Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345397 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 2006. She lives with two aged 11 years and seven years in Battersea in the London borough of Wandsworth. The whole of the childminder’s flat is used for childminding except for one bedroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children aged under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years on full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to parks on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and caring environment, where they receive good support to develop personal hygiene routines. For example, the childminder helps young children to wash their hands before meals and after they have had their nappy changed. To protect children’s health and reduce the risk of cross infection the childminder carries out good hygiene practices,

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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 such as wearing gloves to change nappies, washing her hands before preparing meals and ensuring children play in a clean home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious freshly prepared meals and written menus demonstrate the childminder’s knowledge of providing a balanced diet. Children enjoy eating a varied range of fresh fruit each day. This helps children develop healthy eating habits and a fondness of fresh fruit from a young age. To quench children’s thirst they are offered drinks throughout the day. Babies' feeding needs are met well, as they are cuddled whilst being bottle fed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is kept in an easily accessible position, so she is able to carry out first aid in the event of an accident. The childminder would seek emergency medical treatment if needed and has written parental consent to do so. This ensures children’s welfare in the event of a serious accident. Children who are infectious do no attend thus preventing the spread of contagious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy using bikes and pushing along toys within the childminder's home and have further access to resources that help develop their physical skills at toddler groups. They receive plenty of fresh air, as they are taken on regular walks and visit parks, where they access large play equipment. Children's rest needs are met well, as the childminder regularly checks them, as they sleep in a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised safe environment, where they are able to move around freely. This is because the childminder checks that all safety equipment is in place and there are no unidentified hazards before the children arrive each day. To safeguard children the childminder has a fire blanket in the kitchen and the smoke alarm is in working order. The childminder has devised a written fire evacuation plan, which has been practised, so she can support children leaving the building safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder reduces the risks to children outside of the home, because she takes precautions to keep them safe. For example, she ensures children sit in appropriate seats when travelling in the car. When walking younger children are in buggies and older children hold her hand or onto the buggy. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about how to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised throughout the day due to the good organisation of the childminder and the layout of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and books which the childminder makes sure are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children can independently select from the play resources, as they are set up in an attractive manner in the lounge, which gives them freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is enhanced because the childminder has a good awareness of the signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, the local authority child protection guidance for childminders is not easily available.

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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 play in a lovely child centred area set up in the lounge. Children are relaxed and happy in the company of the childminder, who devotes her time to them and regularly joins in with their play. They often approach her for cuddles and she responds warmly to them. Children’s art work is displayed on the walls in the lounge. This shows children their work is valued and gives them a sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently choose what they want to play with and are quickly absorbed in their play. They enjoy building towers with large Duplo, concentrating hard as they join the pieces together. Children spend time playing with colourful toys and are fascinated when they press buttons to make sounds and lights come on. They enjoy looking at picture cards with the childminder and take books to her in which she describes the pictures. This encourages children’s language development. Children get great pleasure from having songs sung to them by the childminder and making sounds with various musical instruments. Children have lots of opportunities to use their imaginations on first hand experiences, such as playing with dolls and putting them in the pram. Their creative development is fully enhanced, as they enjoy painting in various ways, sticking activities and drawing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a wide range of stimulating play experiences outside of the home, for example, regular visits to parks and going on walks in which the childminder talks to the children about things around them, such buses and the colour of the trees. They also attend various toddler groups in which they develop their social skills and access further play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children have access to a good range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity and disability, such as dolls, toy wheelchairs, play figures and a few books. There are no children currently on roll with learning difficulties or disabilities. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated that she would meet the needs of children with special needs, through discussions with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children currently minded are calm and happy because the childminder gives them regular praise and encouragement. They enjoy a regular routine and when playing are busy and content. This prevents behaviour difficulties arising.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationship with the parents. The childminder spends time with them, before the child starts, finding about the child’s needs and any dietary requirements. The childminder shares her policies and information on training she has attended with the parents. They are made aware of how to make a complaint about any concerns they may have. The childminder gives verbal feedback to the parents of their child’s day, which supports consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and secure in the lounge which is organised into a child centred environment to maximise children’s play opportunities. The childminder plans her time, so she can give the children her full attention when they are present.

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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 Documentation is well maintained and the polices and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and safety of the children. The childminder displays information for the parents to view, such as menus and her registration certificate. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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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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 the local authority child protection guidelines for childminders are easily available at all times • provide children with a further range of books which reflect positive images of diversity

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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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