Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242228 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2007 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and three sons in a three bed-roomed house in Moreden, within walking distance to shops, schools, parks and the doctors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for three children under the age of eight and currently cares for one child fulltime.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in warm, clean premises where good standards of hygiene are maintained. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the need to promote good hygiene routines with the children in her care. Children, therefore, know to wash their hands when they come in from outdoor play to have their snack, and this minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a fully stocked first aid kit, an up to date knowledge of first aid and is aware of the correct

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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 procedures to follow for recording accidents and medication administered to the minded children. This protects their health. However, she does not ensure her sickness policy is formally shared with parents, hence, this does not minimise their exposure to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they enjoy whist in the setting. They learn about the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and have recently grown, picked, washed and eaten strawberries with the childminder. The childminder liaises with parents regarding children's dietary needs. Information gained is recorded, and any preferences are catered for. She is confident in discussing healthy eating with parents, encouraging alternatives to foods that are not good for the children's development. Children have access to drinks at all times meaning they have enough fluids throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise, with daily walks to the local school. They frequently play in the garden, where they have access to a wide range of toys and equipment. For example, balls, bikes, scooters. During the inspection, children enjoyed playing football in the garden, where they took turns kicking the ball to one another. They rode around on the bicycles and tricycles, being keen to exert their energy. Thus, they demonstrate a positive attitude towards physical activity. Children often visit the park, where they play on the large apparatus, have picnics and take the bicycles for rides.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in welcoming premises where the best use of space has been made. They have access to a wide range of toys that stimulate them and help support their development in all areas. These are stored in a way that encourages the children to make choices in their play. Hence, this promotes their confidence and independence. The childminder regularly rotates the toys, offering children a greater choice in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safe premises, free from risks, as the childminder has identified potential hazards in her home and minimised these effectively. For example, sockets are covered, safety gates prevent access to the stairs and kitchen and the premises are all secure. Children, therefore, play freely and in safety. All fire safety precautions are well promoted, the smoke alarms are frequently tested, the evacuation plan is displayed and regularly practised with the minded children. Hence, its effectiveness in the event of a fire is monitored closely. The childminder has a clear emergency plan in place which protects the children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has an appropriate knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. However, she does not formally share her child protection duties with parents and this does not actively promote the children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a secure bond with the childminder, readily approaching her for assistance and to engage in play. The children form positive relationships with the childminder's own children, and they play well together. For example, when playing with the cars. The childminder interacts well with the minded children, showing interest in them and their personal lives. She gets down to their level and talks to

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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 them during their play, hence, supporting their language development well. Children happily participate in the activities, for example, playing football outside and sitting down together for snack. They chat and laugh together, demonstrating a sense of security in her care. Children are able to make choices with regard to the toys they wish to play with. They readily access construction equipment, small world toys and physical equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a suitable range of activities that help promote their development. They often engage in role play, art and crafts and physical play. They participate in family type activities, including cooking and gardening, and recently planted sunflowers to take home to grow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who knows the children in her care well, knows their strengths and builds upon these. Hence, children have their self-esteem promoted. Children have access to a variety of toys that promote positive images of diversity in the daily play. They have regular opportunities to become familiar with their local environment, visiting local parks and shops and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder realises the importance of interacting and playing with the children, sustaining their interests, hence children do not become bored or frustrated. Through discussion, she demonstrates a sound awareness of the appropriate methods to use for managing children's behaviour, including the use of praise and encouragement. The childminder works closely with parents regarding managing children's behaviour, ensuring they all work together to enable children to receive consistent messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents as they have their care needs respected and catered for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily regarding children's routines, as well as the activities they have participated in. The positive relationship the childminder has with parents, enables childcare issues to be easily discussed, hence continuity of care is offered. The childminder is not aware of requirement to respond to and record complaints and, no policy is available to parents which has the contact details of the regulator.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She maintains the required adult to child ratios at all times, thus children receive suitable adult support. Children are well supervised and supported during their play, and have their needs well met.

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Organisation

All required consents have been gained from parents regarding children participating in activities and routines. This protects their well-being and ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder implements all required procedures in a way that promotes the children's well-being. However, she has not formalised her policies to ensure parents are aware of her duties as a registered childcare provider.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and to make sure that poisonous plants or other potential hazards are inaccessible to the children when in the garden. She also agreed to obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle, provide a first aid box the contents of which are checked frequently and replaced as necessary and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid kit, which is readily available in the event of an accident. Children are well supervised when in the garden, plants have been checked and hazards are minimised due the good supervision of the children. The childminder has now gained written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment and for transporting them in a car. This protects the children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 no complaints have been made to Ofsted that has 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 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 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 a policy for responding to and recording complaints is maintained and this includes the contact details of the regulator and is made accessible to parents • update paperwork to reflect the policies and procedures the childminder is required to follow as a registered childcare provider

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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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