Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262918 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Michelle Smith 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 five-year-old child in Catford, within the London borough of Lewisham. The childminder has the NVQ Level 2 in childcare. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part time basis. Overnight care is provided. The whole ground floor and first floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding; there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children access a home that is clean and adequately maintained. Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene practice through the clear procedures in place for regular hand washing. For example, children wash their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Older children go to the bathroom on their own to tend to their personal needs. This means they are becoming independent learners. Children are developing good personal hygiene skills as they brush their teeth after meals.

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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 A sick children policy is in place. There are clear procedures for caring for children that become unwell. For example, children with infectious diseases are excluded. This means children's health is protected. There are clear procedures for changing children's nappies. For example, the childminder wears protective clothing and cleans the changing mat with anti bacterial spray. Therefore, children are protected from cross infection. The childminder has a good understanding of good hygiene practice; this is reflected in her daily routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has systems in place for recording medication administered to children and accidents. She has updated her knowledge in first aid, which means she can administer first aid in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to the garden where they play and develop their physical skills, as they ride wheeled toys. They benefit from daily fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from meals that are prepared by parents. They are offered a varied diet that is nutritious and well balanced. The childminder works with parents to encourage healthy eating. Children enjoy fresh fruits for snacks. This means children are developing an understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered affection from the childminder through hugs and cuddles. This means children's emotional needs are being met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a home that is warm, welcoming and secure. Children enjoy a garden that is secure and accessible for them to play. However, there was a garden fork, spade and a loose water hose in the garden. Therefore, children do not always play safely in the garden. Children access a range of toys and equipment that is in good condition and meets safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All safety equipment in place is in working order, for example, smoke alarms and safety gates. Children are safe on outings through the clear procedures in place. For example, young children are strapped securely into their buggy. Children are constantly supervised inside the home and on outings. There are clear procedures in place for checking sleeping children at regular intervals. This means children sleep safely.

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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. She has a copy of the 'What to do if your worried about a child being abuse' document and a flow chart, which is displayed on a parents notice board. The childminder is knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of abuse . This means children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of different play opportunities, that are age appropriate and to the child's level of understanding. For example, a child happily pretending to iron clothes in the home corner. This means children benefit from opportunities to take on different roles as they play. Children play well together and enjoy the company of others, they look forward to walking to the school to collect their friends. Older children are happy to play with younger children and make their time enjoyable. For example, a older child was happy to push the baby around the garden in a wheeled car. This means children are beginning to establish close relationships.

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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 Children enjoy going to the local park where they play and experience different play equipment. They are developing an understanding of the local community as they visit different places of interest. For example, the local library where they take part in story and song time. The children enjoy a visit to the Horniman museum, where they can learn about different animals of prey and experience playing with different musical instruments. The children spend their time purposefully and gain knowledge as they explore. The children enjoy their time at the childminder's. Children enjoy taking part in creative play and cooking activities, where they bake ginger biscuits and cheese scones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of different learning experiences, as they use their imagination. For instance, younger children access a sensory box and older children are challenged with a feely box, including different items. This means children are developing an understanding of their different senses, through touch. The childminder understands the importance of ensuring children are happy and well entertained. Children are becoming skilful communicators and competent learners as they play and learn new things within their setting and surroundings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a sense of belonging through the close relationships built with the childminder, she knows them well. This means she ensures the children's needs are been met. The childminder treats children as individuals and respects the importance of treating them as individuals. The childminder praises children for their achievement and understands the positive impact this has on children's self esteem. For example, children are praised for sharing and showing kindness to others. This means children are developing their self assurance which is affirmed during their play. Children's efforts are acknowledge by the childminder, this means they are becoming confident learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of differences through interaction with children from different cultural backgrounds. They enjoy play materials that reflects positive images of differences. For example, different cultural dressing up attire. The childminder has a positive attitude towards disability and works in partnership with parents and other professionals to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children have access to play materials, that reflects positive images of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play together harmoniously. There are clear systems in place to manage children's behaviour. For example, the childminder uses distraction tactics for younger children. Children are kind to each other and are beginning to develop an understanding of sharing. This means children are beginning to establish relationships with their friends. The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and communicates effectively on a daily basis. Therefore, children benefit from the continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the organised environment. They move around confidently and initiate their own play. There have been no changes to household members, this means adults with unsupervised access are suitable to do so. There are policies and procedures in place, which are used to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. For instance, a partnership with parents policy and a complaints procedure, including Ofsted details. There are systems in place for storing records, this means confidentiality is maintained.

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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 The childminder makes use of training opportunities via the Early Years Development and Partnership. She has completed her level 2 in childcare. Parents are kept well informed regarding the service, daily routine and children's activities. All relevant documentation is in place for monitoring children progress and to keep children safe.

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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 agreed to, devise and implement a system to record significant incidents relating to behaviour and the use of physical intervention and significant incidents relating to behaviour. The childminder has taken appropriate action on this and there is also a behaviour management policy.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a complaints policy in place, including Ofsted details. The fire blanket is fixed to the wall in the kitchen. There have been no changes to the number of foster children. Children have access to provision that reflects positive images of different cultures and disability. There is a suitable range of toys and play materials for older children and age appropriate play activities that meet the developmental needs of all children.

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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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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): • make sure all gardening equipment is stored safely and inaccessible to children

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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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