Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346693 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date June Fielden 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 2007. She lives with her three children aged 12, 9 and 6 years in Croydon. The whole of the downstairs of the childminders house, plus the first floor bathroom and toilet are used for childminding. The childminder takes children to local parks for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part-time. She walks to the local shops, parks and schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder maintains children's health through appropriate hygiene routines which include ensuring that they wash their hands after using the potty and before they eat, to avoid the risk of infection. She also cleans the equipment used by children with antibacterial spray. However, the childminder has

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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 not obtained permission for the emergency medical treatment of children, which impacts on their welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their own food for children. The childminder monitors what they eat, to ensure they have a healthy diet. Drinks are always accessible to children, to make sure they are not thirsty. The childminder encourages young children to help feed themselves, to develop their independence. She fulfils parents wishes by offering meals to children at set times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken for walks to local parks to exercise, where they use the large apparatus available. If the weather is not suitable for them to go outside they keep fit indoors, playing ball games with the childminder. Children sleep on the childminder's settee, following their own sleep patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely in the childminder's lounge and dining area, choosing for themselves the toys they wish to play with. The childminder has a wide range of resources, appropriate for children of all ages. The furniture is arranged to allow maximum space for children to play, and toys are easily accessible to them. Additional resources are stored upstairs and are regularly rotated, to ensure children do not get bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate measures in place to ensure children's safety. She has an emergency escape procedure and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are fitted, to safeguard children's welfare. Risk assessments are completed on an ongoing basis, to make sure there is nothing dangerous within children's reach. Gates are in place to prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen and the first floor of the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has the appropriate literature available to refer to for guidance. The childminder is aware of the signs of abuse to look for, and knows how to seek advice and report her concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are spoken to in a friendly manner by the childminder. She takes an interest in what they are doing and asks questions to encourage them to talk and overcome their shyness. As a result, they are relaxed and happy in the childminder's care and confident enough to speak in front of other children and adults. The childminder joins in the role play with children, helping them to change a dolls nappy or play with a toy telephone. She shares books with children to encourage their interest in reading, and to develop their understanding of numbers and letters. The childminder provides stimulating toys that make different sounds and have moving parts, to amuse children. They sing along to simple songs, developing their sense of rhyme and rhythm. The childminder provides an extensive range of activities to engage children's interest, including baking, drawing and using play dough, to enable them to be creative and use their imagination.

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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. Children are given individual attention by the childminder, and she liaises with parents to meet their specific needs. She is aware of children's likes and dislikes, and assists them in overcoming their fears. The childminder has suitable toys to promote children's knowledge of different cultures, but lacks resources to develop their understanding of disability. Although the childminder does not have any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities on roll, she has an appropriate awareness of how to cater for their needs and obtain information and advice on their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents discuss children's progress with the childminder at the beginning and end of the day. They know that they can contact her on the telephone at any time, if there is something they need to discuss. Parents have been informed of the childminder's complaints procedure, so they are aware of how any concerns raised will be handled. She uses satisfactory strategies for managing children's behaviour. If children are disturbing others she will reason with them, and explain that their behaviour is inappropriate. The childminder works with parents if children have behaviour problems, to ensure continuity of care. Positive behaviour is promoted by praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder never lets them out of her sight. The childminder's organises her practice effectively. Her attendance register is well completed, and she has produced some written procedures for parents. The childminder's registration certificate is on display, to ensure parents are aware of the conditions under which she operates. Her records are stored securely to make sure they remain confidential, and are shared with parents on request. The childminder shows prospective parents her insurance details, qualifications and the contracts she uses, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • obtain written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children • obtain appropriate resources to promote children's understanding of disability.

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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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