Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241555 Unique Reference Number 07 September 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 2003. She lives with her two year old son in a ground floor maisonette in a residential area of Croydon, close to local shops, public transport and parks. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an approved member of the Broad Green Childminding Network. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has completed a number of training courses over the years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, at the time of the inspection there were three children on roll aged under eight years, two of whom attended on a part time basis.

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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 effective every day routine. The childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Parents are requested to provide individual flannels for the children to use to clean their faces, which helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Children are encouraged to clean their teeth on a daily basis and learn the importance of keeping themselves clean and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who are potty training are encouraged in it's use with the aid of a sticker chart. Children are also encouraged to let the doll's 'use' the potty and are then given a wipe to clean the doll's hands and a sticker for the doll, as a means of reinforcing the potty training message in a fun innovative way.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has clear and effective polices in relation to caring for sick children and acts in the children’s best interests if they are ill. The procedures in place for administering medication to children are effective, this safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

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. The dressing's in the first aid box however, need to be replenished and changed regularly as they are currently not fully sufficient or suitable in some cases.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a wide range of physical activities each week, which includes attending local toddler groups, 'Wiggle and Jiggle' sessions, local ball pit's and 'Jungle Gym' venues. 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 varied healthy meals and snacks including fresh fruit daily. This helps children recognise foods that are good for them and helps them develop healthy eating habits. The childminder respects parental wishes and has a good understanding of individual dietary requirements; this ensures food meets the children’s individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Drinks of bottled water are available throughout the day and children are encouraged to take part in the '5 a day scheme', and are rewarded with a sticker when they eat fruit and/or vegetables. Children are actively encouraged to take part in the preparation of meal times by setting their own places at the table from a young age. This encourages their independence and enhances the overall meal time experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a welcoming and well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have a good range of suitable toys and resources that are made accessible to them. This helps to make children feel at home in the setting and encourages them to make choices and decisions for themselves. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety, when they are reminded to pick toys up off of the floor, so they do not trip over. This promotes their own awareness of safety issues.

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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 They are also 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

Whilst the premises are safe and secure, the garden gate is not effectively secure which results in a weakness in the procedures to prevent unknown visitors gaining access. This does not promote the children's safety. The children are transported safely in the car with the use of suitable car seats and the childminder conducts risk assessments before taking the children to new venues to maximise their safety when out.

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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. The childminder has attended training in child protection issues and is in the process of updating this training. This supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has good knowledge of the children she cares for and has a daily routine, which enables young children to feel secure and comfortable. The childminder has attended training in the Birth to three Matters framework and uses this training to provide stimulating experiences for the children. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. They receive lots of affection from her and they respond well to the attention given to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. The activities are planned on a weekly basis and incorporate a monthly theme such as 'people who help us'. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children to make progress in their learning. Children are interested in the activities available and spend time concentrating on self-chosen activities such as playing with the dolls and Dr's set. Children are also encouraged to enjoy books from a young age as they look through 'The Hungry Caterpillar' story whilst enjoying a healthy snack of fresh strawberries, for example.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from playing in an 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, other childminders homes and other places of interest. 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. All children are welcomed into the setting and are valued as individuals and treated with respect. They receive constant praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. This contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy and encourages all children to take part in all activities. The children have access to a good range of toys and resources that reflect people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs.

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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 The children are beginning to learn that they are all different and are all special, this helps children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others. This is reinforced when the children make 'stick people' as part of the 'people who help us' theme, using a range of different materials that reflect people with different skin tones and hair types.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development, are used to help children understand right from wrong. 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 good. Parents provide relevant information about their children to the childminder. This helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. Regular informal discussions and the use of a daily diary ensure continuity of care. Parents are invited to accompany the children and childminder on special trips, to Ladybird Farm for example. The childminder gives parents questionnaires to complete about the service that they and their children receive from the childminder, in order for her to improve the service she offers. This fosters good working relationships and shows that the childminder values the parents' opinions and feedback.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and has made available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has organised her whole home to ensure that children are comfortable and have ample space to play, rest and eat. Young children benefit from a well-organised routine where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The day is well-planned allowing children time for quiet and active play.

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Organisation

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 and provide valuable information for them about the service provided.

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Organisation

All of the children's records are up to date, include the necessary details and are stored in a way which promotes confidentiality. The childminder treats all information relating to the children and their families in a sensitive manner. 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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Improvements since the last inspection

During the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now obtained additional toys, resources and posters that reflect different cultures, religions and people with disabilities in positive roles. These improvements help ensure children's understanding of diversity and help to promote respect and consideration for others.

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Improvements 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 The childminder was also asked to ensure that puzzles, and all other toys are stored safely. Suitable storage units have now been obtained and are in use, ensuring that the children can safely select from these resources.

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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): • ensure the contents of the first aid box are replenished and changed regularly • improve the security arrangements in the garden

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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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