Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240498 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 March 2003. She lives with her husband in a detached house situated in a residential road located in Herne Hill area in the London borough of Lambeth.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The premises comprises of four bedrooms and shower room/WC on the first floor and through lounge, family room, kitchen and lobby area on the ground floor. Minded children have access to the through lounge, lobby area and upstairs toilet and washing facilities. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five, three days a week. The family has one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted well by the good standards of hygiene within the home. Children are encouraged to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder

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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 reminds them to wash their hands before eating their lunch and after using the toilet. They are protected from unnecessary illness as the childminder has a clear sickness policy in place which ensures that they do not attend if they are unwell. However, children are at risk of cross-infection because current nappy changing arrangements do not promote good hygiene practice, for example, children and babies nappies are changed on the childminder's lap without the use of a mat and all children attending share the same hand towel when drying their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are safeguarded by the childminder's good understanding of emergency first aid and procedures are in place to record any accidents. Babies and young children’s individual routines for eating and sleeping are followed. This ensures continuity of care and contributes to their physical well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from an exceptionally well-balanced diet which takes into account the individual dietary needs of the children. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that meals and snacks are healthy, she provides children with all their meals during the day and ensures that they receive a variety of fruits for snack. Children are becoming aware of their needs and confidently ask for a drink when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s physical development is well nurtured; the childminder ensures that they have daily opportunity for vigorous exercise making good use of the well resourced garden where the children have access to a safe trampoline and different types of pedal cars. They also have opportunities to have fresh air on a daily basis as they walk to the local school and use local parks and groups in the area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around freely and safely in this well organised warm and welcoming environment. They have opportunities to play inside or outside as they see fit as they are allowed to make their own choice. Children move around from the hallway where they engage in imaginative play to the living/dining room; they play with construction toys and are able to be creative. Toys are easily accessible to the children because the childminder has organised them in a way which enables children to see what is available and so make informed choices. There is a very good range of resources which are in good condition and of suitable design. They are age appropriate for the children attending and the childminder ensures that they are rotated on a daily basis so children have access to different things so they do not become bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in this environment because the childminder has identified hazards and taken steps to minimise accidents. For example, children are unable to access the kitchen unsupervised because there is a safety gate in place, and although the gas fire is not used, there is a nursery fire guard in place which prevents children having access to the fire place. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire because the childminder has a clear written evacuation procedure which she discusses with the older children; the children practise the fire drill on a monthly basis. In addition, smoke alarms are tested regularly and there is a fire blanket in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded in this environment because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. However, her knowledge is less secure regarding the procedures to follow in the event of her having to make a referral if she ever suspects a child’s welfare may be at risk.

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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 enjoy their time spent with the childminder. Children are engaged purposefully throughout their time with the childminder and have good opportunities to have fun, learn and develop new skills. Young children's language development is enhanced through positive interaction, repetition of words and pointing to items in books. Babies are offered cuddles as reassurance when they become upset and the childminder ensures that age appropriate toys such as those which make sounds, mirrors and others which move around, are provided to keep the babies interest and develop their curiosity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is well supported by the childminder who plans well to encourage them to create their own designs, for example, when making pictures of flowers for their mother using a medley of resources such as pipe cleaners and glitter. At other times, children concentrate on individual activities, such as colour matching and playing with the playdoh. Children play together well using their imagination, for example, whilst making use of the small world equipment when playing 'at the shops' and when 'going home with the children on the train'. They are confident, happy and full of self-esteem because the childminder praises their efforts and makes a fuss of their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers a wide variety of equipment to ensure that children do not become bored whilst in her care. She rotates these daily and displays them attractively. As a result there is always something interesting for the children to play with and more importantly allows children to make their own choices which helps to develop their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a strong sense of belonging because the childminder treats all children with equal concern and aims to meet their individual care needs, for example, she ensures that the baby receives the same amount of attention as the older children and she provides age appropriate toys for all the children. The baby is very much a part of the group whatever the activity the older children are engaged in, for example, she ensures the baby can see what is going on whilst in the baby chair. Due to the childminder’s responsive care, children feel valued and cared for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing their understanding of responsible behaviour. They are learning to share and take turns and work co-operatively together, and as a result are learning right from wrong. The childminder uses positive methods such as distraction and re-direction to resolve disputes. She is a good role model to the children as she responds to them in a calm and sensitive manner without ever having to raise her voice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding of others and their culture through access to a range of resources that reflect multicultural and disability issues, including some which the childminder has made, for example, some of the dressing up clothes which represent national costumes from other countries. Their natural curiosity and questions are dealt with in a sensitive and considerate manner by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Children's individual needs are discussed with the parents before the placement begins, this information is clearly documented on the child detail forms. This ensures continuity of care. Their daily routine is currently discussed informally with parents

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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 at the end of the day. The childminder provides parents with written information regarding most of her policies including how complaints will be dealt with.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s emotional well-being is fully promoted because of the care which the childminder provides. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Children move around confidently in the childminder’s home and are encouraged to make choices in their play. She is attentive to the children's needs which contributes to their learning and development, and she is very well organised. As a result, the day runs smoothly for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder has organised policies and procedures which are stored confidentially and securely and appropriately shared with parents. Overall she makes appropriate use of these within her care practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution. Nonetheless, there are presently practices in place which do not fully promote children's well-being regarding their health.

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Organisation

The childminder has a secure understanding of the National Standards for childminding and her responsibility to comply with these to provide good quality childcare, although she recognises the need to up-date her knowledge and understanding of current child protection procedures.

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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 was asked to improve the service she delivers by ensuring that she requests written permission from parents for seeking medical treatment; by completing an appropriate first aid course; by providing resources which reflect diversity and obtain literature relating to child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the recommendations which were set. Children's understanding of diversity has been enhanced because the childminder now provides a good range of resources which reflect differences. She has completed a first aid course and has parents written permission to seek medical treatment in an emergency. This helps to promote children's welfare whilst in her care in they event that they become ill or are injured. She has obtained literature from the local authority relating to procedures to be followed if she is concerned about a child in her care, however, although she has demonstrated a good understanding of child protection issues, her knowledge regarding procedures to follow are not so secure and have been addressed during this inspection.

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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): • improve nappy changing and hand drying arrangements to ensure that the risk of cross-infection is reduced • obtain current child protection documentation.

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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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