Launchpad Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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132033 Unique Reference Number 28 June 2007 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the borough of Kingston upon Thames. The whole ground floor, first floor master bedroom and bathroom are areas of the childminder’s house used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is assured because they are aware of good practice with regard to hand washing and because the childminder's cleaning routines are thorough. The risk of cross-infection is minimised because parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a

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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 contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea and that they will be contacted if the child becomes ill. Children's best interests are served as the childminder holds a first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy balanced and nutritious diet. Records clearly indicate dietary requirements for each child, which ensures that individual needs are catered for in accordance with parents' wishes. The childminder provides healthy, nutritious and well-balanced, home-cooked food. This encourages children to make healthy food choices and to develop a good knowledge of healthy eating options. Children sit and eat together, with the childminder, which makes mealtimes enjoyable, sociable occasions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of challenging physical activities. Access to the garden and visits to local parks and play areas gives children the opportunity to develop confidence and control in their movements. Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs and as they become increasingly aware of how exercise affects their bodies. The childminder ensures children's drink's bottles are toped up throughout so they can manage their own thirst levels, especially when playing outside. They also enjoy tending to and watering the plants.

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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 safe, secure and well maintained home. The childminder has identified potential risks and put in place effective safety precautions to minimise them. Cleaning fluids and sharp knives are stored out of reach, and safety gates and plug socket covers are used to keep children safe. Mostly effective fire precautions and procedures are in place. A fire blanket is located in the kitchen and smoke detectors are on every level of the home. However, emergency evacuation procedures are not practised with the children. This would develop their understanding of what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can select from a wide and varied range of toys, books and equipment, which are appropriate to all ages of children attending. This enables them to make choices and initiate their own play. They are kept safe because the childminder checks on the state of play resources and maintains them in sufficient condition. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's knowledge of child protection procedures. For example, the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and has completed recent training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a relaxed, informal, friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the childminder's home. They are very settled and confident in their surroundings. Children choose freely from a range of relevant activities for their age and stage of development. They make very good progress in all areas of their development because of the childminder's understanding that children learn best when they are interested and challenged. The childminding day is planned to provide a well balanced range of activities that stimulate their interest and development. Regular attendance at toddler groups provides opportunities for children to mix with other children and to play with a wider range of activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly talks to children about what they are doing and things of interest. When watering the plants the childminder explains what the plants are called. For example "that is a sunflower and these are tomatoes". This is helping them to make steady progress in developing language skills and in becoming skilful communicators. Children love to sit and look

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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 at books with the childminder. They enjoy accessing role play resources, manoeuvre trains around train tracks and happily concentrate for long periods when accessing tools and the tool bench. Children have opportunities to explore a good range of natural sensory and creative activities, such as sand and play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder establishes with parents. They have their individual needs met through the sharing of information, such as; about their home routines and dietary requirements. Parents access the childminder's comprehensive written policies and procedures and all records pertaining to their child. This supports the continuity of care and safety of the children's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have equal access to a wide range of resources. They learn about the wider community during visits to mosques and celebrating a range of religious festivals throughout the year. These include Chinese new year, Christmas and Easter. Children learn about their own and other cultures through the use of books. They also access a range of resources that reflect the wider world such as; musical instruments, disability figures and dressing up clothes that include Asian and African outfits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a sense of belonging as the childminder is attentive to their individual needs, and she divides her time so that children are well supported and involved in activities. They are well behaved as they are stimulated and feel secure. The childminder uses positive language to encourage children's self-esteem. She has an effective partnership with parents and takes positive steps to ensure that they are kept well informed. Verbal discussions keep parents up to date about their child's day, progress and any issues. She has a written complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder actively seeking information and training, such as; child protection, free play and socialising, story telling and working in partnership with parents. This helps her develop her provision. Children's safety and welfare receives protection from the well-written and effectively implemented policies and procedures, and through the sharing of documentation with parents.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in a well organised and child friendly environment. They confidently and enthusiastically explore their surroundings, the toys and activities. They have positive relationships with the childminder and benefit from receiving plenty of individual attention. All childminding records and documentation are in place, they are clear, up-to-date and stored appropriately. The childminder makes good use of local amenities to extend the children’s play and learning opportunities.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her knowledge of child protection guidelines, increase children's access to fluids and practise emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder has updated her knowledge of child protection and procedures as detailed in

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Improvements 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 What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused. Children have access to individual drinking bottles, which are kept in the room with children and are topped up throughout the day. This allows children to manage their own thirst levels. The childminder has not practised the evacuation procedures with the children, so this recommendation has been raised again.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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): • practise the emergency evacuation procedures to ensure they are appropriate

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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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