Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242466 Unique Reference Number 16 August 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 has been a registered childminder since July 2003. She lives with her young daughter. She is registered to take six children under eight years old of whom three may be aged under five years old and of these one child may be aged under a year old. There are currently five children on roll attending for a range of part time places.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a three-bedroom house in Nunhead. Shops, a park and a library are within walking distance. The ground floor of the property, toilet facilities and the spare room on the upper floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from attending a clean and well managed home. They learn good habits such as washing their hands when they return from school and after using the toilet. Their good health is supported because the childminder uses clear procedures, including when changing

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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 younger children's nappies and this limits the risk of cross contamination. Clear and well understood medication procedures ensure children are well cared for when they are unwell and the children benefit from the routine provided which allows them a variety of activities including times to rest and be quiet during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good physical development and lots of fresh air. They enjoy regular outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, when using the childminder's trampoline and playing catch ball or skipping in the area outside the childminders house. Children are well nourished because the childminder provides freshly prepared meals which are of good quality. These include Spaghetti Bolognese with pureed courgettes and carrots to ensure children have regular vegetables in their diet. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from attending the childminder's house which is safe and free from hazards and the childminder has clear safety policies to ensure children's wellbeing at home and when on outings. The children get to know the childminder and the environment quickly and select activities from a good range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards. The childminder supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, school aged children's resources are packed away before the younger children attend. Children are well supervised and accidents and incidents clearly recorded and shared with parents. The children are protected from fire hazards because the childminder has installed fire safety equipment and has a carefully thought out escape plan, however, there has been no practice fire drill to help children understand this issue. Children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

wellbeing is safeguarded because the childminder carefully monitors children and talks to parents about this procedure. She understands National Safeguarding Procedures and monitors and records any concerns she may have in a confidential manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed with the childminder who is friendly and enthusiastic in her approach to childminding. She gets to know them well and is able to provide activities which they enjoy and that stimulate their interests such as art and crafts, drawing and completing puzzles. The childminder and children relate well to each other as they chat about their favourite things to do. Children's learning is supplemented by provision of a range of toys and resources such as role play equipment and musical instruments and interspersed with cooking and baking activities. Particular attention is given to the children's physical development and the children show increasing skills, for example, throwing and catching, skipping and using the childminders trampoline. They learn to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local childminding groups and at the park and often visit the local museum for extra activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued for their individuality and interests and the childminder provides a welcoming environment. She talks positively about the diversity in her local environment and is herself a

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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 Danish speaker. As a result the children settle well. The childminder meets the children’s needs well and works positively with parents in sharing information about children's daily activities and procedures which she has in place. However, the childminder's complaints procedure has not been updated to reflect current guidelines. A good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world helps to increase children’s awareness of others. For example, small world figures and puzzles which reflect disability are integrated into children's play. The children behave very well because the childminder is firm but friendly and offers lots of praise and consistency in her expectations for their conduct.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and relaxed in the childminder's home and are increasingly able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. They are consistently supervised and able to explore the internal and outside environment knowing the childminder is close by. Children benefit from being with a childminder who is enthusiastic and committed to providing a good quality service. Clear documentation is in place and securely underpins her practice. Records are stored confidentially and shared with parents where necessary to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. The childminder uses policies and procedures effectively overall to promote the welfare, care and learning of children but some policies such as the complaints procedure has not been updated. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and practice an emergency evacuation plan and to provide parents with a written policy about the exclusion of children who are sick or infectious. An evacuation plan has been put into place but has not yet been not practiced. The childminder has an exclusion policy which is given to parents as an introduction and this ensures children's good health is safeguarded.

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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 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 fire drill is practiced in order to familiarise children with this procedure • ensure the complaints procedure is updated to include details of the regulator

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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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