Childminder in GreenwichOfsted inspection, 14 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY258131 Inspection date 14 September 2005 Inspector Judith Harris

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and 4 children aged 11, 8, 6 and 2 years in Plumstead, in South East London The whole ground floor and the children's bedrooms on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and a designated play room. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time when working alone. When working with her husband they may care for a total of eight children. The childminder is currently minding 2 children under 5 all day and 2

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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 children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. An assistant is employed for after school care

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. A good range of health and hygiene routines and procedures are used with children. The childminder follows appropriate health guidelines, and children are learning simple good hygiene practices through the use of these routines. Children wash hands before eating and after toileting and the childminder changes nappies on a mat and wipes down mat after each use; nappies are disposed of in an outside bin. When the children have a snack they wash their hands before eating and have wipes to clean their hands after. A good range of information is taken from parents about any health or special needs and any dietary restrictions. Children are well nourished and meals are balanced and healthy. The childminder cooks all food from fresh and provides all meals and snacks for the children. The children eat fresh food and fruit; and menus include pasta, white meat, fish, rice and fresh vegetables. Children are all encouraged to and try different foods they are

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Helping children to be healthy

learning about a healthy diet by eating a balanced range of foods. Children have drinks in their own cups, and they have the cups while they play. Children take part in daily physical activity which provides them with good opportunities to exercise and practise their physical skills. The children can play in the garden and go out to play in the park. In the garden the children play on the climbing frame and swings, they ride on bikes and play ball games and they go to the park for walks. Children have rest and sleep times within the daily routine, the children sleep in the play room and children's needs are clearly met and agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean well organised home where they have a dedicated playroom and can play in the sitting and dining rooms. The toilet is next to the playroom and the children have supervised access to the garden through the kitchen. The large garden has areas for different types of play and room for the children of different ages to play safely. Children are comfortable and can move safely around the different play spaces. The childminder has assessed risks to children in the home and taken effective steps to minimise these, there is a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs, and locks on kitchen cupboards and drawers. There are two childminders working together and an assistant who works from 15:00-17:00 to cover for school runs and help out with younger children when older ones are coming in from school. Children are well supervised and with two childminders the children can play inside or

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the garden and still have good levels of supervision. Children are kept safe on

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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 outings by the use of buggies, holding hands when walking and the use of good road crossing practice. Children are taken in the car and the childminder has permission for travel and uses age appropriate child safety seats. Children have a good range of toys and equipment and the younger children are able to access toys that are suitable for their ages. The toys are checked on regular basis to ensure they are safe and clean. The childminder monitors the children choice of toys to ensure that they are suitable for their age and ability. The toys for the older children are stored out of the younger children's reach as some are not safe for them to use. The children are learning about keeping themselves safe, the older children learn road safety skills when on outings and the younger children know about holding

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

hands. The childminder talks to children about being careful when going out into the garden and about climbing on the furniture and sitting still when eating. The children are protected because the childminder is familiar with the paperwork and procedures for recording and reporting child protection issues. Both childminders and the assistant have been vetted and the childminder has completed the Introduction to Childcare Practice course and first aid course and is currently studying for an National Vocational Qualification 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and confident with the childminder and they enjoy a good range of activities and experiences. The children play in the playroom making choices about what activities they will take part in and what they will play with. Their play is clearly supported by the childminder; for example the children are dancing and singing to a video; then they choose puzzles to do and the childminder talks to the children while they play using a range of language with the children to describe what they are doing. The childminder supports the children to complete their puzzles; she helps them to stay calm and encourages them to finish and praises them when they do. Older children have a good range of board games and craft activities and there are painting activities, play dough, role play, sewing and cooking. When the children come in from school they eat tea first and then do any homework so that they can

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play after they finish homework. Children use the computer with supervision from the childminder. The children are clearly settled; they ask questions, ask for a video to be put on and for help to find toys. The children have a balanced range of activities and are learning good skills for independence. Through the range of activities and experiences, the children are offered challenges suitable to their ages. Children have good relationships with both childminders and the other children, they are comfortable with the childminder who knows the children well and has a good understanding of their individual needs. The childminder is working well with children of all ages and is beginning to look at the Birth to Three Matters. She needs to become more familiar

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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 with this framework to help extend the experiences for the under three year olds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are well cared for, they are happy and at home with the childminder. The childminder knows each individual child and the children’s needs are clearly well met. The children are generally well behaved and an effective range of age appropriate positive strategies are used to manage behaviour. For example if the children both want to play with the same toy, the childminder distracts one child with another toy and then they put on some music which distracts both children with singing and dancing. Children are developing good skills for self control, they are learning to have respect for each other, to be friends and to feel part of a family. The childminder talks to children about being kind to each other and helping and supporting each other. The childminder is happy to consider caring for a child with special needs and feels as she works with another childminder and employs an assistant the child would

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Helping children make a positive contribution

have a good levels of care and individual attention. The childminder is aware that both activities and the environment may have to be adapted to meet the child’s needs. The childminder works closely with parents to meet all children’s individual needs; for example getting children to try different types of food and take part in group activities. Lots of information about the children is taken from the parents and daily talks ensure that the childminder and parents can exchange information about the children’s changing needs. Children have good opportunities to learn about the wider world; they eat foods from different countries and talk about where the children’s own families are from and about how different people dress. The older children talk about what they learn at school about different religious celebrations.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are clearly well supported and have good levels of supervision. The childminder works with her husband; they are both registered and employ an assistant who works from 15:00 to 17:00 daily to give extra support when the school children come home. Children records and a daily register are in place and up to date. There are medication and accident records; and contracts for all children and all records are kept in a confidential manner. The childminder talks to parents about the policies and procedures used and daily discussions with parents ensure she continues to meet the children’s individual needs. Children play in well organised play space in which they are comfortable and safe. There is a dedicated play room which has child size furniture and space for children

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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 to play and rest or sleep. The toys and equipment are stored in low level cupboards in the playroom to allow children good access to toys and equipment suitable for their ages. Children are able to move around safely and they move confidently from room to room; they know where the toys are and help themselves to snacks and drinks. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The improvement is the childminder has meet all the recommendations set at the last inspection, she has provided suitable up to date records with permission for emergency treatment. The children have good access to a range of toys and resources and take part in a range of activities that support their development and help them learn about the wider world. The childminder has ensured she is familiar with child protection issues and any procedures she would need to follow.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised on 27/10/2004; the concerns raised were over-minding and noise levels in the garden. The concerns relate to standards 1. An Ofsted Inspector made an unannounced visit on 29/10/2004. Evidence was found that the childminder was caring for numbers of children above her registered numbers and that the garden was being used which breached a condition set at that time to make the garden inaccessible. Actions were agreed with the childminder to ensure she complies with the conditions of registration. The childminder remains qualified for registration. Concerns were raised on 27/06/2005; the concerns were over-minding and children's safety when using a swimming pool in the garden. The concerns relate to standards 2 and 6. An Ofsted Inspector made an unannounced visit on 05/07/2005. No evidence was found that the National Standards had been breached. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • Develop knowledge and understanding of birth to three matters framework to support work with children under three years.

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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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