Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY244072 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged two years, six years and eight years old. The family live in a five bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon in Surrey. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old, and there are currently three children under eight on roll. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from varied, healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs. They take part in regular physical activity that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They

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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 enjoy visits to the park or playing in the garden, happily riding bikes, having a turn on the swing or bouncing on the trampoline.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn about simple good hygiene practices when they wash their hands before they eat and after they use the toilet. The childminder takes precautions to help reduce the risk of cross-infection, such as keeping floors and surfaces clean and following careful procedures when she changes nappies. There are systems in place for keeping records of any accidents children have and any medicine they need to be given, and a suitable first aid box is available if required. Overall, systems in place promote children's health, however, the childminder has not made sure that her first aid qualification has been kept up to date to ensure she can act appropriately should a child have an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, child-centred environment with facilities to meet their needs. They help themselves to toys and play materials from the wide range available in the well-equipped playroom. The childminder makes sure they can only reach toys that are age appropriate and checks regularly to make sure resources are not damaged, which helps ensure children can play safely. Children's risk of accidental injury is generally minimised because the childminder takes steps to reduce most potential hazards, for example, by fitting covers to all exposed electrical sockets and making sure that windows lock. However, some areas, such as the cellar and the garden steps, have not yet been made safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of her responsibility towards the children in her care, which helps safeguard their welfare. She is familiar with local child protection procedures and knows what steps to take if she is worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable and settled in the childminder's home. They confidently join in with activities and express their needs. They have good relationships with the childminder, who responds to them warmly, joining in with their play and showing an interest in what they say and do. Children enjoy playing a game with her where they try to find a hidden toy animal, laughing as they each take a turn. The childminder encourages learning as she talks to children about the colours they use for their picture, and she gives lots of praise which fosters their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a broad range of activities and experiences which support their development and learning. They enjoy outings to the park, to playgroups where they can socialise with other children, or to choose books and listen to stories at the library. At the childminder's home they help themselves to toys and play materials in the playroom or use the play equipment in the garden, as well as joining in planned activities such as art and craft, play dough or baking cakes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder makes sure activities are appropriate to children's age and stage of development to ensure they can all take part. She talks to children

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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 about different places around the world and children enjoy experiences such as eating Chinese food to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which helps them learn to value diversity. Children respond well to the childminder's calm approach to behaviour management. She encourages them to share and take turns and reminds them of the boundaries and expectations. This helps them behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents and they are welcomed into her home. She talks to parents every day to exchange information and ensure children experience consistent care. Written agreements are in place but a number of consents have not been signed by parents to ensure that their wishes are clear.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder keeps all of the required records that promote the health, welfare and wellbeing of minded children, although the attendance register does not contain enough detail about the actual times children are in her care. She has completed some required registration training but has not maintained an up to date first aid certificate, which impacts on her ability to maintain children's health in the event of an accident. However, the childminding home is well organised around the children's needs; there are dedicated childminding rooms with ample space for play and children can easily access toys and play materials. This helps them make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided. Overall, 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 was asked to devise a system to record any incident where physical restraint was required to prevent personal injury to a child. She now has a book that can be used to keep a record and ensure parents are kept informed of any incidents should they occur.

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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 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): • make sure that a valid paediatric first aid certificate is maintained • make sure all relevant signed consents from parents are in place • make sure attendance records show children's actual times of arrival and departure rather than contracted hours • improve safety precautions in relation to the garden steps and children's access to the cellar

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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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