Childminder in BexleyOfsted inspection, 22 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115721 Inspection date 22 June 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 for 19 years. She lives with her husband and grown up son in a three bedroom house in Sidcup, within walking distance of local schools and shops. Minded children have access to the through lounge, kitchen, the garden, which is safe and secure and the upstairs bathroom. The bedrooms are not used for childminding purposes. The childminder is currently caring for two children aged two years during the day

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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 and for seven children before and after school on various days. She provides a drop off and collection service for Longlands School. The family have a pet cockatiel and some fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Cleaning and hygiene routines protect children's health and help prevent the spread of infection. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after they come in from the garden and the childminder ensures the home environment is kept clean and organised, enabling the children to play freely and safely. Although the childminder maintains an accident record, not all accidents, in particular minor accidents are recorded consistently, to ensure children's safety at all times. Children's well being is enhanced through the written information in place and through regular discussions with parents. Children enjoy physical activity in the garden and out locally. They confidently use a satisfactory range of well maintained and age appropriate equipment. Children are able to enjoy challenges available and try using equipment in different ways as the childminder provides an appropriate level of supervision.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are confident about asking for drinks and are provided with their own individual cup and the childminder ensures the children are well nourished. She provides a satisfactory range of foods and children enjoy a variety of different vegetables and fruit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use a sufficient range of safe and developmentally appropriate resources. These are organised at the child's level to encourage decision making skills and independent access. The large activity table was some what cluttered restricting the clear space available for table top activities. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the organised premises with good safety and security precautions, such as maintained smoke alarms on all levels and regular risk assessments. The childminder has developed a procedure to follow in the event of an emergency in the home and this has been practiced with the children. Children are well protected. The childminder has developed a written policy on child protection which is based on current guidance. She is confident of her responsibility in the event that a child protection concern is raised.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. Children become independent as they choose what they want to do in garden and indoors. The childminder uses her knowledge of the individual children attending to provide a sufficient range of activities to stimulate them. Although she is aware of the Birth to Three matters framework, her knowledge of this to influence the provision to promote younger children’s learning is limited. Children are developing their early social skills, such as turn taking and sharing and the childminder affords appropriate support to them in their play to encourage participation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all families into her home. Children benefit from the development of good working relationships between parents and childminder. The childminder respects parents views and wishes in meeting the needs of their child. The children have opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through the activities provided and the satisfactory range of resources in place to support this. The childminder has developed a sufficient range of resources to represent a positive image of people in the community and demonstrates a pro-active approach to meeting the needs of all children. This positive approach fosters children's cultural and social development well. The childminder sets realistic boundaries for the children and ensures that the explanations given for unacceptable behaviour are understood according to the child's age and stage of development. This helps them learn to negotiate with others

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and take responsibility for their own behaviour. She increases children’s understanding of right and wrong and they respond well to her consistent and fair approach.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space for active play, quiet activities, rest and relaxation. Children are able to choose their activities and whether they wish to play inside or out in the garden. The childminder offers appropriate support to the children and encourages conversation and social skills. The childminder has a good level of experience in childcare and a sound knowledge of the children she is caring for, this helps her provide a satisfactory range of

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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 experiences to stimulate the children. She expressed an interest in attending relevant training to further enhance her service, however she has not managed to do this as yet. The childminder keeps appropriate records and a file of information which is organised to be available for sharing with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder develop policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision and to ensure Ofsted's details are available for parents. She was also asked to review the range of resources to reflect a positive image of the community and the storage of toys to ensure easy access for the children. The childminder has made significant improvements in her record keeping. She has developed simple, yet clear, written policies to support her provision and she has made available to parents, the new Ofsted poster informing them of who to contact in the event of a concern or comment. Reorganisation of toys and resources and an ongoing programme for extending the range of resources to reflect a positive image of the community enhances children enjoyment and independence at the children's home and contributes to their understanding of equality.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 Ofsted have not received any complaints about this provider.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of Birth to Three Matters guidance to further enhance the curriculum offered to the younger children.

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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 • review the recording of accidents to ensure all accidents, however minor, are recorded to safeguard the children at all times. • consider attending relevant training to further develop childminding practices.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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