Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY245070 Inspection date 07 September 2005 Inspector Beverley Jane Bruno

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 registered 2003. She is registered to care for 6 children. She has 3 children on her role at present. The childminder lives with her husband and 2 school age children. They live in a house in Hamsey Green, near Croydon in Surrey. Within the local area there are shops, schools, parks, and other child centred amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Minded children may sleep in an upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The family have one cat. The childminder is a member of both the National and Croydon Childminding Associations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children stay healthy in part because of how the childminder maintains her home and follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. Her home is very clean and tidy. She has effective food hygiene and handling routines in place. It is a non-smoking household. She has one cat that appears to be appropriately cared for. The childminder has well organised and appropriate equipment ready to use as she carries out care routines and has made appropriate and effective arrangements to store medication. The children are unlikely to catch infectious diseases as the childminder has good work practices in place and teaches children the self-help skills that should help them avoid passing on germs. These include reminders to wash hands after going to the toilet and before eating food. She also encourages children to blow their noses and put their hands over their mouths when they cough.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children also learn about healthy living whilst in the care of the childminder. For example, following competent guidance from her they excitedly discuss what they would like in their sandwiches, and why it is good to eat raw vegetables. The children are well rested and sleep according to their needs. The childminder ensures this by actively following parental wishes but at the same time, promptly responding to children’s individual and apparent requirements. Children enjoy the healthy snacks and meals provided, which in turn helps them develop healthy eating habits from a young age. The childminder works hard to ensure she uses mainly non-processed foods from the different food groups. She is careful to make sure she works positively with parents to ensure she meets children’s individual dietary needs and parental requirements. She discusses weekly menus with parents. The childminder has sound experience of supporting children with

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Helping children to be healthy

specific dietary requirements such as an allergy to nuts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and relaxed as they safely play in a welcoming environment. The childminder effectively organises the room primarily used for childminding in such a way as to ensure there is little clutter and furniture is kept to the sides of the room. The house is kept at a suitable temperature, is well ventilated and maintained. Toys and resources are thoughtfully stored in age appropriate modern brightly coloured storage containers. The garden is invitingly laid out. It is

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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 mainly laid to grass. Children confidently access and use a wide range of good quality modern inside and outside toys and resources appropriate to their age and development. The childminder ensures that she makes these items available according to the age of the children she is minding on a given day. She rotates toys to avoid boredom and to match the pace of play. She ensures toys and resources are available that extend learning and understanding. The toys are clean and regularly maintained due to the childminder’s thorough work practices. Children access and use a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment made suitable, by the childminder's regular and thorough risk assessments. They are also generally safe from the effects of fire. The childminder has the necessary and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriate equipment in place to warn of fire and to perhaps help fight it. She has smoke alarms and a fire blanket. However, concerning fire evacuation procedures, although the childminder has one idea thought through in her head, she has not practised it with the minded children. There is a possibility children may not know what to do in case of fire. There are clear procedures in place that ensure children's safety whilst on outings. They are kept safe as the childminder does her best to eliminate risks before they arise. She thinks through the day's events before undertaking them. She does a ‘recky trip’ to the venue to assess it's suitability if she has not used it before, or if it has not been recommended by other child carers. Children show good awareness of what is safe and what is not so they may avoid accidental injury. To aid them in negotiating hazards they learn the sound and effective strategies instilled by the childminder. They sit themselves down probably

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

on the chairs at the dining room table. They do not run in the house. They put toys on the table or in the toy boxes so they are not stepped on. Children are protected from abuse because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She has studied and assimilated the information from the relevant module in the course childminders are required to attend. She understands how to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has access to the necessary contact telephone numbers and holds the relevant literature. She has a suitable place to record her concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses previous observations about children's preferred activities to help inform her suggestions for play. She actively listens to children's and follows up on their requests or suggestions. She also has some pre-planned activities ready to use according to who will be in her care. She also effectively organises outings to a variety of child centred amenities. Consequently, children are very interested and absorbed in the activities available to them. They are relaxed and happy as they play. They enjoy art and craft activities and simple cooking sessions. They make good use of the free play resources available to them. For example, one child thoroughly

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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 enjoys her role-play. She enthusiastically involves other children and adults in playing doctors. She answers the surgery phone and gives advice to the caller about a child who will not sleep. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as the childminder incorporates opportunities to extend understanding and learning in play. In the cooking sessions, they learn about how to effectively use a recipe. They learn how to measure ingredients and about the importance of using sequencing as they work through the recipe. They are encouraged to use their initiative and respond to challenges. This is effectively done as the childminder provides toys and resources that may stretch children's present stage of development. Children are motivated to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, they confidently respond to the childminder’s offers of choices of regular drinks, and snacks. They readily select toys to play with and confidently ask others to be brought out of storage. Children also readily explore opportunities to develop their independence. This is successfully nurtured by the childminder who listens to their suggestions when working out problems then asks questions of them to help them explore the problem further. She also encourages independence as she gives support in play or care routines and then withdraws to allow children to practice new skills. Children come away from their time with the childminder with a sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder’s commitment to ensuring she is able to provide a high standard of care for children starts at the initial interview with interested parents. She has a well organised portfolio in place, which she uses as a starting point for conversations with parents at this time. She seeks to find out as much as she can about parents’ requirements and children’s individual needs. The childminder then aims to build strong nurturing relationships. She supports parenting style and strategies, and is prepared to offer advice where she feels confident she is able to do so. She strives to provide a flexible service. She warmly greets parents in the morning, and ensures they receive daily written or verbal feedback when they pick their children up. Childminder works hard to ensure children feel a sense of belonging, of being fully included in the life of the setting. The childminder warmly invites children into her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

setting. She has free play toys ready for them to enjoy and activities ready for them to start when they are settled. As she successfully gets to know her minded children she is able to ensure a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated indoor and outdoor activities and interactions. A good example of this is how she not only proactively listens to children but she also watches for non-verbal communication that indicates a child needs support. She observes a child becoming quiet and stumbling a little, as she moves about. She observes the same child having 'tired eyes'. She talks to the child about needing a sleep. The child puts out her arms to be picked up. The child is taken to the travel cot where she settles to sleep straight away.

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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 Children enjoy positive respectful relationships with the childminder. They are beginning to use the social skills they have watched the childminder use during play and discussions. The childminder is polite and listens to what children say. They play and interact harmoniously with each other in line with their age and developmental stage. Many of the interactions and activities result in children feeling confident to make choices and decisions that contribute positively to the group. Good examples of this are how, on the way back from the nursery pickup the children request that they have their lunch as a picnic in the Wendy House. The childminder agrees. They happily choose the filling for their sandwiches. After lunch they confidently play with the toys put out, and show no hesitation in requesting other toys that are stored

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Helping children make a positive contribution

elsewhere. The childminder actively encourages children to become aware of their own needs and abilities. She then encourages them to extend this awareness to reflect on the needs of others in the setting and in the wider society. For example, she may ask them to reflect on how they feel and what they can do. She then skilfully extends this, in her discussions with children so they can begin to take into account how others may be feeling or what they may or may not be able not do. To support her positive ethos the childminder has a growing selection of toys and resources reflecting positive images of age, disability, and non-gender specific behaviour, as well as of different cultures and ethnic groups. The childminder is committed to providing appropriate support for children with more particular needs. She is very aware of the need to ensure she works closely with a child’s parents to be certain she is meeting any specific needs. She understands the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

importance of assessing her ability to care for a child with specific needs and of ensuring the environment she can provide is suitable. She knows to consider any changes to the dynamics of the existing group of children she cares for. This would be done to ensure neither they nor the child with specific needs are disadvantaged whilst in her care. Children are beginning to understand about responsible behaviour. They follow the childminder’s lead as she encourages them to tidy up toys as they are finished with them. Children’s play and interactions with the childminder also helps them to begin to distinguish between right and wrong. A good example of this is how the she explains to one child that the other is not being naughty as she joins in with this child's play but instead is just trying to be friendly. Children respond positively to the childminder’s age related behaviour management techniques. She sets a good role

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Helping children make a positive contribution

model for them as she behaves in calm, polite and respectful way towards them and other adults. She uses strategies associated with positive parenting to good effect. She regularly liaises with parents to ensure the strategies used are consistent between home and the childminder. The childminder seeks advice from other professionals when appropriate.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to ensuring she is suitably qualified to care for young

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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 children. She has attended the course forming an introduction to childminding, and holds a current appropriate first aid certificate. She is committed to seeking further training when her family commitments allow. In the meantime she seeks to keep herself up to date with current child care issues by reading professional magazines and looking up areas of interest on the internet. The childminder has ensured that any persons living in her home over the age of sixteen are vetted. Her childminding practices ensure that children are not left in the care of unvetted persons. The childminding day is very well planned yet flexible to cater for children’s individual needs and requirements. The environment is very welcoming and well organised. The legally required, and otherwise relevant documentation and most records, are

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Organisation

maintained to promote the smooth running of the setting and support children's needs. The childminder correctly and very methodically uses all NCMA documents and record books. However, she does not have a documented agreement with parents as to when and how she should seek medical advice or emergency treatment. She has a comprehensive folder containing her portfolio and keeps all confidential materials in a secure place. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was set two actions at her last inspection. She was required to construct and use a parental consent form to administer medication. This she has done so ensuring children are given medication as directed by their parents. She was required to expand her Sick Children Policy. It is now clearer as to the circumstances under which children should not attend the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • arrive at a written agreement with parents detailing how and when medical advise or emergency treatment should be sort • review work practices to ensure children are made aware of emergency evacuation procedures.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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