Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233330 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Janet Sharon Williams 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 a childminder since April 2003. She lives with her two children, twins aged 15 years old. They live in Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth. There are shops, a main line station, schools and parks within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, as well as the master bedroom situated on the first floor. There is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any time, she is currently minding four children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local childminding drop-in centre and other under fives' groups within the local area. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home, where good hygiene practices are used by everyone at all times to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. For example, children wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Effective procedures are in place to promote children's health and well-being, such as children are excluded if they are infectious or contagious and no medication would be administered without prior parental permission. However, the childminder has not obtained parental permission for emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished through the childminder providing a range of freshly prepared meals. Menu plans demonstrate children's individual dietary needs. For example, freshly prepared meals are cooked each day served with a selection of fresh vegetables. Drinks are offered at regular intervals and children can ask for one at any time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy and enjoy a range of physical outdoor activities. For example, they are taken out several times a week to many of the carers and children's groups and they have access to the garden. This helps the children to grow in confidence and develops their self-esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where all the necessary safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents. For example, stairs are inaccessible to the children, a smoke detector is fitted on all levels, there is a BS approved fire blanket which is accessible in the kitchen and the childminder has a comprehensive written fire evacuation procedure in place. On outings younger children are strapped in their pushchair and older ones are advised to hold onto the pushchair and to remain within sight and sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have space to move around freely and comfortably and the environment is organised to support the needs of the children attending. For example, children can independently help themselves to resources and play materials from low level shelves and cupboards. There is also a well organised home corner and an allocated area where children can sit and look at books quietly. This provides stimulation and enjoyment for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder's sound working knowledge of the child protection procedure. She has also completed a child protection training course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good balance of toys and activities to help them progress in all areas of development. For example, they participate in art and craft, such as cutting and sticking using various types of materials, dress up as doctors and nurses and role play the scene, enjoy playing on the floor with cars and they also benefit through frequent daily trips to the local park.

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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 Children benefit from a very good relationship with the childminder. She supports children in their play and extends their learning opportunities, such as showing an interest in what they say through talking, listening and taking time to explain things to them. Interaction between the childminder and the children is good. The children enjoy being close to her through sitting on her lap and her showing the children attention. Children also initiate their own play either alone or in a small group, which promotes their social and language skills. They independently make their own choices about what they want to do, are happy and relaxed and enjoy being with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop and learn about the world and other people through the childminder discussing and answering any questions they may have. For example, she uses a map of the world and many pictures and photographs around the home give children the opportunity to become aware of other race, religion and culture. The childminder also has a good selection of resources reflecting positive images relating to equal opportunities, such as dolls, books and puzzles. However, she has few resources to raise children’s awareness about disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. The childminder has a good knowledge of children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Where children with areas of concerns are identified, the childminder would ensure she gains appropriate information and makes appropriate adaptation to meet with the child's needs. Resources and activities provide an inclusive environment for children with a range of different needs and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and the childminder has good strategies for managing children's behaviour according to their age and level of understanding. Children are confident in their surroundings and fully occupied. They are aware of basic house rules and have a good relationship with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well looked after and their individual needs are well met. Written terms of agreement are in place to formalise arrangements with parents. Information is shared with them daily and at the end of each week parents receive a written progress report of their child, which also includes their daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised home, providing suitable areas for rest, play, sleeping and time outdoors. They are cared for according to their needs, because the childminder's child ratio is well maintained, which positively supports children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

Children are effectively protected; their well-being is considerately promoted because most of the relevant documentation and records are in place. There has been no changes since the last inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; develop an awareness of the procedures to follow in relation to a child being abused and improve fire safety precautions by maintaining the smoke alarm on the ground and first floor in working order. All have been satisfactorily addressed to promote the well being and safety of the children.

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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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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 parental permission for emergency medical treatment • improve resources and play materials to raise children's awareness about 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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