Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY304425 Unique Reference Number 29 June 2007 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 lives in the Camberwell area of Southwark with her two children who are over eight years. Children have access to all areas of the home and a secure garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children under three years on a full time basis and two children over three years, one child attends afternoons only and the other child attends out of school hours. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The family pets include one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from well established routines that promote good hygiene practice. For example, toys and equipment are kept clean, nappy changing routines are well organised and the childminder uses disposable gloves and cleans the changing mat after each use, helping to stop the spread of infection.

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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 Children have good opportunities to gain exercise and develop their physical control as they use a range of wheeled toys, climbing equipment and a trampoline during garden play. They also participate in regular outings to local parks, extending opportunities to develop their physical skills and gain fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual dietary needs are known and children's special diets are catered for. Children are offered a variety of healthy snacks and home cooked meals that are freshly prepared by the childminder. Children have constant access to fresh drinking water in individual cups, ensuring good hydration. Children are able to develop their social skills as they sit together and eat at the table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play in a bright and well maintained home; they benefit from a dedicated playroom with children's posters displayed and toys stored in low level units, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. Children have access to a wide variety to toys, books and creative resources that are of good quality and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to promote safety within the home. For example, all fire safety equipment is in place and gates are used to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen and stairs. Children have access to a range of equipment that supports their physical care needs, such as child sized tables, chairs, sleep mats, a high chair and buggies. They are able to use a good range of garden toys including a slide, sand tray, wheeled toys and a trampoline. Children's safety is promoted while they use the garden as the childminder ensures the gate is locked and children are constantly supervised. Good systems are in place to help safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder is aware of procedures to follow if she is worried a child is being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to explore; they freely choose toys, books and resources while being supported by the childminder, enabling them to become competent learners. For example, younger children enjoy being creative. They imitate while using the role-play cooker unit with play food, pots and pans and dolls with buggies. Their play is extended by the childminder who asks them questions, such as what they are cooking and where are they taking their 'babies', developing children's language skills. Children use a good range of creative materials purposefully. For example, they use pens to draw at the easel, using marks to make meaning while being praised for their efforts by the childminder. They enjoy using play dough with tools, developing their physical skills as they manipulate the play and shape cutters. Children develop their free creative expression as they use collage materials to make their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make connections and solve problems as they use large wooden peg puzzles and build with plastic bricks. Younger children enjoy looking at books with the childminder and hold books appropriately. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills while using the outside play equipment. They also attend regular outings to parks, children's groups and the library, extending opportunities for play.

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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. Good systems are in place to ensure partnership with parents is effective. For example, parents follow a gradual settling in procedure depending on their child's needs. Some parents have also accompanied the childminder on outings, enabling children to feel secure as their parents leave. Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress as the childminder makes time to discuss the events of the day when children are collected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual needs are known and respected. At present no children attend who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however, the childminder is experienced in this area of care and promotes inclusion. Children are able to develop an understanding of equality and learn about people in the community as they participate in regular outings and use books and resources that reflect diversity. Children are developing good social skills. For example, they all sit and eat together and are encouraged to share and take turns during play and help to put away toys after use.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications in first aid and childminding. She has devised a range of policies and procedures that are shared with parents and support the management of her service. All required documentation is in place. However, some documents are not well maintained limiting the effectiveness of safeguarding children's welfare. For example, there are a few gaps in children's details forms and a few pages of the attendance register are not clearly dated. In addition, written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has not been gained.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a varied daily routine that includes free play within the home, outside play and outings in the local environment. Children are able to develop their independence as they select resources that are well organised and easily accessible. Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. 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 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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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): • ensure all documents are complete and well maintained; gain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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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