and needs. She keeps accurate records and agreements with parents; also very aware of the importance of keeping documentation and training up to date. She shares her

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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 comprehensive portfolio with parents giving them a very clear overview of the care on offer, her background experience and is able to view photographs of children involved in activities. She pays particular attention to attending training and workshops, increasing her knowledge in baby signing and ‘Birth to Three Matters’ framework. This ensures children will have access to a good standard of care and learning activities that will support their individual abilities and skills. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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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): • improve the supervision of children when in the play room while meals are being prepared.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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