Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346369 Unique Reference Number 04 July 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Ellen Mackey 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 2007. She lives with her husband and their three children, aged one, five and seven. The family live in a house in the Hayes area of Bromley, Kent. The property is situated within easy access of local amenities, such as shops, parks, schools and train station. The downstairs of the premises are used for childminding purposes. A enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years old, and there are currently five children on roll, who all attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification (NNEB).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. High standards of hygiene are maintained throughout the home and equipment is regularly cleaned and checked. Young children are encouraged in their personal routines, for example having tissues in their pocket to wipe their own noses. Children's medical needs are discussed with parents and up-to-date records are maintained to ensure consistency of care, which benefits the children's well-being. Detailed accident records are kept and signed by parents to ensure that the children's health is well protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy meals and snacks and regular drinks throughout the day. A healthy menu of home cooked food ensures they have healthy choices. A wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables are included in meals and snacks. Children sit together at the table and enjoy each others company at mealtimes, making it a social occasion. Parents' preferences and children's allergies and dietary needs are discussed with parents at the onset of care. This ensures that the children's nutritional needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for outdoor physical play, when they enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise. The garden is organised to provide a good choice of activities, including sand and imaginative play. Older children have planted and nurtured runner beans. Outings to the local park and toddler groups are included in the children's routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a child centred and well organised home. They play safely both indoors and outdoors as the childminder is vigilant to ensure all safety measures are in place. The childminder is very aware of the individual ability of the children and supervises them closely at all times. All hazardous materials are stored safely to prevent children's access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Polices and procedures are in place for security of the premises and when on outings help to ensure the safety of the children. Policies are well thought out and include procedures for children arriving and departing and procedures in the event of a child being lost. The childminder has a written emergency medical procedure, however she does not have written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. This is required to ensure emergency action is agreed and implemented without delay.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s overall well-being is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection. She shares her policy with parents. The childminder is clear about her responsibility in safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder interacts effectively with the children in her care. Children are confident, occupied and although attend on a part time basis are established and very settled. They put their arms up to the childminder to be picked up and they enjoy her engaging in their play. They smile and show excitement when she joins in. The childminder uses the Birth to three framework to plan appropriate activities for the younger children. Children's language is

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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 developing well and the childminder demonstrates skill in encouraging their use of language. She asks children lots of questions about their play and encourages them to think about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attending after school choose from a wide range of activities including games, imaginative play and different crafts. Children are acknowledged, their artwork is displayed, which helps them to feel valued. She is guided by their interests and ability. She demonstrates a sound understanding of children's development stages. This helps to ensure activities are suitably levelled, sustain children's interest and foster their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a warm, consistent standard of care from the childminder who provides a child centred environment. They are welcomed and enjoy a family atmosphere where the childminder values and respects their individuality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special educational needs and demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion. There is a good range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound understanding of the benefits of using positive methods to manage children’s behaviour. She uses distraction and redirection with the younger children and explains reasons to the older children why certain behaviour is unacceptable. As a result, children can play and learn in a calm and positive environment and begin to learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very well informed about the service that the childminder provides through written policies, clear agreements and frequent discussions. The childminder has a settling in policy which offers a good flexible induction period that enables both parents and children to be comfortable with the childminder before care begins. Information to parents is further enhanced by the childminders use of a contact book which details relevant information about the Childs day. It includes information about the Childs routine, involvement in activities and their sleep and eating pattern. An informative portfolio is available, including well thought out policies and procedures, however, the complaints procedure has not been updated to reflect changes in regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for the children in her care and is committed to improving the provision she offers. For example, she holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and she continues to attend additional training to develop her skills and knowledge further. As a result, the quality of care, learning and play that children experience continues to improve.

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Organisation

There are effective systems in place for the sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place which are reviewed regularly. All of the childminder's paperwork, policies and procedures are well maintained. The required documentation is available, well organised and stored confidentially and the certificate of registration is displayed. This means parents are aware of the conditions of registration.

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider 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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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 emergency arrangements with parents are agreed and include permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. • extend information for parents to ensure they are informed of the procedures in place if they make a complaint

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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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