Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330926 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2007 Inspection date Jeannette Waring 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 satisfactory. 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 lives with her partner, in a two bedroom, fourth floor flat in Peckham. Shops, schools, pre-schools and toddler groups are all located within walking distance and there are good transport links into central London close by. Children have use of the lounge and the hallway of the flat for their play-space. The childminder also takes children into the communal garden behind the flats for outdoor play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2005 and may provide care for a maximum of three children under the age of eight years. She is currently providing care for two children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where suitable cleaning routines are in place. The childminder has satisfactory arrangements in place to protect children from the spread of infection. For example, she has suitable routines in place for dealing with children's

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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 personal care and she ensures that children learn about the importance of personal hygiene as she teaches them to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have an accident or who are unwell are well cared for because the childminder has completed her first aid training and makes sure that a complete first aid box is available in the lounge. In addition she uses the National Childminding Association record book to record all accidents and incidents and any medication, parents ask her to administer to children. She has all required consent forms in place and makes sure that parents sign each entry in her record book. These arrangements help to ensure that children have continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although there is no garden the childminder makes sure that children have opportunities for physical play in the open air by using a communal garden behind the flats and by taking children to a toddler group several times each week where there is an outdoor play area.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides meals for children whose parents want her to. Although the childminder ensures that children have sufficient food to eat and makes sure that they have access to drinks throughout the day, the range of meals and snacks currently provided are not well balanced and so do not encourage children to develop healthy eating patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has carried out a risk assessment in her home and put in place measures to minimise most hazards. For example, a safety gate is kept in place at the kitchen door so that children cannot go in, bedrooms are kept locked and the smoke alarm is regularly tested. However, children's safety is not always assured because one window in the lounge is not fitted with a restrictor and was not locked on the day of inspection and the front door handle is within reach of small children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A suitable range of good quality toys are safely stored in a toy box in the lounge. This allows children to select toys and activities independently. Other toys are stored in one of the bedrooms and the childminder regularly changes the selection provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When out and about in the community with children, the childminder takes the opportunity to teach children about road safety. For example, when collecting a child from nursery she reminded him to hold on to the buggy when they left the playground, she allowed him to press the pelican crossing button and asked him to tell her when it was safe to cross. The child told the childminder to wait because the light was red and then told her they could cross because the light was green.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect because she is confident that she would be aware of the signs that a child was, or could be, at risk of harm and she is aware of how to make a referral to Children's Services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminders warm and affectionate care. Children respond well to the childminder who spends time playing with and talking to the children.

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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 Children being collected from nursery greet the childminder happily and chat to her on the way home. On the day of the visit they talked about the nursery morning, road safety, the mower cutting the grass in the park and the road-works and big diggers along the road.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At home children played happily with the toys provided and a baby particularly enjoyed playing a game with the childminder using two home-made shakers. The child squealed in delight as the childminder shook first, one shaker then the next each making a different sound.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder attends a local toddler group several times a week where children are able to mix with their peers, take part in a range of art and craft activities and enjoy outdoor play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an open approach to issues of equality so that children learn to value and respect each other. However, the childminder does not have full details of children's family background, culture and religion and has few toys or resources which reflect the wider community. The childminder said that she would welcome children with disabilities or learning difficulties and would work with parents to provide children with appropriate support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They are learning to be polite and well mannered as the childminder reminds them to say please and thank-you and as they copy her as she waves a thank-you to motorists who stop for them at the zebra crossing. The childminder uses positive behaviour management techniques which work well in practice. For example, she uses distraction to very good effect with the youngest children and has simple house rules in place which children understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has suitable arrangements in place to support her relationship with children's parents and enable her to provide appropriate care for the children she minds. For example, she has contracts and consent forms in place and regularly shares information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She protects children by ensuring that all adults are suitably vetted and by making sure children are well supervised at all times. She has a suitable understanding of the National Standards and regulations and has completed all required training. In addition she continues to up-date her knowledge and so improve her service to children by attending further training offered by the local authority.

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Organisation

The childminder has made sure that her home is suitably organised so that children can move about independently and access their toys safely. She makes sure that her week includes regular outings and opportunities for outdoor play and she ensures that meals are provided at regular times. These routines help children to feel settled and secure.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place, up to date and suitably stored to ensure confidentiality. However, the daily attendance register does not show full details of the times that care is provided for all children

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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 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 satisfactory. 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): • provide a range of meals and snacks which are well balanced and which encourage children to develop a healthy eating pattern • make sure that children are not able to open the front door and ensure that all windows in rooms used by children are kept locked or fitted with restrictors • ensure that children's individual needs, including family background, culture and religion, are discussed with parents and provide a range of books, toys and resources which reflect the wider community • ensure that the daily attendance register details days and times of minding for all children

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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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