Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277598 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2007 Inspection date Sue Boylan 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 2004. She lives with her two adult sons in the London borough of Lambeth. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes the children to the park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When working alone the childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. When working with another childminder, they care for up to seven children at any on time. There are currently four children minded, some on a full-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The environment is clean and warm, children receive good support to develop appropriate personal hygiene, for example, they use wipes to clean their hands before eating food. There are effective hygiene procedures in place to protect children's health, for instance, surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray and the childminder has completed a food hygiene course.

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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 love the bedtime routine, when they have a mattress on the floor with their individual blankets and sheets.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the opportunities to extend their physical development. They have access to a well equipped garden, go for a walk and to the park. If it is raining children love to participate in music and movement and some exercise. The childminder protects children's health by ensuring parents are aware she will not care for any child who has an infectious illness. However, parents do not provide written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment or advice which means their wishes are not known

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating together. They sit at child sized tables and chairs to have their meals which are healthy and nutritious. Food provided by parents is stored appropriately to prevent spoiling. A written weekly menu is available to parents and all food is freshly prepared.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a safe, child-orientated environment. They are able to move around easily and select resources suitable to their age and stage of development, these are in good condition. Children's art work is displayed so they feel a sense of belonging. Photographs on the wall offer parents opportunities to see the children at play, enjoying themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential risks. For instance, safety gates are in place, there is no access to the kitchen and any visitor to the house is not left alone with the children. The childminder is vigilant in her supervision and children do not go upstairs unaccompanied. However, parents have not provided written consent for children to go on outings .

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are suitable fire safety precautions in place and the childminder has thought about evacuation. However, children do not practise the escape plan on a regular basis and not familiar with the routine. Children are learning to keep safe, for example, knowing the word 'hot' when there was a hot drink on the dining table and going to another side of the room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection. She has the correct guidance and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled within the home. They are familiar with the surroundings and have good relationships with the childminder who is attentive and caring in her approach. Children willingly approach the childminder to show her a 'monster' or their 'hat'. Children's learning is extended when they talk about shapes, head wear and colours during a musical instrument session. They shake their tambourines to a familiar song, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy each other's company and play well together. Their self-esteem is fostered because the childminder responds to them warmly and recognises their achievements. There are good opportunities for children to create, for example, hand printing, play dough, Christmas

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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 decorations and collage. They are beginning to use their imaginations, for instance, pretending a wooden brick is an ice-cream and talking about the flavour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and respond well to the praise and support provided by the childminder. She uses strategies that are appropriate to the age and stage of the children. They know the routine and are beginning to learn important social skills, such as sharing and taking turns. To encourage positive behaviour the childminder encourages children to see if her face is 'happy' or sad', this promotes easy to understand boundaries and opportunities for them to understand feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach towards caring for children who have a range of different needs and abilities. Children are valued as individuals and are totally at ease in the childminder's company. There are good opportunities for children to experience the local and wider community. They have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of today's society, such as making dragons for Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is good partnership with parents. The childminder provides information on a daily basis which contributes effectively to children's wellbeing. Comments from past parents include 'friendly and approachable'. However, parents are not aware of the details relating to the regulator. The childminder plans a trip to the coast for parents and children, this provides an opportunity to socialise together and enhances children's experiences of the world around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The day is well planned and includes time for quiet and active play. Children are treated very much as part of the family and benefit from the structured but flexible routine. They receive good adult support particularly when the there are two childminders working together. There is an effective procedure to ensure children are not left with any person not vetted. Most of the required records are in place, this contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing, however, the organisation of the paperwork is not in very good order. The childminder likes to attend external courses to keep her childcare knowledge updated. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure the children are familiar with the emergency escape plan • obtain written parental consent for children to be taken on outings • ensure the required paperwork is in good order • provide parents with details about the regulator.

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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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