Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350670 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Pauline King 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 a registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged four years. They live in a three bedroom house in the London borough of Merton. Close to local school and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight at any one time; she is currently caring for five children who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding; children also have supervised access to the first floor for bathroom facilities and bedroom for sleeping. Children have access to an enclosed garden area for outdoor play. The childminder regularly visits local toddler groups, childminder drop-in groups and parks with the children; she also takes and collects children from a local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds appropriate childcare qualifications and is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and bright environment. Good hygiene procedures are followed, for example, shoes removed when entering premises. This helps prevent the spread of infection and encourages children's awareness of good hygiene. Children learn to take responsibility for their own health and hygiene through their daily routine by washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder's policy of not caring for children if they have an infectious illness minimises the risk of infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and the necessary documentation is in place to record administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and provides a healthy and varied diet. Sample menus are in place and shown to parents. Children are provided with a variety of fresh fruit at both snack time and for lunch. Children have access to regular drinks, which are freely available when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a good range of outdoor activities and play that encourage their physical development and good health. For example, they make regular visits to local parks, toddler groups, Library and have regular access to outdoor play in the garden. The childminder takes and collects children to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure environment, where space is well organised to meet their needs and enable them to play safely. They independently choose activities from an extensive range of good quality toys and play materials, stored in boxes and low level units in easy reach for children. The childminder has ensured that everything potentially dangerous within the home is inaccessible to the children, and she has made the garden a safe environment for them to use. Play equipment is appropriate to the children's age and although the children are extremely well supervised, they also have very good opportunities to develop independence. The childminder identifies potential hazards such as small play equipment and helps children to learn about the safety of younger children so they are not at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's evacuation procedure means plans are in place to evacuate the premises safely in an emergency. This is practised and discussed with children to help them be familiar with the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected, as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the action to take if any concerns. However, informing Ofsted is not included on child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and confident at the childminder's house. They relate well to the childminder because she encourages children in their activities and consistently praises them, enabling children's confidence to develop. Children are occupied and persist at activities for long periods of time because they are extremely interested in using the wide range of play equipment, and

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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 are consistently supported by the childminder, who dedicates her time to playing with them throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A close and caring relationship with the childminder increase children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. Children communicate exceptionally well with the childminder. They are extremely confident with suggesting their own ideas for play, because the childminder actively encourages them to make independent choices, and helps them achieve their aims, For example, designing layout of train track.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent learning opportunities because the childminder shows interest in what children say and do, and uses every opportunity to extend their learning through conversation and questioning. For example, talking about what will happen when starting school. Children learn about their environment and the roles of other people through planned activities and outings to places of interest such as 'Pick your own fruit farm'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know the parents and children well. She works closely with parents which ensures children experience consistent care. Good systems for sharing information are in place, such as daily discussion and talking through the child's progress records with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and show increasing independence, for instance, sharing and when they choose toys and play materials. Their self confidence is encouraged through praise and having their achievements valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good opportunities to learn about differences through access to a good range of resources and play materials. They use a range of play materials such as books, musical instruments, play people, dolls and a range of disability toys that reflect differences and diversity. This helps their understanding of the world they live in.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from an exceptionally well organised environment. Children have access to an excellent range of play equipment which the childminder makes easily accessible in the lounge, dining room and garden, and the whole of the downstairs of the premises is set up in a child orientated way so that it is attractive and welcoming. The garden is also set up with play equipment for children to use for a range of activities. This means that the space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. In addition, children benefit from the excellent written activity planning that the childminder uses, which are related to their individual age and stage of development and Birth to three matters guidance. Children make excellent progress in their development because the childminder keeps regular written observations of their play and achievements, and uses these observations to plan the next step for their individual learning.

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Organisation

Documentation is outstanding, and includes a wide range of written policies and procedures that the childminder has created which contributes to children's health, safety and well being. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety has improved as both issues have been carried out. Safety gate placed to prevent children gaining access to stairs and suitable lock fitted to side gate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • include Ofsted contact number on child protection policy

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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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