Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344844 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Lara Hickson 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 with her partner and two children aged nine and 10 years. They live in a four bedroom home in Eltham. Minded children have access to most areas of the home including the lounge, dining room, kitchen, first floor bathroom and two bedrooms. The home setting is within walking distance of many local amenities including parks, a library, nurseries, and local shops. The area is served by good transport links. Opportunities for physical play will take place at local parks. The family have one cat. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, of whom three may be under five years. The childminder is currently minding six children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming family home. They benefit from the highly effective household cleaning routines in place which help to prevent the spread of infection. Children are introduced to and learn about the importance of good personal hygiene practices through the childminder's well planned daily routines. They are encouraged to develop

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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 independent practices, for example, wiping their own noses and going to the toilet independently where age appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the thorough records and appropriate procedures in place regarding accidents, first aid and the administration of medication. Sick children benefit from the childminder's caring and committed approach as well as her clear and effective sickness procedures which help prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid qualification and is able to provide appropriate care to children if they become unwell or have an accident in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of age and stage appropriate activities which contribute to their general good health, growth and development. They have access to resources that are clean, safe and in excellent condition as a result of the childminder's regular checks regarding safety and cleanliness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to physical activities which support and encourage them to develop and practise a range of different physical and coordination skills. Although the garden is not currently registered children have very good opportunities to play outdoors and enjoy fresh air and exercise either on the regular trips organised to local parks or on the walks to and from school each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of children's nutritional needs and children benefit from a selection of healthy, well balanced meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that she complies with parental wishes regarding children's individual dietary requirements and is aware of children's likes, dislikes, allergies, food intolerances and special dietary requirements. Child record forms detail any specific dietary requirements and the childminder also discusses any food allergies, intolerances or religious/cultural restrictions with parents at the initial meeting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Arrival and collection procedures are thorough and the childminder would not allow a child to be collected by an unfamiliar adult. Contracts detail all adults authorised to collect a child and the childminder would never hand a child over to someone that she didn't know unless she had been informed in advance by the child's parents that someone different was collecting. Valid Public Liability and business use car insurance are in place and appropriate safety restraints and car seats are used to transport children safely in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can independently select from a wide range of toys and activities stored in low level storage boxes and on shelves in the dining room. The childminder stores resources in a second floor room and rotates these regularly to ensure that children remain stimulated, interested and challenged. Children benefit from the childminder's regular checks on the toys and equipment with regards to safety and cleanliness. All toys, resources and equipment seen were safe, clean and in excellent condition. The childminder ensures that resources are suitable for the children's ages and stages of development and prevents younger children from gaining access to inappropriate items, for example, small wheels on cars. The childminder organises her toy boxes to meet the developmental needs of the children attending on specific days. This also ensures the children's on-going safety.

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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 Children are cared for in a safe, child friendly home where risks have been identified and minimised, ensuring that their safety is fully promoted. Appropriate safety precautions have been applied, for example, the childminder ensures safety gates, safety catches and socket covers are in place. As a result of the attention paid to safety, all the children are able to move safely around the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although the childminder discussed the procedure that she would follow in the event of a fire or emergency in the home she has not practised this with the children in her care. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are in place on all floors of the home setting and these are checked regularly to ensure that they continue to work appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a very good awareness of her responsibility regarding child protection concerns and emphasises that her main priority is the safety, welfare and well-being of any child in her care. The childminder would record all observations on any concerns regarding a child in her care and would report these as appropriate. She records all existing injuries and seeks a parental explanation about the circumstances behind the injury. The childminder keeps all local safeguarding procedures to hand and has a signed consent from parents stating that they are aware of her responsibility as a childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children develop confidence and self esteem as a result of the childminder's continual encouragement and praise. Children gain confidence and attempt new tasks because the childminder enthusiastically praises and encourages their efforts and achievements. For example one child aged 15 months said the word camel during a story and the childminder immediately praised the child and told the Inspector excitedly "that's the first time that she has ever said that". Another child initiated a singing rhyme for the first time which was a great individual achievement. The childminder wrote both of these achievements in each child's individual contact book so that she could share them with their parents. The childminder participates in play activities, gets down on the floor with the children and talks to them all the time, asking questions to make them think, extending their knowledge and widening their vocabulary and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language development. For example when reading the story "Dear Zoo", the childminder asked the child about familiar animals but also introduced less familiar animals and their sounds for example snake and camel.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the accessibility of resources which encourages their independence and allows them to select toys and activities that interest them. All toys and activities available to the children are age and stage appropriate and provide appropriate challenge and interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy, settled and demonstrate confidence in the childminders warm, welcoming family environment. They approach the childminder happily and she is aware of their individual needs, stage of development and changes which may affect their personalities. For example, on the day of the inspection one child did not want to settle for her sleep. Eventually she became so tired the childminder was worried that she may fall over and hurt herself and decided that a short walk may help induce sleep which it did. The childminder was aware that the child did not want to sleep as she felt that she may be missing something whilst the Inspector was present.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the close relationships that have been formed with the childminder and the individual support and attention that they receive from her. There is very close interaction

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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 between the children and the childminder and the childminder clearly supports their overall development and individual learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During the week children benefit from a range of activities outside the home setting which include regular trips to local parks and the library. Children's social skills are encouraged and enhanced during trips to local toddler groups where they learn to play and share with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes Equal opportunities by making each child and their family welcome and not discriminating against any child or their parents. The childminder treats each child as an individual but gives them all an equal say in what they are offered with regards to activities and decisions. The childminder is very aware of the different characters and individual requirements of the children in her care and discusses these fully with parents to ensure that they are met. Children are made aware of diversity and of the wider society through a range of toys and resources depicting race, culture, gender and disability. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards non stereotypical play. Children have good opportunities to learn about the wider world and are able to celebrate festivals throughout the year for example Diwali, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder continuously promotes the children's self esteem and confidence for example she claps her hands when one child puts the correct shape into a shape sorter. When a child says a new word the childminder says "Well done" and writes these achievements in her contact book to share with her parents. The childminder also takes photographs of children's models, for example when one child made a complex ship from Duplo.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder offers excellent support for children with learning difficulties/disabilities and demonstrates a very caring approach towards caring for a child with learning difficulties/disabilities and is aware of how to meet the child's needs. She has completed additional courses to develop her knowledge and understanding of learning difficulties or disabilities, for example an introduction to signing course and a course based on using observation to support children with special educational needs. The childminder said that she would discuss any concerns regarding a child in her care with their parents first and foremost in a calm, informative yet sensitive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved and their good behaviour is supported and valued by the childminder through praise and encouragement. There are some simple house rules in place, which the childminder reinforces consistently with the children she looks after. Children are encouraged to share and take turns through activities and games provided by the childminder. The childminder said that any significant incidents would be recorded appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established an open, friendly yet professional relationship with all parents and feels that this is beneficial to all parties particularly the children. The childminder works in partnership with parents and respects their wishes. Effective settling in periods are arranged with parents and these dates noted on the initial contract. The childminder provides verbal feedback to parents upon collection and uses contact books with younger children to record each days events. This gives parents a valuable insight into their child's day and is a two way record for parents to also write in anything of any significance that has happened at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder understands her responsibility regarding complaints and said that she would record any complaint made appropriately using the template from the October 2005 revisions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are enhanced by the childminder's effective organisation. The layout of the home setting enables children to develop their independence, move freely and select age appropriate toys and activities from the extensive range available. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being is in place and regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates an organised, professional approach to maintaining good quality records. All documentation sampled was appropriately recorded, shared with parents and securely stored. The childminder has routines in place which help children to feel confident and settled in a safe, stimulating and loving environment. Children are cared for by a childminder who has relevant checks and has completed the appropriate training to ensure her registration continues.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed the Introduction to childminding course and is eager to continue her training and development in childcare subjects, to enhance the quality of care that is already offered to the children. She is a network childminder and is hoping to become a support childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the ratios she must adhere to and ensures that she is within these set ratios at all times. She organises her day to include aspects of individual care routines for example sleep, meals, activities, walks and school runs. The childminder displays her registration certificate appropriately and has a portfolio available with documentation which she shows prospective parents, for example Public Liability and business car insurance certificates, enhanced criminal record disclosure (CRB) forms for her and her husband and certificates of courses that she has attended.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safety within her setting and on outings. However although the childminder has discussed the procedure that she would follow in the event of a fire or emergency in the home she has not practised this with the children in her care.

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Organisation

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no reports made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 that fire drills are practised regularly with the 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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