Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262890 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Teresa Evelina Lucas 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 in 2003. She lives with her husband and four children aged six, 14, 15 and 17 years. They live in a four bedroomed house in Kidbrooke in the London borough of Greenwich. The premise is close to local schools, shops and parks. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder's husband is her assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years. She is currently caring for a two-year-old and a seven-year-old. She also provides care for one child over eight years. The children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 protected from the spread of infection and the risk of illness because the childminder has procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection and illness. For example, she informs parents that she does not have children when they are unwell and provides liquid soap and paper towels for the children. The childminder ensures that good hygiene procedures are in place in her home. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy and to take responsibility for their own personal care because the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Necessary documentation for the administration of medication and accidents is in place. For example, the childminder is aware of the need to obtain prior written parental consent before giving any medication and has a system in place for keeping a written record of medication. In addition, she has an up-to-date first aid qualification and keeps records of emergency contact numbers. Prior written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment is generally sought. However, this is not currently in place for all of the children the childminder looks after. As a result, all children are not fully protected in the event of an accident or emergency. Appropriate records are kept of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to take part in physical play and exercise. These include visiting nearby parks, playgrounds and toddler groups. In addition, the children also use the garden during the summer months. This helps to ensure that children can take part in vigorous play and as a result, their physical health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's satisfactory understanding of healthy eating means that children benefit from nutritious home-cooked meals such as chicken curry and rice or noodles. The childminder also accommodates parents' wishes if they choose to provide their own child's food. The childminder makes sure that she is fully aware of any specific dietary requirements, for example, allergies and any religious and cultural considerations. She understands the health benefits of providing children with regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally safe, welcoming environment where they can play, rest and eat comfortably. A satisfactory range of toys and activities are available to them. Some resources are accessibly stored and this enables children to make independent choices. Children are able to enjoy a generally balanced range of activities because the childminder tries to vary the activities that she puts out, on a daily basis. She is aware of her responsibility to carry out regular checks on all equipment and resources, in order to promote children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder generally maintains safety in her home by ensuring that any risks are identified and minimised and that appropriate safety precautions are in place to protect children from potential hazards. For example, she ensures that socket covers and safety gates are in place and that all potentially dangerous items such as cleaning products, sharp knives and medication are safely stored and inaccessible to children. However, two potential safety hazards have not been identified and currently present a potential risk to children's safety. This is because there are some trailing internet connection cables on the top landing which are a tripping hazard. In

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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 addition, there is a large metal frame in the garden which impacts on children being able to play safely because there is a risk they could fall over it or it could fall on them. Appropriate fire safety precautions include smoke alarms, a fire blanket and an emergency evacuation plan and this means children are protected if there is a fire. Safety procedures when going out include obtaining written parental permission for outings. Children's safety is also promoted because the childminder understands the importance of ensuring that appropriate levels of supervision are in place at all times. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, the childminder explains that they should clear away some of the toys on the floor so that they don't fall and hurt themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of her child protection responsibilities to the children in her care. For example, she is aware of some of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She is aware that there have been some changes recently relating to revised safeguarding procedures and has copies of referral forms and contact details. Consequently, children are protected because the childminder is able to take appropriate action if she is concerned about a child in her care. She has taken steps to update her knowledge and understanding of child protection/safeguarding issues by booking a place on a safeguarding course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home because she is friendly towards them and talks and listens to them. They benefit from appropriate support from the childminder as they play. For example, as they sit on the floor building with duplo together, they enjoy repeating the colours and counting the bricks. Children's language development is progressing well because the childminder encourages them to repeat sounds and words. For example, while looking at a nursery rhyme book the childminder sings the nursery rhyme and encourages children to join in with the words and actions of 'twinkle, twinkle little star'. Children join in happily and dance and clap to show their enjoyment. Children benefit from warm relationships with the childminder who clearly enjoys their company.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although there are no written activity plans, the childminder tries to ensure that children have a generally balanced range of activities. As a result, children enjoy activities such as drawing, role play and construction. Children's independence is satisfactorily fostered because they are able to make some independent choices from the provision on offer which is accessible to them. Resources are satisfactory overall, however book provision is poor. This is because there are few books available that are age-appropriate for the children currently attending. As a result, children's opportunities to enjoy books and stories and begin to develop a positive approach to books and reading are limited. Children enjoy outings to local toddler groups, parks and playgrounds and the toy library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has generally appropriate arrangements in place for identifying and recording children's individual needs. For example, she discusses all aspects of children's needs with parents at the start of a minding arrangement and records these. However, some records that enable appropriate care are currently incomplete. The childminder promotes effective partnerships with parents by encouraging regular discussions about their children's care and

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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 having written contacts with them. Parents are given verbal information about the childminding service she provides. However, parents are not currently given up-to-date information of what to do if they have a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities issues and understands that all children have the right to be treated equally. Children enjoy equal play opportunities, regardless of their gender and the childminder's positive approach to inclusion means that she is welcoming to all children. Although the childminder has no direct experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she demonstrates a positive approach and acknowledges the importance of liaising with parents and other agencies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound knowledge of behaviour management issues. For example, she promotes good behaviour through frequently praising children and ensures that she is a good role model for them. Children are also learning good manners because she reminds them to say please and thank you and to say sorry if they have hurt another child. The childminder includes behaviour management in her discussions with parents and this helps to establish and maintain consistency. The children benefit because it helps them to begin to learn right from wrong. As a result of the childminder's positive approach, children behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The setting is generally welcoming and child friendly. The children benefit from a varied daily routine that includes time for rest, play, meals and outings.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the records that must be kept in order to provide appropriate care. Documentation is generally well maintained and stored safely. Attendance is accurately recorded and the attendance record includes children's hours of attendance. Accident and medication records are appropriately kept. Most records are effectively shared with parents. However, records to enable appropriate care and written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment are not in place for all children. In addition, parents are not currently informed of the up-to-date procedures to be followed if they have a complaint and a log of complaints is not appropriately kept or available for parents to see. This is because the childminder is not fully aware of revisions to the National Standards that were made in 2005.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Four recommendations were made following the last inspection to improve the quality of care provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result, the childminder has taken appropriate steps to improve her documentation. For example, she uses National Childminding Association record books to record accident, medication and attendance and parental consent forms provided by Greenwich Early Years to obtain various consents from parents including outings and emergency medical treatment. However, as these are currently incomplete for one of the children, further recommendations relating to record keeping have been made following this inspection. Consent forms for outings are now in place for all children.

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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 The childminder sought advice from the fire officer but did not follow up her request to vary her registration to include overnight care. However, as appropriate fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder has worked out an emergency evacuation plan, a variation has now been agreed to enable the childminder to provide overnight care for one child.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Toy provision has been increased and this means that children benefit from a satisfactory range of toys and activities that meet their developmental needs overall. For example, the childminder said that she has obtained further resources that include materials for creative play, role play and construction. However, book provision is still limited and there are no resources reflecting diversity. Therefore, further recommendations were made following this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 1 - Suitable Person; National Standard 3 - Care, Learning and Play; National Standard 8 - Food and Drink; National Standard 12 -Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers. Concerns were raised regarding the suitability of the household, induction of prospective parents, children's individual needs not being met and food provided. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit and, as a result, actions were set relating to National Standard 3 and National Standard 12. A further action was set that related to National Standard 2 - Organisation. The childminder sent Ofsted written confirmation that satisfactory steps have been taken to meet the requirements of these actions. No further action was taken and the childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 that written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment is in place for all children • improve children's safety by making all potentially dangerous items in the garden and the trailing internet connection cables on the landing safe • improve book provision and ensure that books are age appropriate • provide resources that reflect diversity • make sure that all records of information are complete at the start of minding arrangements, in order to enable appropriate care

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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 • ensure that complaints procedures comply with revisions made to National Standards in October 2005, for example, devise a clear system to keep a record of complaints. Ensure that parents are provided with up-to-date information of what to do if they have a complaint.

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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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