Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY345144 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Jeannette Waring Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since January 2007. She lives with her husband and three children, two sons aged seven and five and a daughter aged three. They live in a four bedroom, extended, semi-detached house in Eltham. Shops, schools, pre-schools and parks are located close by. Children have use of the whole of the ground floor and may also use the first floor rooms. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The only pets are some tropical fish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children and is currently caring for two children both on a part-time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for in a very clean, comfortable and welcoming home and their health and well-being is extremely well promoted by the childminder. Children feel settled, secure and at home because the childminder has provided such a warm and child-friendly environment where they can relax and play freely. She has careful and regular cleaning routines

p.2

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 in place, for example, she makes sure that floors are cleaned daily and in the kitchen she ensures that work-surfaces are kept clear and scrupulously clean. In addition, she makes sure that she follows good hygiene routines carefully when dealing with children's personal care. These measures ensure that children are protected from the risk of cross-infection. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder talks to them about why they should wash their hands when she reminds them to do this after using the toilet and before meals and snacks.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed her approved first aid training and makes sure that her first aid box is always fully stocked. In addition she always carries an emergency first aid kit and a copy of parents' signed consent for emergency medical treatment in her bag, in order to ensure that children can be treated quickly and efficiently during outings. She also carries a portable potty and anti-bacterial hand cleanser with her on outings which enables even very young children to continue their good hygiene routines when out and about.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities for physical play in the childminder's back garden which has been laid with astro-turf on top of a cushioned safety surface in order to minimise the risk of injury. They enjoy playing with the wide range of garden toys provided and benefit from the opportunity to practise their emerging physical skills, for example, as they use the wheeled toys or play ball games with the childminder. In addition the childminder regularly takes children on outings to local parks, activity centres, toddler groups and toy libraries where they have further opportunities to run and play freely.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's health and well-being by ensuring that they have good continuity of care, for example, by using a contact book for each child. In this she records details of daily menus and how much children have eaten, their sleep times, nappy changes for babies and information about the day's activities.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands and practices the safe food handling techniques she learned on her basic food hygiene training course and this protects children's health. She provides children with healthy, balanced and nutritious meals which she prepares freshly each day. She makes sure that children have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and encourages them to think about making healthy choices as she talks to them about how a healthy diet helps them to grow. In addition children are able to refresh themselves whenever they are thirsty as the childminder makes sure that they have free access to fresh water and diluted fruit juice throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Because the childminder pays very good attention to issues of safety and security children are safe from harm and able to develop their independence whilst in her care. For example, because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment, and put in place effective measures to reduce or remove all identified risks, children are able to move freely around their play space. They are able to take themselves to the toilet, move from room to room and go out into the safely enclosed back garden. Consequently children are relaxed and confident. They know where toys are stored and confidently ask for what they want and accompany the childminder to make their selection. Indoors they play happily with the excellent range of good quality books and toys provided and enjoy the opportunity to try out new things from the toy library. In the garden they relish the opportunity to use the wide range of larger toys and activities

p.3

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 In addition to providing a fire blanket the childminder also has fire extinguishers and there are smoke detectors on all floors of the house. A written fire procedure gives details of the evacuation routes and children practise their fire drill every month. Children also learn about how to keep safe on the roads as the childminder routinely talks to them about this when they are out and about. She has also booked for them to attend a road safety event (Beep Beep Day) during the summer holidays and a colourful road safety frieze is displayed in the home.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to protect children from the risk of harm or neglect. She demonstrates a good understanding or her responsibility for this, has a written policy which she shares with parents and is confident that she would be aware of the signs that a child was, or could be, at risk of harm. She keeps details of the local procedures in her childminding file, together with relevant contact numbers. In addition, she gives parents information on the nature and type of physical contact that children will experience in her care, for example, for the purposes of nurturing, safety, guidance and hygiene. This reassures parents that their children will be safe and appropriately cared for because it puts in place a clear framework for the childminder's good childcare practice.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and well cared for by the childminder who demonstrates a good understanding of children's individual needs. She is warm and responsive towards the children in her care and they relate well to her. The childminder spends her time playing with the children, she considers their age and stage of development and encourages children to develop their skills. For example, in the garden she played games using bats and balls in which she encouraged children to practise and refine their hand/eye co-ordination, taking time to show children how to catch, to roll and to throw a ball and how to use a bat.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her days around the needs of the children in her care. She considers the sleep patterns of babies when planning outings and makes sure that all children have times to relax as well as time to be active. She provides meals at regular times so that children have a routine and rhythm to their day and this helps them to feel settled and secure.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a range of activities within the home which children enjoy. They take part in art and craft activities, try some simple cooking and gardening and they recently planted seeds which children took home with them. The childminder also plans regular outings for children. During term time she ensures that younger children regularly visit local parks, toddler groups, drop-in centres and the toy library. During the school holidays she makes use of a range of activities available in the local area. The children and childminder showed the inspector photos of recent trips they have enjoyed together. This summer they have visited Lark in the Park in Sidcup, where they spent time enjoying the craft activities in the family tent. They have visited Crofton Roman Villa where the children enjoyed dressing up as Roman soldiers and making paper mosaics, some of which are displayed in the childminder's home. Christmas Tree

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Farm was another visit children benefited from and they are looking forward to their road safety day which the childminder has booked.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn to value and respect each other from the childminder who has an open and positive approach to issues of equality and inclusion. She takes time to get to know children

p.4

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 their families, finding out about their background and culture, so that she is able to provide care appropriate to their needs. Children who speak an additional language feel proud of their abilities because the childminder praises them and encourages other children to value this skill. The childminder has a wide range of toys and activities and all children are encouraged to play with the full range which helps to prevent gender stereotyping. Children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties are welcome in the setting and the childminder is aware of the importance of working closely with parents so that all children are able to benefit from the service she provides.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder sets simple and realistic boundaries for children which they quickly learn and understand. She ensures that they have many interesting activities and outings to fill their day and makes sure that she gives each child individual attention. In addition she uses praise and encouragement to show children that she appreciates their co-operation and she sets children a good example by always being polite and courteous to them. As a result of these positive strategies children are polite, friendly, sociable and very well behaved.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent arrangements in place to support her partnership with parents and this ensures that children have good continuity of care. She routinely spends time talking to parents at the end of each day and, in order to ensure that parents have a clear record of their children's day, she provides each child with a contact book. Parents are also provided with a good information booklet about the childminder's service which includes details on fees, copies of policies and procedures and sample menus. In addition she keeps a photographic record of outings and activities and regularly provides copies for children and parents to keep.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children in her care. Children benefit from being cared for in an exceptionally well organised home environment. The childminder has completed all required training and has attended a number of other courses such as the Birth to three matters course which helps her to plan activities to meet the needs of younger children. Because she wants to continue to improve her excellent childcare practice she has applied to become a network childminder and plans to enrol an NVQ3 course in Childcare and Education later this year.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has made sure that both her home and garden are both extremely well organised for childminding and this promotes children's confidence and independence as they move freely around her home. In addition her careful organisation of outings and activities, which takes account of individual children's needs and routines, ensures that children feel relaxed, comfortable and at home in her care.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a good knowledge of the requirements of the National Standards and associated regulations. She makes sure that children are under her direct supervision at all times but has put in place good arrangements with another registered childminder in case of emergency. This makes sure that children are safe and well cared for at all times. All required documentation is maintained to a high standard and is carefully stored. This enables the childminder to access information quickly and efficiently and helps to ensure that each child's needs can be met. The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures which securely underpins her work with the children and their parents.

p.5

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

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6