Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100393 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2007 Inspection date Susan McCourt 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 11 and eight years in Brockley which is close to local and main bus routes and schools and parks. The ground floor sitting/dining room and garden are used as play space and the children can sleep in travel cots in the first floor bedrooms. The childminder is registered to care for four children and she currently cares for four children. The family has small pets and the childminder is currently taking part in a Kitemark scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment. They have easy independent access to their own flannels and liquid soap to manage their personal hygiene, which reduces the risk of cross-infection. Babies' nappies are changed frequently and the childminder ensures that nappies are disposed of hygienically. The childminder has pets and manages their food and care to ensure children are not exposed to any risk. Accident and medication records meet the regulation, although

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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 the childminder has not sought parental consent to access emergency medical treatment which may cause delays in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from eating a balanced, healthy diet in the childminder's care. Food is freshly prepared and always includes a variety of fruit, vegetable and salad items. Children eat together, which promotes sociable, relaxed mealtimes, and the childminder caters for a range of different diets to meet children's needs. Children have snacks and drinks through the day to ensure they are not hungry or thirsty. Children have frequent opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they go on different outings in the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a child-friendly environment, with plenty of space to play and explore. The childminder's home is comfortable and welcoming, with different areas to sleep so that children will not be disturbed. They have easy access to a good range of play materials, both indoors and out, giving them choice and independence. Children can play safely in the childminder's home because she manages the risks well, ensuring that minded children do not have access to hazardous materials such as cleaning fluids and medicines, and keeping fire precautions in working order in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder regularly updates her knowledge on safeguarding children and has a good awareness of child protection issues. She is aware that the welfare of the child is paramount, and explains her duties to parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well-settled and confident in the childminder's care because she provides warm and friendly care. She gets to know the children very well and shows great insight into their individual personalities. Children benefit from having a routine which includes a good variety of play activities through the week and is also based around their needs in terms of sleep times and meal times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's emotional, social and intellectual development is well fostered because the childminder takes lot of opportunities to teach as the children are playing. For example, during a game of table football, she helps the children to count the goals using the marker and recognise numbers, and also supports them in handling winning and losing. Children also have the freedom to set their own challenges; one child made a guitar style instrument using elastic bands and then sang and strummed his favourite nursery rhymes. Children benefit greatly from this relaxed and open ended approach to play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an anti-discriminatory attitude and supports non-stereotypical play. Her play materials reflect the diverse community that she lives in, and she gets to know each family well to be informed of their own traditions. Where English is an additional language, the childminder is happy to learn words from the other languages used so that young children develop their vocabulary. The childminder is happy to care for children with learning difficulties

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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 and disabilities and would work with parents to ensure that she could fully meet a child's needs before taking them on.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-behaved, because their needs are well met, and they play in a relaxed and supportive environment. The childminder is attentive to any communication from young children, which helps her to understand and meet their needs. Any challenging behaviour is dealt with quickly and calmly; children know the boundaries and the childminder works with parents to ensure their rules are consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good quality information from the childminder about how she works, which helps to build friendly and professional relationships. The childminder uses contracts and information records to ensure that she has the necessary information to take good care of the children, and provide consistency and security.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is an experienced childminder, and has put together a portfolio towards achieving the Quality First Kitemark, and has so far achieved level one. The childminder has also undertaken other courses to further her professional knowledge. Her home is well-organised to ensure that minded children are always in sight and sound. The register is an accurate reflection of the hours and dates of attendance, which meets the regulation. The childminder is careful to stay within her ratios and give good quality attention to the children in her care. She has a good understanding of her role and keeps all required information securely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation was made at the last inspection for the childminder to update her knowledge about disability. The childminder has been unable to attend a course since that date, but would work with the parents of any child to ensure she could meet their individual needs. The childminder is also able to use other resources to extend her knowledge and understanding, which reinforces her professional abilities.

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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): • seek parental consent for emergency medical treatment.

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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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