Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346024 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2007 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge 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 January 2007. She lives with her husband and two young children aged five years and two years in a semi detached house in Welling in the borough of Bexley. The childminder works with her sister who is a co- childminder. The whole house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. When working with a co- childminder she may care for a maximum of seven children under eight years. Together the childminders are currently caring for four children under five years.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is well promoted because they are provided with a healthy, balanced diet consisting of freshly cooked meals with organic fresh vegetable and fruit which is delivered to the childminder's house. The childminder ensures that children's likes, dislikes, allergies and special dietary requirement are discussed with parents and adhered to. Children also benefit from regular fresh air and exercise playing in the large well equipped garden where they can run around, climb and swing on the wooden activity centre and bounce on the large trampoline. Children also enjoy outings to local parks, play centres and toddler groups where they take part in physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. Children are learning good personal hygiene through daily routines such as washing their hands after going to the toilet and before mealtimes. Effective nappy changing procedures and a written sick child policy ensure that children are protected from cross infection. The childminder has not yet attended a first aid course for infants and young children although she has applied to the local authority to do so. However, she has previously attended a first aid at work course and has a fully stocked first aid box displayed on the kitchen wall. She feels confident that children can be given appropriate care in the event of an accident. Medication and accident records, procedures and consents are in place and are suitably maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in secure, warm and child friendly surroundings where play space is well organised to enable them to move around freely and confidently. The childminder has taken positive steps to identify risks and hazards in her home in order to keep children safe. For example, the front door is kept locked during the day with an accessible key for emergency evacuation but is also fitted with a buzzer to alert adults when the door is being opened. This is particularly effective during busy drop off and collection times to ensure that children can not leave the premises unsupervised. Other safety measures in the home include safety gates on the stairs and kitchen door, socket covers, smoke detectors, a fire blanket and the safe storage of medicines and cleaning materials. Furniture, equipment and play resources in both the home and garden are in good condition and meet the children's needs. The trampoline in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the garden is fitted with safety sides to prevent accidents. Children are well supervised at all times as the childminder works with a co- childminder. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminders talk to them about the dangers of tripping over toys and standing on chairs. On outings children are taught to cross the road safely and are provided with appropriate seats and restraints when travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as all adults have been appropriately vetted and the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of child protection. She understands the importance of her role and responsibility for recording and reporting concerns to protect and safeguard children. However, her child protection policy which is shared with parents has not been updated in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in a relaxed, child friendly environment. They enjoy a close relationship with both the childminder and her co- childminder who work closely together to provide a broad range of stimulating, indoor and outdoor activities, which help to promote children's all round development. Children love playing in the well equipped garden where they have great fun bouncing on the large trampoline, climbing up and down the wooden activity centre, riding on bikes and playing with the water, well supported by the childminders. Indoors children can make independent choices about their play from a good range of toys and activities that support their learning and development. Resources include books, puzzles, construction, small world, role play and baby toys such as shape sorters and musical toys. Other toys are kept upstairs and are regularly rotated to keep children's interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The day is planned around children's individual routines for eating, sleeping and playing. Children benefit from good interaction as the childminder joins in their play, talks to them and gives lots of cuddles and reassurance. Children also benefit from regular outings to the park, library, play centres and toddler groups. As a result children are developing well and becoming skilful communicators and competent learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children and families are welcomed into the childminder's home. Children have access to a limited range of resources that help them to learn about diversity and disability. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder takes time to talk to parents about the family background, children's routines, likes, dislikes, allergies and special requirements prior to taking on a child. She has a positive attitude to caring for a child with a learning difficulty or disability. The childminder works in partnership with parents to develop daily routines in order to provide consistency and continuity of care. An effective settling in procedure ensures that children and parents can separate with as little upset as possible. Contracts, child record and consents are completed and the childminder has good systems in place for keeping parents informed about their children's day and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn right from wrong because the childminder uses positive, consistent behaviour management techniques and ensures that children are familiar with the house rules and boundaries. She routinely praises good behaviour and redirects and distracts unwanted behaviour. As a result children are happy confident and well behaved.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by an enthusiastic childminder who works closely with her sister, who is also a registered childminder, to provide a stimulating, safe and caring environment. The childminder has completed her registration training but is still waiting to attend a first aid course. She is also keen to attend further training courses in order to extend her childcare knowledge. The home, garden and play resources are effectively organised to enable children to play safely and make choices about their play. Children are properly supervised and receive good adult support. Daily routines are well planned to take into account children's individual needs and routines for sleeping, eating and playing. All necessary documentation is in place and is well maintained. This includes a record of children's attendance, accident and

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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 medication records, contracts, child record forms and written consents. A comprehensive set of policies and procedures promote the welfare and care of children. The childminder's registration certificate is currently displayed in a folder which she shows to parents. She is required to display her certificate during the times she is childminding. The provider 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 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 then 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 that a recognized first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children is completed as soon as possible • update child protection policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures( LSCB) • ensure that the registration certificate is always on display during childminding hours • increase positive image play resources that promote diversity and disability

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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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