Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233597 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 2003 and lives in the Old Kent Road area of Southwark with her husband and three children, one of whom is under eight years. Children have access to all areas of the home. The childminder takes children on regular outings to local parks and communal play areas for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder works with her husband as a co-minder. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The family do not have any pets. The childminder holds NVQ level 3 childcare qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Positive steps are taken to promote good hygiene practice and help stop the spread of infection. For example, children learn about hygiene through everyday routines and have individual bedding. Older children are encouraged to develop their self care skills, such as using the bathroom independently and younger children are supported well, for example, learning to blow their nose appropriately. Children's welfare is promoted regarding sickness, accidents or

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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 medication as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has devised relevant policies and procedures, and ensures appropriate records are kept. However, although written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is in place for most children, it has not been gained for all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual dietary needs are catered for. Children are offered a variety of healthy snacks and frequent drinks, promoting healthy eating habits. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and ensures all meals provided by parents are stored and heated appropriately, promoting good food hygiene practice. Children's good health is promoted through opportunities to gain exercise and fresh air during frequent local outings to parks and children's groups and events, such as using bouncy castles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well within the home and while on outings. For example, all fire safety equipment is in place, including an emergency evacuation procedure which is displayed. Positive steps are taken to minimise hazards as all cupboards are locked and a gate is used on the stairs to prevent unsupervised access to the upper floor. In addition, the childminder has devised her own policies and procedures relating to safety, fire and outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have opportunities to use a broad range of good quality books, toys and resources that promote all areas of learning. Toys are well organised and stored in low level units, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. Children benefit from a warm and welcoming environment, enhanced with posters and displays of their creative work.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good systems are in place to help safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder knows what to do if she is worried a child is being abused as she has attended relevant training and keeps all information easily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. They have good opportunities to engage in a variety of activities throughout the day, including free play, planned activities, such as cooking and creative activities, and outings to local children's groups and parks. The childminder makes written weekly plans that show regard to the Foundation Stage and the Birth to three matters framework. Good systems are in place to help track children's progress as the childminder makes observations and also keeps a daily journal.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's energy and enthusiasm as they become absorbed in play. For example, children develop their senses as they participate in a cooking activity where they are encouraged to taste some of the ingredients; they observe how the cakes change while being cooked, enabling them to make connections of how things work. Children enjoy being creative as they sing along to a nursery rhyme tape while using musical instruments and dancing with the childminder, enabling them to develop their free creative expression. In addition, children have opportunities to develop their creative skills while using a range of paint, collage and drawing materials. They play imaginatively while using the dolls house with a wide range of furniture and play-people.

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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 have good opportunities to develop their problem solving skills as they use puzzles and construction sets effectively. Children's language skills are extended during play as the childminder encourages conversation and asks questions that make children think. In addition, they play games that help them to identify colours and shapes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective systems are in place to promote partnership with parents. For example, clear settling in procedures encourage parents to settle their children gradually, enabling them to feel secure when their parents leave. Parents are kept well informed about their child's day as the childminder makes notes of all events of the day in each child's journal. In addition, the childminder has devised a wide range of polices and procedures that are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to learn about diversity through use of a good range of books and resources that promote positive images of people in the community. Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual needs are known and catered for, such as their individual sleep patterns. The childminder has experience of caring for children who have identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has good systems in place to ensure any care offered promotes inclusion. Children have good relationships with each other and the childminder; they are able to express their feelings and enjoy lots of cuddles. Children are developing good social skills as they are encouraged to share and take turns during play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Good organisation enables children to participate in a broad range of interesting activities and outings throughout the day. This is due to effective use of time and resources, enabling children to be constantly engaged in play, along with adequate time for rest and quiet activities. Children are able to select resources as they are all well organised and easily accessible.

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Organisation

Documentation is used effectively and shared with parents. For example, all required documentation is in place, such as records of any accidents, medication and attendance. However, written consent to gain emergency medical treatment or advice has not been gained for all children. The childminder shows a commitment to the development and quality of her service, for example, she has attended a wide variety of relevant courses, extending her knowledge of childcare and education, In addition she has written many of her own policies and procedures that support the management of the service. 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 was asked to improve methods of recording medication and to extend the range of toys that promote equality. The childminder ensures appropriate records are kept of any medication administered and that these records are shared with parents. The childminder has also extended the range of toys available to children that promote equality, such as dolls that reflect a variety of cultures, and puzzles and books that show positive images of people in the community.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received one complaint that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards. The complaint related to National Standard 2: Organisation. Concerns were raised that adult to child ratios were being exceeded. An unannounced visit took place and this led to actions being set under National Standard 2 - Ensure that registered numbers and ages of children are adhered to at all times and National Standard 14: Documentation - Maintain up to date written documentation of the daily attendance register with details of arrival and departure times. Ofsted was satisfied with the provider's written response to the actions. The provider continues to remain registered.

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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): • ensure written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is gained for all minded children.

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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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