Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266125 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Pauline King 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. She lives with her partner and two children. They live in a house in Morden. There are parks and local school within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight at any one time; she is currently caring for two children who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the home except the kitchen is used for childminding. Children have access to a safe and secure garden for outdoor play. The childminder drops children off and picks children up from the local school and regularly visits local toddler group and parks with the children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children keep hydrated as they have regular access to drinks. Parents provide the main food for their children, which the childminder stores in the refrigerator. The childminder discusses

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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 with parents the individual dietary requirements for the children. This ensures she has a clear understanding of additional snacks she can provide for them such as sandwiches.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the importance of good hygiene practice, for example, they are encouraged with the routine of washing their hands after using the potty and toilet. Effective hygiene procedures followed by the childminder protect children from the spread of infection. For example, children excluded for first 24 hours if infectious. The childminder deals effectively with minor accidents. She promotes children’s welfare, as there is effective communication with parents relating to accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's general physical development as she ensures they have plenty of walks and takes them to local common and local toddler group to enjoy the large play apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected because the childminder has all the safety equipment in place and regular, well organised routines to risk assess the premises. Children's safety is further assured because the childminder has a written emergency evacuation plan, which is practised regularly with children to ensure they are familiar with the procedure in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from a good range of age appropriate toys and play materials, which are safe and well maintained. They enjoy a good amount of clear play space. There is a good variety of equipment to support the individual needs of children. For example, play house and play people and creative play to encourage children's development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards children's welfare as she has a good understanding of her role and responsibility in relation to child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves and have fun in a happy, homely environment. The childminder is kind and caring and supports children's emotional well-being. For example, the childminder was very patiently coaxing new children to look at and try different activities to increase their creative development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities throughout the week to mix with other children as the childminder takes them to toddler group. This enables them to develop their social skills and confidence and experience different environments. The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive plenty of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a variety of good age appropriate play materials and they make their own decisions about what they do. They enjoy playing with these, especially the play house and play people. The childminder rotates toys regularly to maintain children's interest and to keep their play provision fresh. She makes suggestions for things that children might like to do and responds to their interests. For example, children singing action songs and using sign to extend their language skills.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children with respect and uses lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem, which contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. Children become aware of their own and other cultures due to the childminder's positive attitudes towards diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good partnership with parents. The childminder discusses the children’s requirements with parents and provides them with written individual daily diaries and verbal feedback each day. The consistency of care enhances children’s security and promotes their well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an understanding of her role in relation to complaints. The childminder provides parents with the contact details of Ofsted as the regulators of childcare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Appropriate checks for suitability were carried out at registration.

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Organisation

The children feel at home within the friendly environment. The childminder dedicates her time and attention fully to the children when they are present. Children have good space because the environment is organised to make the most of the available space for children's play opportunities and care needs.

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Organisation

All but one regulatory documentation for the safe and effective management of children is in place, and includes a wide range of written policies and procedures, which contributes to children's health, safety and well being. For example, the accident book, register and children's details are accurately maintained. However, no written permission has been obtained from parents to take photos of the children. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed for parents to see and detailed information kept on children are well maintained, in a confidential manner and made available for inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken the following steps to minimise the risks to children. Business use is now included in car insurance, policies have been reviewed and include, behaviour management and system to record any incidents of physical restraint. Daily diaries provided and shared with parents at the end of each day.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint in October 2005 These concerns relate to National Standards 4 (Physical Environment), 7 (Health), and 12 (Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers). Ofsted investigated this complaint, no evidence was found that the National Standards are not being maintained. 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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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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to take children's photos.

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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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