Childminder in Wandsworth

Inspection report for early years provision

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159308 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the London borough of Wandsworth. The whole ground floor, son's first floor master bedroom and bathroom are areas of the childminder’s house used for childminding and 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 four child under five all day on a full- and part-time basis. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children spend their day in a clean environment as the childminder uses good hygiene routines throughout her home. For example, she cleans her home thoroughly before the children arrive each day. She has a good nappy changing routine, ensuring all dirty nappies are disposed of

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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 effectively. Children are developing their awareness of good hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating their meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive medication in accordance with their parent’s written consent. The childminder stores all medication securely and makes a record of any medication she administers to a child. Parents are given this information at the end of the day, which further promotes children's health. Children receive suitable treatment when they have an accident because the childminder has a relevant first aid qualification and fully stocked first aid kit readily available. She records all accidents and shares the information with the parents. Children are protected from the spread of cross infection because parents know they should not send a sick child to the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals and snacks, which the childminder safely stores, prepares, cooks and serves. She encourages the children to develop their awareness of healthy eating. She discusses healthy options with them at mealtimes, which is a social occasion. The children's individual dietary needs are included in the information gathered from the parent. The childminder uses this information to plan the children's meals taking into account their individual allergies, likes and dislikes. The childminder has experience in caring for children with special diets, and stores any meals provided from parents effectively. The children have regular access to drinks throughout the day. Younger children have a beaker of water or juice readily accessible, enabling them to choose when to have a drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have access to toys and equipment, which help them develop their physical skills. For example, children develop their gross motor skills as they play with the slide or on bikes. Children enjoy going on regular outings with the childminder, such as visits to the local park and to a playgroup. The childminder has obtained the appropriate parental consent in order to ensure that parents are fully informed about their children's day in the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children spend their day in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. The home is clean, bright, well-maintained and adequately ventilated throughout. They move around the available space freely, safely exploring their environment. The childminder organises the space well providing suitable areas for young children to rest and sleep comfortably. All the home furnishings are clean, suitable and safe for the children. Equipment and resources are very clean and well maintained. They are checked regularly for safety and condition. Children are able to access a good range of age appropriate equipment easily, which promotes their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as a result of the childminder's thorough awareness of health and safety. effective steps are taken to eliminate risk of injury or hazard, for example, the childminder has accessed health and safety awareness training and carries out daily risk assessments. However, the low lock on the bathroom door poses a safety risk. Children's understanding of what to do in an emergency is well protected because the childminder has devised a evacuation procedure, which is practiced at regular intervals with the children. Children are further protected because smoke alarms are fitted on all floors and regularly checked and a fire blanket is also located in the kitchen area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is generally protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she is aware of her responsibility to safeguard Children. However she is not so secure in her knowledge of

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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 government procedures as detailed in "what to do if you're worried a child is being abused" document.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and well settled in the childminder's home. They are able to initiate their own activities which promotes all areas of their development. Children are encouraged to make decisions about their play and are able to self-select from a range of age-appropriate toys and resources thus promoting their confidence and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder, for example, when reading 'So much' story. She uses animated tones to keep children captivated and they join in with story punch lines. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as they play in a safe outdoor area daily, weather permitting, and attend toddler gym. They are taken outside regularly on walks around the local area and trips to the local park. Children's self-esteem is being built upon through the childminder offering support when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make choices about their play with help and encouragement from the childminder. The childminder has experience of working with children of all ages and stages of development from babies up to and including school age children. The childminder acknowledges their individual achievements for, example, 'that's a clever girl' when completing favourite puzzle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is experienced at caring for children of varying ages and uses suitable strategies to manage behaviour. She supervises children closely and uses consistent boundaries that are familiar to them. Children know what to expect; they behave well and respond positively to the childminder’s guidance. For example, they are learning to tidy toys away when they have finished using them. The childminder helps children to develop their self-esteem, she praises their good behaviour and achievements, and use distraction and appropriate levels of stimulation to help them to focus and behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's record forms contain all of the necessary information to meet their health and welfare needs and to enable the childminder to provide appropriately for their individual care. To help children to learn about equality and to learn to value others, they use a very wide range of good quality resources that are non-gender specific, and which reflect the diverse society in which we live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops and maintains good relationships with parents, she follows their guidance to achieve individual care routines for children. She communicates effec tively with them about their children's activities; this supports continuity of care for individual children. To keep parents up to date she shares verbal information with them daily.

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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. Children are happy in a child friendly and caring environment. They are relaxed, settled and benefit from a well-organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support while being encouraged to develop their independence.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards. She has attended training in behaviour management and risk assessment and has identified that she will benefit from training in Birth to three matters. She maintains her paperwork well and provides parents with written copies of all policies. She has all required documentation in place and further supporting documentation that promote good practice.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her resources and safety in the home. The childminder has increased the safety of the electric meter, by making it inaccessible to children, which promotes children's safety. She has also increased her play materials and resources that reflect positive images of disabilities, which has increased children's opportunities for enjoying and achieving.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • increase the safety of the bathroom lock • update knowledge of government procedures as detailed in "what to do if you're worried a child is being abused" document

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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 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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