Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342064 Unique Reference Number 09 July 2007 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 September 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children aged six and eight years. They live in a residential area of Thornton Heath, in the London borough of Croydon, close to parks, shops, schools and public transport.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is to be used for childminding except the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of these not more than three may be under the age of five years. At the time of the inspection there were five children on roll aged under eight years and two children aged over eight years.

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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. Children learn about good hygiene practices through the every day routine. The childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and provides individual towels for the children to dry their hands with, which helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination. The environment is kept clean and tidy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected because the childminder obtains appropriate consents to give medication and has good systems in place to keep records of health needs and accidents. The childminder can respond promptly to minor accidents or injuries because she has an up to date first aid certificate and has obtained written parental permission in relation to emergency treatment. This safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a wide range of physical activities, which includes attending local toddler groups four days a week, where they can enjoy free access to messy play, sand pits and dedicated areas for the younger children to play and explore in a safe environment. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the minded children to broaden their experiences and to ensure younger children's physical developmental skills are encouraged.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating healthy meals and snacks, such as oranges for mid-morning snacks. Children are encouraged to think and talk about healthy eating and enjoy trips to the local supermarket to select fresh fruit and vegetables. This helps children recognise foods that are good for them and helps them develop good eating habits. A menu is displayed for parents to view which includes sugar free desserts and drinks. The childminder respects parental wishes and has a good understanding of the individual dietary requirements of the children in her care; this ensures food meets the children’s individual dietary needs. Fresh drinking water is also available throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm, secure home environment. They have a very good range of toys and resources that are made easily accessible to them. This helps to make the children feel welcome in the setting and encourages them to make choices and decisions for themselves. They have good space to play and rest within and are kept safe by the effective safety precautions that the childminder has ensured are in place. Including suitable fire safety precautions incorporating regular emergency evacuation practices. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises, including the garden, are secure and there are good procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access. Older children are aware that they must walk with the childminder when out and wear contact wrist bands when visiting busy venues such as farms, as a precaution in case they become separated from the childminder. This helps to promote their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care in line with the latest government guidance. This

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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 supports children’s wellbeing. The childminder is aware of the need to keep records if she has any concerns, but has not obtained parental signatures to confirm such records.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly and enjoy well organised activities that interest them and meet their developmental needs. They feel a sense of belonging because they play an active part in accessing and choosing their own activities. They also enjoy a varied range of educational and fun activities, which are planned in advance and take account of their individual needs and abilities. 'Magic painting books', drawing shapes and dressing up in the nurse's uniform are favourite activities for the older children, for example. While younger children enjoy a varied range of activities that are made available to them at their level, including musical instruments, such as home made drums from pots and wooden spoons, for example.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures she has good knowledge of the children she cares for, which enables children to feel secure and comfortable in her care. She has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and uses this training to provide a good routine for the younger children, which includes time for rest and quiet activities when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from playing in a well organised environment where bright displays of posters, photographs and samples of children's artwork make a very welcoming environment for the children. Children also benefit from weekly trips to various toddler groups, and local libraries and museums. A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities helps children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and receive praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. This contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. Children are gently reminded to use their manners by saying 'excuse me please' for example. They are advised that what they have to say is important and people do want to listen to them, but sometimes they may have to wait, especially when younger children or babies may also need attention. They are also reminded to be kind to each other and to share the toys that are there for them all to play with and enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop a positive awareness of other races, cultures and abilities through a suitable range of resources and activities. The childminder is also a positive role model and has a positive attitude towards diversity, which encourages the children to develop a greater understanding of the community they live in and the wider world. Older children are encouraged to reflect what their differences are and are advised that 'no one is better or worse than anyone else, we are all just different'. The childminder has not cared for minded children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for such children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is very good. Parents provide relevant information about their children to the childminder when they start, this helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. Regular informal discussions and the completion of daily activity sheets by the childminder, ensures continuity of care for the children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supporting the children in their play and learning. The children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Children have time for quiet and active play, both in the home and when visiting other environments such as farms and toddler groups. The childminder ensures that she attends training on a regular basis which underpins her work with minded children. The childminder's knowledge of the requirements of the National Standards is demonstrated well in her extensive portfolio of documents which are shared with the parents.

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Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare. All mandatory records are in place, confidential and generally very well maintained. This ensures the safe and effective organisation of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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): • improve the 'records of concern' documents by requesting that parents sign to confirm the entries where relevant

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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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