Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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158871 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi 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 satisfactory. 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 2001. She lives with her husband, one child aged seven years old and two adult children. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old, and there are currently two children under eight on roll. The childminder also cares for children over eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They begin to learn about simple good hygiene practices when they wash their hands after they use the toilet, and the childminder follows

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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 careful procedures such as washing her own hands after changing nappies. This helps protect children from the risk of cross-contamination. Children benefit from regular meals and snacks. The childminder stores food provided by parents appropriately and makes sure she is aware of any dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. They walk to and from school every day and have fun playing tennis or football at the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken good care of if they have an accident as the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and can respond appropriately to minor injuries. The childminder has discussed action to be taken in an emergency with parents. However, not all parents have been asked to give their written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their child, to ensure their wishes are known. In addition, a suitable system is not currently in place to keep a written record of any medicine given to children together with parents' signed consent. This is a legal requirement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is well maintained and welcoming, with posters and children's work on the walls that help create an inviting environment. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential hazards. She takes precautions such as fitting safety gates, ensuring cleaning materials are inaccessible and covering low level glass with safety film, which helps ensure children can move around the premises safely. The childminder is vigilant about supervising children closely at all times. She talks to older children about road safety and what to do in the event of a fire, which helps them learn to keep themselves safe. Children choose from a good variety of toys and resources. The childminder checks regularly to make sure play materials are clean, safe and suitable for use and ensures items with small parts are kept out of younger children's reach. Children's welfare

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is safeguarded because the childminder is aware of her responsibility towards the children in her care. She has an understanding of child protection issues and knows what to do if she is worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home. They have good relationships with the childminder, who is attentive to their needs and shows an interest in what they say and do. She spends time talking to them and helps them learn through every day activities, for instance when they look at the trees during walks in the park, or help choose things at the local shops.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a good variety of activities and experiences that support their development and learning. They enjoy outings to the park, play groups and the library, or playing in the well equipped garden at the childminder's home. Children help themselves to toys and play materials as well as joining in with a wide range of planned activities such as painting, play dough, music sessions, stories or making cakes. They show pleasure as they paint the house they have made out of recycled materials and proudly show the childminder the finished results. The childminder offers frequent praise for children's achievements, which develops their confidence and fosters their self-esteem.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home and valued as individuals, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs before they start, to ensure she provides appropriate care. She plans activities that children can all take part in according to their age and needs so that they are all included. Children learn to value diversity when they discuss different religions or play with resources that reflect positive images of the wider community. They begin to learn to work harmoniously together when the childminder praises them for being kind and helpful, and she ensures that the methods she uses to manage their behaviour are consistent with their experiences at home. Children benefit from good relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk every day to exchange information and most of the arrangements for the care of the children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

have been confirmed in writing. However, some written consents are not in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended relevant childminding training and ensures that her first aid certificate is kept up to date. Most required documentation is in place, except for appropriate records of medication. The childminder is also not yet familiar with legal requirements regarding complaints made by parents. Records that are in place are kept accessible in a portfolio and updated on a regular basis. The childminder's home is well organised around the children's needs. There is space to play, comfortable seating as well as a table for activities and meals, and children can easily help themselves to toys and play materials. This helps them make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided. Overall, 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 update some of her records, including her sick child policy, records of attendance and written agreements. The sick child policy now provides information for parents about steps that will be taken if children are unwell. Children's times of arrival and departure are recorded to ensure that the register provides an accurate record of their attendance, and written agreements are reviewed regularly to ensure information is kept up to date. The childminder has also made sure that household members over 16 years are vetted as appropriate, in order to promote children's safety and welfare.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • keep a written record of medicines given to children, together with a record of parents' signed consent • request written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment from parents of all minded children • improve knowledge of requirements regarding complaints made by parents and establish an appropriate system to keep a record of complaints

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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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