Homerton College of Technology

Inspection report for early years provision

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100280 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2007 Inspection date Dinah Round 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 registered to care for children in 1997. She lives with her daughter aged 19 years. They live in a house in Bournemouth, in Dorset, within walking distance of the local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Childminding is mainly carried out on the ground floor with toilet facilities and sleep provision on the first floor. Children have access to a securely enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have two dogs which children have access to under supervision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight, and currently cares for four children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding group.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. Their health is satisfactorily supported through the provision of disposable wipes, liquid soap and individual towels. Children are generally helped to learn about the importance of washing their hands before eating. However, the hygiene practices are inconsistent which means the risk of cross-infection and spreading germs is not always minimised. For example, the dogs are allowed to chew on the children's toys, and children do not wash their hands before eating their snack after they have been touching the animals. Children would be suitably supported in the event of an emergency as the childminder has a current first aid certificate. Clear accident and medication records are maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with drinks at lunch time and ask when they need a drink during the day. Parents provide all children's food and their dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure their needs are followed. The childminder links closely with parents in encouraging children to try new tastes, such as baking tuna and sweetcorn pasties to give children a variety of foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to outdoor play activities through use of the garden and regular trips to the local park. This makes sure that children have regular fresh air and exercise. Children have use of a variety of equipment to help promote their physical development, such as pedal and push vehicles, and they enjoy using the climbing apparatus when they visit the Avon Country Park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home due to the effective safety measures maintained within the premises. This includes safety gates to prevent access to the stairs and locks on low level cupboards housing cleaning materials. This allows children to move freely and safely around within the environment as they choose different toys. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the gentle reminders given by the childminder, such as the importance of sitting properly on the chair as they eat their lunch. A wide range of toys and resources are available. The childminder supervises children closely to ensure they can safely make their choice of activity from the outdoor storage shed, and that toys are age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected when on outings due to the good procedures followed by the childminder. This includes carrying out visual risk assessments to determine play parks are safe and suitable for the children's age and stage of development. The older children are taught road safety and learn the importance of walking safely on the pavements. Clear written emergency procedures are in place and children take part in regular evacuation practises which helps them know what to do in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. She attends training to keep herself up-to-date with changes, which helps in her role of safeguarding children. A child protection policy is shared with parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. They have good relationships with the childminder which makes them feel settled and secure. Children are confident, their independence is promoted well as the childminder encourages them to try new things and learn to do things for themselves. For example, the older children are given opportunities to learn new skills, such as roller skating.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's positive involvement with their play, as she talks and listens to them, asking questions to help promote their learning and development. For example, children enjoy playing the magnetic fish game and show excitement as they catch one, proudly saying 'I've got another one'. The childminder encourages the children to count the different fish and to identify particular colours. Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of creative activities, such as baking activities, playdough, chalking and painting. For example, they painted their feet and made their own foot prints following an outing to the shoe shop to have their feet measured. The childminder's flexible routine enables the older children to participate in their after-school activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular trips to places of interest outside the home, such as Farmer Palmers and Branksome beach, which helps to extend their learning experiences. Children attend childminding activity groups and the local Surestart groups, which encourages socialising and helps develop their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to share and think of others through the effective behaviour management strategies used by the childminder. For example, children are gently reminded to take turns to throw the dice as they play the hedgehog game, and older children get involved in developing a rota for sitting on the favourite stool at meal times. A behaviour policy is shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are respected as individuals. They develop a sense of belonging as the childminder displays their artwork and various photographs on the notice board. Children's particular needs are identified through close liaison with the parents and the childminder ensures these are followed. Children have occasional access to resources that reflect diversity, however, this is not actively promoted within their play and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the regular exchange of information between the childminder and their parents. Daily informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day makes sure parents are kept well informed about their child's care. The childminder is flexible with childcare arrangements to suit the parent's needs, and parents are happy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and relaxed in the welcoming environment provided by the childminder. Space is sufficiently well organised to allow children to move round safely within their play. However, effective hygiene procedures are not always put into practice to fully support children's health. Children take part in a variety of play activities which includes regular outings to provide them with different experiences. Although, the opportunities to raise children's awareness of

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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 diversity is not fully explored. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder attends regular training relevant to her role which contributes towards the children's care and well being. In general documentation is well organised and stored securely. Some policies and procedures have been developed which are shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to practise an emergency evacuation procedure with all children. This is now regularly practised.

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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 to 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): • improve hygiene practices, and ensure consistent procedures are followed to help protect children's health • develop activities and play opportunities to help raise children's awareness of diversity

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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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