RR6

Inspection report for early years provision

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136509 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2008 Inspection date Pamela Patricia Paisley 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 1997. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 15 in Beckenham. The whole ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to eat healthily as they have nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder makes sure that children have fresh fruit such as grapes, bananas, apples, kiwi, strawberries, including bread sticks and organic rice cakes. Meals are freshly cooked and all dietary requirements are discussed with parents to make sure children's individual needs are met. The

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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 childminder has up to date first aid knowledge which means she is able to give appropriate treatment should the need arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical exercise which helps to keep them healthy. They go for walks to local parks and have access to the childminder's garden where they can ride bikes and practise throwing, catching and kicking balls. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene practice through their daily routine. They are encouraged to wash their hand before meals and after visiting the bathroom. The childminder ensures that she wears gloves to change nappies and children have individual towels and flannels to prevent cross infections.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is safe and secure and there are appropriate safety equipment in place such as stair gates, cupboard locks, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children are protected from potential dangers because the childminder talks to them about keeping themselves safe. They practise road safety and are encouraged to hold hands while out. The childminder also uses books to help children understand the importance of crossing roads safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a suitable range of toys and play materials that are safe and in good condition. They are easily accessible in low level toy boxes and units. The childminder monitors children's choice of resources to make sure they are safe and age appropriate for the children in her care. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding about how to safe guard children and is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns she may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have quality time with the childminder. She spends time talking to them about their interests which gives them a sense of belonging. Children are becoming increasingly independent and make their own decisions and choices about their play. Children gain good levels of self esteem and confidence through consistent praise and encouragement about for their achievements and often go off to living room to help themselves to toys and play materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children readily take part in a wide range of activities that helps to promote their all round development. The enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, animals, building blocks, educational games, activity centres and role play materials. They delight in looking at books and listening to stories told by the childminder. Children concentrate well when drawing and colouring and are beginning to learn the concept of mathematics when doing number puzzles and using stacking cups. Children go on regular outings to local parks to feed the ducks, shopping trips, visits to friends and toddler groups where they can mix with other children of a similar age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the wider world through discussions with the childminder. She uses books to help children learn about different cultures and religious beliefs and shares her own culture with them. Children celebrate festivals during the year and have good access to toys and play materials that promote positive images. Children receive good encouragement from the childminder to take part in all the activities she provides and uses a sensitive approach to settle children gradually in her 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 Children are valued and treated as individuals by the childminder. They behave well in response to the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries which help them to learn right from wrong. The childminder has a positive attitude to providing inclusive care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder has a good partnership with parents. Information is shared on a daily basis to ensure children's individual care needs are effectively met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is organised so that children can play in a comfortable environment. Children benefit from being able to play in different rooms in the house and receive sufficient support and attention to make them feel secure and happy in their surroundings. The childminder has attended appropriate training courses to extend her child care knowledge. Children take part in developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities.

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Organisation

There are suitable policies and procedures are in place that are shared and discussed with parents. An accurate record is kept of children's attendance and the childminder understands and complies with regulatory requirements. The childminder has a complaints procedure in place; although parents have not been provided with the address details of Ofsted if they wish to report a concern. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder ensure accidents and medicines given to children are recorded separately; ensure that children have an appropriate range of play materials and books reflecting positive images of culture and disability; improve fire safety precautions by maintaining the smoke alarm in the kitchen is in working order and ensure the width between the rods on the stair banister are made safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her record keeping and separate records are kept of medication and accidents. Children have access to resources that reflect positive images and the kitchen has been fitted with a smoke alarm which is in working order. However the stair banister has not been made safe so will be made a recommendation of this inspection.

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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): • ensure stair banisters are made safe • ensure parents are provided with full details of how to make a complaint to Ofsted

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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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