Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY102006 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2007 Inspection date Michelle Smith 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 registered since 2002. She lives with her adult child in Morden, within the London borough of Merton. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a full and part time basis. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy different wheeled toys in the garden and developing their physical skills. This means children benefit from opportunities to become healthy. Children enjoy walks to the local parks where they run, jump and enjoy playing on the swings and climbing equipment. This means children are developing co-ordination and body control. They benefit from regular exercise and fresh air as they walk to the local school. There are opportunities for children to be active and rest at different times throughout the day.

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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 Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene practise as they wash their hands before meals. Children brush their teeth after meals, this means they are developing a positive attitude towards hygiene and becoming confident in tending to their personal needs. Children are protected from cross infection, through the clear procedures the childminder takes when changing children. For example, she washes her hands after changing and children are changed on a clean changing mat. The childminder has a good understanding of good hygiene practice and implements this throughout her daily routine. She has updated her knowledge in first aid, this means she can administer first aid safely. There are clear procedures in place for caring for children that become unwell. This helps protect children from infection. There is documentation

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Helping children to be healthy

in place for recording medication administered to children. All accidents are recorded and information shared with parents. The children's emotional needs are met through the affection shown by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy meals that are well balanced and meet their individual needs. Children have hot meals in the evenings that are nutritious and cooked daily. This means children benefit from fresh and varied meals. The children enjoy vegetables daily. For example, fresh carrot with pasta. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met. Children enjoy healthy snacks. For example, fresh fruits and water. They have access to drinking water throughout the day. Children are developing a understanding of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children access a home that is warm and welcoming. Children benefit from sufficient space that enables them to move around the home safely. Children enjoy a clean environment, where they rest and play safely. All safety equipment in place is in working order. There are adequate toileting facilities where children can tend to their personal needs safely. There are clear procedures in place for leaving the premises in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a extensive range of toys and equipment that meet safety standards. The childminder ensures children have access to good quality play provision that is rotated on a regular basis. The toys are accessible and age appropriate to meet the needs of the children. There is sufficient equipment in place to meet the needs of the children and to aid them during play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear procedures in place for going on outings. For instance, children are strapped securely in their buggies and young walking children use safety reins. Older children are aware of road safety, through regular discussions. They cross the road at designated crossing areas, this means children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has a good understanding of safety inside and outside the home. This means children's wellbeing is protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has a copy of the 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' document. She has devised a child protection policy, which is shared with parents. This means children are protected from harm and their wellbeing is safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an extensive range of learning experiences, that are age appropriate, interesting and to the child's level of understanding. They are developing an understanding of the local community as they visit different places of interest. For example, the local parks, where they develop their physical skills. Children enjoy a range of meaningful play experiences within the home. For example, investigating plants that live in dry places. They take part in water activities, observing different objects that sink and float. Children learn and are developing mathematical thinking. Children enjoy taking on different roles as they pretend to be doctors and fairies. Children access an extensive range of play provision that extend the children's play and offers different challenges that are interesting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They access natural materials, such as large cardboard boxes, where they use their imagination and pretend to be sailing in a boat. Children spend their time purposefully. The children play well together and enjoy the company of their friends. The childminder gets involved in the children's play and makes it a more meaningful experience. Children plant pumpkins seeds and watch them grow in the garden. This means children are developing an understanding of nature and growth in a natural environment. The hands on experiences for the children are very good. The childminder has a excellent understanding of how children learn and this is reflected positively through the broad range of learning experiences, that children enjoy. For instance, children enjoy painting with ice cubed paints and through this they are developing their sensory skills. Children enjoy a wide range of cooking activities. For example, making pizza's, baking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cheese scones and ginger bread biscuits.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children visit the local playgroups, where they play and socialise with others. This helps children develop good social skills and become skilful communicators. Children are becoming competent learners as they play and learn new things within their setting and surroundings. Children enjoy listening to stories together and independently at quite time. The childminder caters for the needs of the children and understands children are happy when they are entertained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved and enjoy the company of their friends. There are clear systems in place to manage children's behaviour. They are kind to each other and are beginning to develop an understanding of sharing. This means children are beginning to establish relationships with their friends. Children are praised for showing kindness to others, this means children are developing close relationships. The childminder has built good relationships with the children and knows them well. Children are developing a sense of belonging as they interact during activities. Children are praised for their achievements. This means children are becoming confident, this impacts positively on their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of differences through interaction with children from different cultural backgrounds. They access provision reflecting positive images of differences including disability. Children celebrate different religious festivals at the local playgroup. The childminder has a positive attitude towards disability and will work with other professionals to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder treats children as individuals and respects the importance of treating them as individuals. The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and communicates effectively on a daily basis. Therefore, children benefit from the continuity of care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in the organised home. The changes to household members, does not affect the children. Therefore, those that have unsupervised access to children are safe to do so. Children move around confidently and initiate their own play. There are policies and procedures in place, that contribute to the effective running of the setting. These are used to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. There are resources in place, relating to the Birth to three matters Framework. The childminder has a NVQ Level 2 in childcare.

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Organisation

Parents are kept well informed regarding the service, daily routine and children's activities. This contributes to continuity of care. All relevant documentation is in place for monitoring children's progress and to keep children safe. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to devise and implement a system to record any incident of physical restraint. There is a system in place for recording behaviour issues and physical restraints.

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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): • devise a system for recording any 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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