Long Lee Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107265 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Denys Rasmussen 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her friend and adult daughter in West Dulwich, in the London borough of Southwark.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll aged from one to nine years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the flat except for one bedroom is used for childminding purposes. There is no direct access to a garden, however the childminder takes the children to local groups and local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an NVQ 3 in Childcare and Education.

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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 good. The childminder has a first aid certificate, records accidents well and has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical assistance. This means accidents are dealt with appropriately. The childminder keeps her home and equipment clean and encourages the children to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine. Children use liquid soap and have individual towels, this helps to prevent cross-contamination. Her effective sick child policy which includes exclusion periods helps to prevent the spread of infection. The family cat is cared for hygienically and the childminder ensures the children do not have access to the litter tray.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of food hygiene as she has recently attended a food safety course. Her sample menu is available for parents' information and she ensures children are offered vegetables and fresh fruit daily to encourage them to make healthy choices. The meals are nutritious as the childminder prepares them from fresh produce. Children's dietary needs are taken into account and parents wishes are respected. Children have independent access to filtered water which is kept in their bottles or beakers on the side. One parent commented "She prepares what we consider 'proper' cooked meals and healthy snacks for our child".

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that she plans for the children's physical development as she does not have direct access to a garden. She promotes this well by visiting local parks, physical play centres and toddler groups and by providing wheeled toys for the children to use inside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has risk assessed her home and has a risk tick list she completes on a daily basis. She has put measures in place to keep children safe. For example, electrical sockets are covered, all wires are tidily obscured and hazardous substances are locked away out of children's reach. The childminder understands her responsibility to the children in her care and the child protection procedures to follow if she were concerned about a child's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder lives in a first floor flat and provides overnight care, so she has been conscientious in ensuring her fire safety precautions are in place. She has completed a fire risk assessment and has an emergency escape plan which she has practised with the children. This means they learn how to leave the premises quickly and calmly. However, she has not recorded this. One parent commented "our child is cared for in a safe environment with someone that we trust whole-heartedly".

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's home is welcoming with children's work displayed on the walls and an informative notice board for parents. Space is organised effectively to create a child friendly environment which enables the children to make choices in their play and eat, rest and play in comfort. Children have access to a vast range of good quality play resources which they can play with safely, as the childminder ensures they are age appropriate and are bought from reputable sources.

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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 outstanding. The childminder's exceptional understanding of child development and how children learn contributes greatly to the quality of activities and experiences that the children are offered. The childminder plays with the children at their level; she gets down on the floor and inspires their play by supporting and guiding them, being enthusiastic and knowing them well enough to know what interests them. She supports the children's learning by continuing themes and interests from their nursery. For example, the theme was 'journeys', so she took the children to the train station to discuss train journeys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have access to a vast variety of good quality play resources which she has ensured portray positive images of culture, race and disability. Children learn to listen and respond while enjoying and sharing stories, songs and games. The childminder uses props to engage the children and sustain their interest in nursery rhymes. They are encouraged to explore, using their senses to experiment and express themselves. For example, they enjoyed experimenting with corn flour and the childminder extended their play by asking pertinent questions to make them think. One parent commented "the childminder provides a very high quality of care for our child, which we see reflected in his positive development since she has been looking after him".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children attend regular groups and meet up with other children. This enables them to make friends building their confidence and social skills. The children's self esteem is nurtured because the childminder values their work. The children proudly show me their drawings that the childminder has displayed in a scrap book. The childminder interacts in a gentle and supportive manner; she meets the children's individual needs well and warm relationships are evident. This ensures they make very good progress in all areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she takes detailed information about the children to be able to provide individual care. She ensures her play resources are varied and does not gender stereotype children's play. She ensures she treats children as individuals with their own needs and beliefs. The childminder has had some experience of caring for children with disabilities and has a positive attitude to providing individualised care and providing an inclusive environment. The childminder has a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. Her realistic expectations and use of praise and distraction, help children to behave well. Her gentle guidance ensures children play well together. Parents are well informed about their child's day. The childminder keeps a journal about each child and gives parents copies of photographs she has taken of the children involved in daily events and activities. One parent commented "the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder listens and is prepared to act upon any suggestions that we may have. Most importantly, she treats our child as an individual". There is an informative notice board for parents, where the childminder displays information about the Foundation Stage and activities that their children have been involved in. The good communication between childminder and parent helps the children's care to be consistent so that they are settled and secure.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well qualified and experienced which means children's play opportunities are maximised. She ensures she understands the children's interests, she inspires them to learn and promotes their enjoyment of the outdoors. Space and resources are well organised to create a stimulating environment where children are busy playing, learning, resting or eating throughout the day. The childminder has attended relevant training to keep her practice up-to-date. She has a good understanding of the National Standards and how this relates to her practice. The required documentation is well maintained to a good standard to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children's needs are well met because of the good relationships and effective communication with the parents. Parents are well informed about their child's progress and the service provided. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom

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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): • improve the fire safety procedures by logging the fire drill.

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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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