Alison Eames

Alison Eames Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152245 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Susan Linda Capon 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 October 2002. She lives with her husband and their five year old child in a flat situated in the London Borough of Bromley. Except for the main bedroom all areas of the property are available for childminding. There is a communal garden available which may only be used under the childminder's direct supervision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years at any time. She is currently minding two children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is a qualified registered nurse. She makes regular use of the local amenities including parent and toddler.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment free from infection through the childminder's sound hygiene routines. For example, she cleans the high chair and all work surfaces with an

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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 anti-bacterial spray. The childminder uses good hand-washing and nappy changing routines, cleaning the changing mat thoroughly between use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to learn about hygiene routines as the childminder explains to young children she is helping them to clean their hands to "get rid of the germs". She provides a good supply of clean flannels and towels each day to ensure a fresh one is always available after meals. These are washed daily to prevent the spread of infection, keeping the children safe at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows good medication routines at all times, ensuring she has written parental consent and records all medication administered. All medication is stored out of children's reach. Good accident procedures keep children safe and secure. A suitable first aid kit is readily available and inaccessible to the children. The childminder does not have written parental consent to seek medical treatment in an emergency. This puts the children's safety at risk. Parents see the records relevant to their child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents do not send their child to the setting if they are unwell or have an infectious illness. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has good procedures in place and will contact the parents if their child becomes unwell while in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop their physical skills through regular exercise indoors and outdoors. They enjoy fresh air whenever possible as the childminder takes them on regular walks in their buggy. Young children are developing their standing and walking skills fully supported by the childminder. Less mobile children are encouraged to stretch and stand with the childminder's assistance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals each day. The childminder prepares the meals daily, using fresh ingredients, including fruit and vegetables. Children enjoy rice cakes and vegetable sticks as a daily snack. Children drinking limited milk eat yogurts each day to help them develop strong teeth and bones.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children eat finger foods to encourage them to feed themselves. They particularly enjoy slices of cheese on toast and cucumber pieces. Some children have a reflux problem and are encouraged to sit in their high chair for a short time after they finish their meals to prevent them being sick. The childminder looks at books with the children, keeping them occupied and happy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents are welcomed to the setting. The childminder's home is very warm, welcoming, clean and bright throughout, making it a pleasant place for children to spend their day. It is suitably ventilated and heated appropriately with thermostats fitted to all the radiators to make them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The space is well-organised, providing suitable areas for children to rest, sleep, eat and play, throughout the day. The childminder ensures the play space is clear, enabling children to be as mobile as possible and explore their boundaries safely. The childminder uses the communal garden on a one to one basis, ensuring the children's safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children under two years use a good range of suitable equipment to meet their developmental needs. For example, a high chair for meal times and a buggy for walks. Some specialist equipment

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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 is readily available for less able children, ensuring she meets each child's individual needs at all times. For example, special beakers for drinking which help to strengthen the child's muscles. There are suitable arrangements for children to sleep and rest and all household furnishings are suitable and safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of suitable equipment, toys and activities to meet the needs of the children currently attending. This includes a range of sensory toys to encourage less able children to become more mobile and promote their all round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures her home is very safe and secure at all times. She identifies the potential dangers and minimises the risk of accidents throughout the home. For example, all cleaning materials and sharp knives are inaccessible to the children. The children are well-supervised and unable to leave the premises unnoticed, particularly during arrival and departure times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised good emergency evacuation plans and ensures her smoke alarm is always in working order. She has identified any potential problems, relating to getting less mobile children out of the premises and would carry them to safety. All her exits are clear ready for use in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe when outdoors with the childminder. The children use secure suitable car seats and written consent to use her vehicle and take children on outings is in place. When walking with young children near busy roads the childminder uses a buggy. More able children walk with the childminder, holding her hand and are encouraged to learn the Green Cross Code to keep themselves safe at all times. The childminder never leaves children unattended in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently updated her awareness of child protection issues. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of how to manage any concerns appropriately, keeping the children safe and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are well settled, confident and secure in the setting. They have developed a good relationship with the childminder and her family, making them feel at home. The childminder interacts well with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills as they make their own selection from the readily available toys. Younger children particularly enjoy playing with the contents of the holistic basket as they explore the different sensory toys. Less able children are learning to point with their finger to make their needs known and use happy and sad faces to discuss feelings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with the bricks taking them out of the basket and putting them back in again. They build a small tower and enjoy knocking it down. Children bang the bricks together rhythmically, copying patterns made by the childminder. Books are popular with the younger child who holds them correctly and turns the pages carefully as he explores the pictures. Children enjoy making the sounds in the sounds book. They roll and bounce the small ball indoors "bum shuffling" round the room to fetch it. These activities keep the children occupied and stimulated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are developing their speech as they babble as they play. They are able to make their needs known and have learned to wave bye-bye.

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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 The children enjoy visiting the local parent and toddler groups to play with children of a similar age, developing their social skills. They also enjoy attending the local music group and story time at the library each week. The childminder follows up these activities by singing rhymes and doing the actions with the children in her setting. For example, the children enjoy singing "Row, Row, Row your Boat".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses Birth to three matters documentation in her setting to help identify the progress and development for each child attending. She records what they can do, identifying the next steps for progression. She shares the information with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder treats all the children as individuals. She currently cares for children with special needs. She ensures she gives them quality care and attention at all times. For example, she provides one to one care for these children. She encourages the children to develop their knowledge and understanding of other people through the good selection of toys and books readily available for their use. These provide positive images for all areas of equal opportunities. Children enjoy visiting other local groups on a regular basis and are developing their awareness of the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder incorporates each child's individual routines and needs into her flexibly structured day. For example, children's feeding and sleeping routines. The excellent settling-in procedures and routines help the children settle quickly and feel confident and at home with the childminder and her family. This enables parents to leave their child safe in the knowledge their child is happy and content.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an excellent understanding of special needs and is part of the local network of childminders, working with children with special needs. She has in-depth information from the parents about the individual needs of each child and ensures she gathers any additional information she may need to manage specific special needs. For example, information on Downs Syndrome. She works closely with other professionals and the child's parents to ensure she provides continuity of care. Additional specialist equipment is available when required. For example, one child uses special tubing for meal times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder continues to attend special needs training to improve her skills in this area. For example she has recently completed a sensory play and language training day. She provides excellent support to both the parents and children. For example, she provides respite care at the weekends when required. Her home is calm and stimulating, enabling the children to develop to their individual potential. The childminder provides suitable privacy when children require intimate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are developing their awareness of the house rules and boundaries and know they must not throw the toys or touch the warm radiator. Regular praise and encouragement builds the children's confidence and self-esteem as they play. Children are encouraged to learn to share and co-operate with one another. Distraction strategies help keep younger children safe. The childminder has developed her awareness of managing behaviour through attending courses, putting this information into practice when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the good relationship the childminder builds with all the parents. She has written contracts with all parents. These are regularly reviewed and updated. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 contracts identify the expectations of both parties. The childminder only releases the child to named individuals in agreement with the parent's wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good verbal feedback about their child's day. Additional telephone discussions are available when required. Parents share relevant information with the childminder about their child, helping her to provide suitable care on a daily basis. They see the childminder's portfolio, including her policies and procedures. This helps to keep them informed about her setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. A suitable person cares for the children. The childminder does not leave the children with any un-vetted person. She has good emergency arrangements to use another registered childminder if required. This ensures the safety of the children at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains a daily register of each child's attendance, including their arrival and departure times. This keeps the children safe and secure.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's professional approach to her work. She continues to update her childcare knowledge through training offered by the local Early Years team and the special needs network. As a qualified nurse she has additional training opportunities. For example, first aid and special needs training.

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Organisation

Children are safe and secure through the well-organised, suitably detailed records maintained by the childminder. These are securely stored to maintain confidentiality. Children's individual records are only seen by their parents.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps abreast of changes to the National Standards and keeps Ofsted fully informed about her childminding business. For example, she notified Ofsted when she re-commenced childminding after a break.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her practice as required. She now keeps a detailed written record of all medication administered to children and has written parental consent in place. This ensures the children's safety at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has extended her resources with a range of books and sensory equipment to meet all areas of equal opportunities. These enable all children to learn about other people and the world about them more fully.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • request written consent to seek emergency medical treatment

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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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