Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY249251 Unique Reference Number 09 July 2007 Inspection date Jill Steer 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 2002. She lives with her to children aged 13 and seven years in Catford, in the borough of Lewisham. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. From an early age, children learn about good personal hygiene. The childminder teaches them to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside and before eating, explaining about contamination from germs to help them understand why it is important. Wet wipes are always taken along on outings so children can still keep clean as they enjoy themselves.

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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 Children lead a healthy lifestyle and have many opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical activity while with the childminder. Daily play sessions in the garden and outings to the park or local ball pool, develop children’s muscle control and co-ordination. Indoors, the childminder as well as the children, thoroughly enjoy singing and dancing to music of television theme tunes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating meals from a well-planned and balanced menu such as chicken and rice, pasta, and fish. The childminder prepares fresh meals each day, which all include vegetables and are suitable for individual dietary needs. For example, on the days children attend who cannot eat certain foods, the childminder ensures the menu includes meals that everyone can eat so they all have the same. Fresh fruit and vegetable sticks are available for snacks, which introduce children to eating a healthy diet. Children are regularly reminded to drink from their own cups and older children can ask whenever they are thirsty to ensure they remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse and child protection issues. She knows the procedure to follow to report any concerns in order to safeguard the children in her care. Children enjoy their many outings as the childminder keeps them within her sight at all times; she ensures they stay together for example, as they take it in turns to choose which apparatus they will play on. Children begin to learn about road safety as they cross all together looking and listening for traffic, checking it is safe to proceed safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most hazards have been identified and addressed in the childminder's home in order to keep children safe. For example, smoke alarms have been fitted and the front door is kept locked to prevent anyone unauthorised entering or the children from leaving. The key is safely stored nearby to ensure they can easily leave the house in an emergency situation. However, there remain some hazards such as sharp knives, alcohol and cleaning products in the house and stinging nettles and brambles in the garden, which are harmful to children. Children are constantly reminded about hazards and keeping themselves safe through clear support and guidelines from the childminder. For example, she explains it is ‘hazardous' to sit and play with toys in the middle of the floor where people may trip over as they try to pass.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children like to play in the comfortable environment created by the childminder where they are able to relax and feel at home. They move around freely and develop their confidence by independently choosing what to play with from the good quality resources stored at low level in see through and clearly labelled boxes. The resources are well maintained to ensure children continue to play safely; they are encouraged to put things away, ready for next time, when they have finished their game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and relaxed as they happily play while the childminder is close by to provide support and encouragement. They have developed a warm and caring relationship that gives children the confidence to explore their environment, reassured that the childminder is always close at hand to offer support. For example, when they play with an alphabet puzzle the childminder reminds them how to trace the shapes of the letters to help find where they belong. Children develop their language and conversational skills as they constantly chat while

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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 they play, which the childminder focuses on as valuable. They enjoy books all together which the children enjoy as they each jostle for position to be close together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A balanced and well-planned day ensures children experience a wide range of activities, which meet all their individual needs. For example, children giggle as they complete the puzzle together after having coloured in a picture of a teddy with brightly coloured crayons. The daily planning is flexible, to allow for children's changing and varied needs. It includes time for rests when required, indoor activities, games, and local outings. Visits to local toddler groups enable young children to socialise with their peers whilst they benefit from a wider range of resources and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well with the childminder as she manages them consistently. She provides clear guidelines on playing safely together and taking turns so all children have the same opportunities and develop good relationships and friendships. The childminder constantly reinforces their good behaviour with praise and encouragement and brightly coloured stickers which detail what they did well, so children are able to grow in confidence and develop self-esteem as they learn to be sociable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Friendly and trusting relationships are formed between the children and the childminder as they observe her relaxed partnership with their parents. Information is exchanged daily through use of a written record for babies, and daily discussion which ensures children's needs are met and continuity of care provides reassurance and stability for children. The childminder understands how to care for children with learning difficulties and or disabilities and how to ensure their needs are fully integrated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's positive attitude towards diversity helps children learn to be tolerant and respectful. Walks and outings enable children to learn about the local community, whilst some resources and activities provide children with positive images of diversity within the wider world.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is well organised. All the relevant information is obtained by the childminder to ensure their individual needs and care routines are fully met. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home, which is a comfortable environment with sufficient space for children to play together or alone. They can access the resources independently as the childminder stores them at low level to enable children to make their own choices.

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Organisation

The childminder is experienced in caring for young children. She has attended all the required training and has further updated her knowledge of good childcare practice by attending further courses, which contribute to the wellbeing of the children in her care.

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Organisation

All the required documentation and records are in place to comply with regulations. These are reviewed annually to check they contain the latest information to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. However, the children’s attendance is not recorded daily to show clearly the times when they are present. Children are closely supervised at all times to help keep them safe and protected from persons who may not have been vetted, both at home and

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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 when they are out. 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 make sure that the meter under the stairs was made inaccessible to the children. This is now completely covered so they can safely access their toys stored nearby.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure there is an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. A satisfactory range of resources are now available which provide children with a positive view of the world.

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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. 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): • ensure any hazards are minimised within the home and garden • maintain an accurate record of children's daily attendance

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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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