Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242604 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2007 Inspection date June Fielden 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 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and 11 in Beddington, Croydon. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus a first floor bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time, and one child full-time. She walks and drives to local schools, parks and shops, and regularly attends toddler groups. The family have two pet rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. The childminder excludes sick children to safeguard the health of others. Parents are provided with this information in writing when contracts are signed. Her medication records are well completed, and prior written permission is obtained before any medicine is administered to children. They wash their hands when they

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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 come in from playing in the garden, and paper towels are provided, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. However, children do not always wash their hands before eating their lunch, which impacts on their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their own food for children, which is stored in the fridge, to ensure it remains fresh. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. She monitors what children eat to make sure they have a nutritious diet. Parents are encouraged to bring fruit for children's snacks, which can be put on a plate for everyone to share. Children are regularly offered drinks, to make sure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children exercise effectively by playing with the variety of toys available to them in the childminder's spacious garden. They are also taken on outings and attend toddler groups, where they socialise and play with others, using the equipment provided. Children sleep in travel cots if they are tired, either in the playroom, or an upstairs bedroom, where it is quiet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a broad range of toys and equipment to meet all their developmental needs. They benefit from having their own playroom where the majority of the toys are stored, ready for them to use. Children move around freely throughout the ground floor of the childminder's home, choosing for themselves what they wish to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has effective safety measures in place, including stair gates, socket covers and a fireguard. She has an emergency escape plan which is practised with children, and regular risk assessments are completed. The childminder also takes children's contact details and a first aid kit with her on outings. However, there is some ivy accessible to children in the garden, which affects their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. Her child protection policy is shared with parents, and states the procedure to be followed in the event of concerns being raised about children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder encourages young children to be independent. As a result they walk around the garden by themselves, exploring the outdoor environment, and are confident when visitors are present. The childminder sits down with children at their level when she is playing with them, and shows them affection whenever they need reassurance. She amuses children by singing songs to them and holding their hands while they dance. The childminder differentiates activities to meet the needs of all children. For example, while the older children are painting the younger children are given the same picture to colour with crayons. The childminder holds a weekly 'show and tell' session when all minded children are present. These are focused on a different subject each week, to develop children's understanding of letters, numbers and colours. The childminder provides a variety of dressing-up clothes and role play equipment, to enable

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children to be creative, and use their imagination.

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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 are all treated with equal concern by the childminder. She liaises with parents to meet their individual needs, and has a settling in procedure for new children. The childminder provides effective resources to promote children's understanding of diversity, including books and puzzles. She communicates with other professionals regarding any learning difficulties children have, and monitors their progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed about their child's day through the detailed daily diaries the childminder completes for each child. They also have the opportunity to talk to the childminder at the beginning and end of the day. Parents can also contact the childminder by telephone at any time, if there is something they need to discuss with her. They have been fully informed of the complaints procedure the childminder will follow, should they wish to raise a concern. Parents are given a copy of the childminder's behaviour management policy with their contract. Children are removed from the group for a short while if they act inappropriately, and positive behaviour is promoted by praise, to raise children's self esteem. The childminder encourages children to have good manners and to take turns when playing games.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder always stays with them. She organises her day to ensure children follow a regular routine, and have suitable space in which to play. Children's records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality, and are made available to a child's parents on request. The childminder updates children's personal details whenever any changes occur. Her registration certificate is on display to inform parents of the conditions under which she operates. However, the childminder has breached her conditions of registration by caring for more children than she is registered for, which impacts on the care provided for them. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder record information about children's special dietary requirements, and ensure that children's records contain enough information to enable appropriate care to be given. The childminder now obtains and records information about children's dietary needs, in order to maintain their good health. She also notes details of children's likes, dislikes and habits when childminding commences, to enable her to fully meet their needs.

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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.

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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 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): • ensure that appropriate hygiene routines are in place • ensure that hazardous plants are inaccessible to children in the garden • comply with conditions of registration, regarding the number of children who may be cared for at any one time.

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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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