Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY307924 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk 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 2005. She lives with her husband and their three children who are under eight years in a two bedroom flat in the Jamaica road area of Southwark. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. Children do not have direct access to outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time of whom no more than one may be aged under a year old at any one time. She is currently minding one child under two years old and two school aged children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well maintained because the childminder ensures she uses correct procedures for supporting the children's health and hygiene. For example, the younger children are regularly changed and the childminder ensures she prevents the spread of infections by

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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 washing her own hands regularly during this time. The older children are encouraged to develop good routines such as washing their hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children are well cared for when they are unwell and the childminder works well with parents in supporting children's needs, for example, during times of teething. This is further supported because the childminder's first aid certificate is up to date and medication is clearly recorded with consent for emergency treatment should the need arise. Children are well nourished when at the childminders who provides regular drinks and fruit and a well balanced written menu of meals which is shared with the children's parents. Their physical skills and developing bodies are further supported because she takes the children to the park on

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Helping children to be healthy

regular occasions and to a nearby playgroup to use large physical resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is generally well maintained and the childminder supervises the children well when in her care and on trips outside of the home. However, some areas of the premises have not been clearly checked for hazards and as a result the children are in danger from hot radiators and chemicals which may not be stored out of their reach. Sleeping arrangements, for example, where children sleep on a double bed, compromise their safety at this time. Despite this the children begin to understand about dangers because the childminder talks to them to enable them to become more aware. In other areas children's safety is protected because stair gates are in place to prevent them accessing the kitchen area and plug sockets in the main room have been covered. Toys and equipment which children play with meet safety standards and are generally suitable for their age group. Children are protected from fire hazards because the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder practises and records evacuation procedures and has fire prevention equipment in place. Their welfare is further safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities to monitor and protect the children from harm or neglect and to report any concerns she may have to the appropriate authorities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being with the childminder and are settled in her company. Younger children benefit from the close contact and cuddles she gives and this helps them to adjust. They interact well with each other and enjoy the company of the childminders own children who join in with their play. Children benefit from regular trips to the park and local playgroups where they can socialise with the other children there. They enjoy the resources available including puzzles and electronic toys and they move about the environment with increasing confidence, for example, using their favourite binoculars. The scope and variety of toys is limited and not all toys are freely accessible to the children during their play. Despite this the children particularly enjoy books from a selection available in their book and puzzle drawer and sit quietly whilst they look at the pictures or whilst the childminder reads to them. Children respond well to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder as she encourages them to 'talk to mummy on the telephone' and sings their favourite nursery rhymes during the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from attending a childminder who gets to know them well and supports their individuality. The partnership developed with parents supports children's 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 and ensures parents know what is happening during the day. However, the complaints procedure has not been updated in line with current regulations. Children are given equal respect at the childminders and their knowledge of difference is supported through activities such as dancing to Indian music and through the integration of resources such as books, for example, which reflect different cultures and ways of life. There are less resources to reflect disability, however. Children's behaviour is generally good and the children busily occupy themselves with what is on offer. This is because the childminder is consistent in her expectations and discusses issues which may arise with the children's parents. Children receive less positive strategies and praise for good conduct and the childminder has limited training in this area.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is generally well organised and this supports children's welfare, care and learning in most areas. A clear routine in place helps the children to know what is happening and this includes taking some children to school and having time to rest, eat, play and go on outings. The childminder has developed good links with her local authority where she seeks advice and support. As a result she has completed the required training and has an up to date first aid certificate to support her work with the children. There has, however, been little training regarding behaviour management. Most policies and procedures in place adequately underpin the National Standards and documentation is well organised and available to view. For example, she keeps up to date registers and information about children's individual needs is maintained in a confidential manner. The complaints policy has not as yet been updated, however, and

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Organisation

some risks around the home have not been identified as potentially hazardous to the children attending. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she cares.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain permission from parents to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. She was asked to attend and complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and to obtain a copy of the National Standards and guidance for day care and childminding. She was asked to ensure records are always available for inspection. The childminder has ensured records are available for inspection and has obtained a copy of the National Standards. She has attended a relevant first aid training course. She now has in place consent from parents for medication and emergency treatment should the need arise, which safeguards the children's good health and is scheduled to attend a training for the Foundation

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Improvements since the last inspection

Stage which covers issues around Birth to three matters.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been two complaints made to Ofsted which required the childminder to take action in order to meet The National Standards. The complaints related to National Standard 1; Suitable Person, National Standard 2; Organisation and National Standard 14; Documentation. An Ofsted inspector visited in December 2006 and the applicant received a compliance letter to ensure appropriate training needs were met. An action was set to ensure all adults caring for the children were appropriately vetted. Actions were set to ensure the childminder kept records of the children's attendance. A further visit was made in July 2007 and as a result the childminder was given a warning letter for breaching regulations by over minding at this time. A compliance notice was given to ensure children's attendance was

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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 appropriately recorded. The childminder responded by providing an up to date register and details relating to each child attending. She attending specified training. Ofsted was satisfied that the provider remained 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 policy 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 hazards around the premises are identified and minimised to protect the children's interests, including sleeping areas for the younger children attending • ensure children have access to a wide range of resources to support their play and learning including those which reflect disability • update the complaints policy and share the information with parents • attend a behaviour management course to support the use of positive strategies when encouraging children's good behaviour

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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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