Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY316063 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk 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, first registered 2006 lives in a three bedroom town house with garden close to South Bermondsey station in south east London. She lives at the premises with her husband and two young children. Minded children have access to the ground floor and upper bathroom and bedroom. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old of whom three may be aged under five years old and of these, one may be aged under a year. There is currently one child on role. The childminder is qualified in childcare to NVQ level and has experience working in a nursery. She attends local clubs and childminder network groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well maintained because the childminder gives priority to health and hygiene procedures. This includes keeping the children clean and encouraging their good habits. The children's nappies are regularly changed and the childminder is aware of procedures to prevent cross infection. Children are looked after when they are unwell and the childminder readily gives cuddles to help the children feel settled and at home. Clear procedures for

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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 medication and emergency medical treatment are completed and the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate. The children are well nourished when with the childminder who has trained in cooking skills. They benefit from regular access to water. The children enjoy a varied and well balanced diet which includes culturally reflective meals, fruit and vegetables. The childminder ensures she meets children's individual dietary needs in consultation with the children's parents and records any allergies as appropriate. Children have good opportunities to benefit from regular fresh air and large physical play as they visit local clubs and parks and practice skills such as balance in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being in an environment which is safe and secure. They use good quality equipment which is well maintained and meets safety requirements. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder carefully supervises and monitors the children in her care. She has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and has attended recent training in safeguarding procedures. Policies and procedures which underpin these aims are shared with children's parents and good links maintained with the Local Authority to share information if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given further priority because the childminder uses clear procedures to ensure children's supervision and safety when on outings and when they are sleeping. For example, the childminder completes her paperwork in the same room whilst the children are sleeping upstairs. Children are protected from fire hazards because the childminder has equipment such as fire blankets and smoke alarms installed in her house and she helps the children to understand what to do in the event of a fire. Fire drills are recorded as appropriate. The childminder's home is free from hazards and as a result the children are able to play safely and accidents are kept to a minimum.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being with the childminder and settle well into her family. She gets to know the children well by talking to their parents and observing what the children like to do. In response to this she has created sensory glitter bottles to engage younger children's response, for example. The children demonstrate increasing confidence in the environment and are given space and time to get to know the routine. They benefit from the childminder's calm and experienced approach and enjoy interacting with the childminder's own children, for example. Children's independence is encouraged as they choose from resources in the treasure basket and from books and dressing up clothes. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Birth to Three Matters framework well to plan for the younger children and they benefit from a good level of one to one attention and from lots of reassurance and cuddles from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy props provided at story time and a range of sensory activities where they paint with their hands, for example. At times the childminder lacks confidence in questioning the children to further encourage their learning. The children often use a range of materials to create interesting art work to share with their parents and attend local clubs and playgroups to supplement their learning.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being with the childminder who is welcoming and responsive to children's individual needs. She provides an environment which celebrates difference in language and culture and often provides meals based on her own Ethiopian cooking. Children's appreciation of different ways of living is supported because the childminder integrates a particularly good range of different equipment in their play. For example, the children use a range of multi cultural books and small world resources which reflect disability. Children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcomed into her home and the childminder gets to know the children well by careful observation and lots of close contact. Children behave well and are busy and engaged in activities at the childminders in response to her calm and reassuring nature. They develop well because the childminder works alongside their parents. She keeps a range

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of photographs and samples of the children's work which, together with daily diaries helps parents to know what their children are doing each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from being with the childminder who is exceptionally well organised, qualified and experienced in childcare. She is committed to providing a good quality service and has attended a wealth of training including national vocational and Birth to three matters training to underpin this aim. She is able to put her knowledge into practice well when working with the children. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and ensures children are well supervised. She has an up to date first aid certificate and has close links with the Local Authority and childminding groups to ensure she is up to date with regulations and expectations in this field. The childminders documentation is particularly well organised and policies and procedures clearly shared with parents and confidential as necessary. The children settle well in the environment and the childminder uses her time well to plan for and support

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Organisation

their individual care, wellbeing and safety. Children have clear routines for playing, rest and attending local groups. The childminder 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 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): • develop confidence in questioning the children to encourage their learning during play

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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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