Major-Linihan, Angela

Inspection report for early years provision

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107222 Unique Reference Number 17 October 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 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, first registered in 2001, lives on the second floor of a large estate in Bermondsey, South East London. The accommodation includes two bedrooms, bathroom, toilet, kitchen and living room. The children have access to the living room and toilet and may use the second bedroom for sleeping. The childminder lives at the property with her husband and four young children. The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years old of whom two may be aged under five years old and of these one may be aged under a year old. There is no secure outside area but the minder uses local parks, playgrounds and facilities on the estate. She is currently minding five children on part time placements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well maintained because the childminder provides an environment which is clean and tidy and the children are able to confidently move around the flat and play on the carpeted floor with their toys. They regularly benefit from physical play outside in local playgrounds and parks to help their growing bodies and coordination. Children are encouraged

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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 to use tissues, regularly wash their hands after toileting and before lunch, and nappy changing procedures in place prevent the spread of infection. This is supported well through role play where the children help the childminder to change dollies nappies, for example and gain an increasing awareness of good habits in this way. Children are well cared for when they are unwell and the childminder offers lots of cuddles and reassurance for the children attending. Clear medication procedures support children's wellbeing and the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate. Children attending bring their own lunch to the childminder's home who works well in encouraging children's healthy eating habits and is mindful of any allergies. To supplement their food the childminder provides a variety of fruit and regular juice and water

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given priority and children are able to move around the flat independently using a range of good quality and safe toys and equipment. Consistent risk assessments carried out, ensure that any hazards are kept away from the children and the childminder uses equipment, such as safety gates and a fire guard to prevent children accessing unsafe areas. Children are kept safe when on outings because the childminder ensures she supervises the children carefully and reigns and buggy straps are used to further support this aim. To follow on from this the children learn the importance of safety as they strap their babies into buggies during their role play, for example. Children are kept safe from fire because the childminder holds regular recorded fire drills to help the children know what to do in an emergency. Fire prevention equipment, such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place to support such an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

event happening. Children are safeguarded from harm because the childminder monitors them closely. She is confident in talking to parents and recording and passing on any concerns which she may have about the children attending. Good links with the local childminding network supports the childminder's practice in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy coming to the childminder's home and settle well. Clear daily routines help the children to know what is happening and they settle well into her family environment. They benefit from daily fresh air and physical play through outdoor play in local parks and playgrounds. The children demonstrate an eagerness for what is on offer as they access a range of toys and activities, including musical toys, small world and dressing up clothes. They benefit from the childminder's training and experience in childcare. Children are enthused by what is on offer as they busily chat about what they are doing and demonstrate confidence moving about the environment to access toys and books. They enjoy role play where they can change and feed dollies, for example, using pretend food and cookers in their play. The children access their favourite books to share with the childminder and are encouraged to communicate their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

needs and develop their interests. Good levels of communication are encouraged and the children listen well to the childminders instructions. They benefit from attending a range of playgroups and mother and toddler clubs each week, one of which is run by the childminder herself.

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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. Children benefit from attending an environment where the childminder caters for children's individuality, interest and background. She gets to know the children well through a clear settling in time where she can talk to the parents about and support children's needs. Resources and activities support a range of interests and encourage the children to get to know about different cultures, for example as they dress up in saris and play with African musical instruments. All children are allowed to make choices about what they play with so that, for example the boys may choose to play with the buggies. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities which may arise and is able to give lots of attention to the children who may need additional help. Those who may have additional languages are well supported because the childminder is open to including a rich linguistic environment to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

support children's learning. Children behave well when with the childminder who is calm and approachable. She has identified a need to attend training in this area to support her ongoing confidence with the older children attending. Children's care and learning is supported well because the childminder communicates well with children's parents in providing continuity of care. This is further supported through a daily diary available for parents which charts children's activities each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being with a childminder who is well organised and committed to providing a good service to the children and their parents. Children are well supervised and their care, safety and welfare given priority. The childminder demonstrates enthusiasm and provides a clear routine which helps the children feel at home and part of her family. As a result, children are able to experience a range of activities including visits to local places of interest and local toddler clubs, one of which is run by the childminder with a friend. Children are well nourished with regular meals and have time to rest when they need. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and has forged good links with local childminder networks to support her practice. She seeks regular training, for example in Birth to three matters and food hygiene to ensure she is kept up to date with regulations and has

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Organisation

an up to date first aid certificate. Documentation held clearly underpins the childminding practice and is maintained in a confidential manner. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no areas identified for improvement at the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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): • follow through on objectives to increase confidence and awareness of positive behaviour management strategies

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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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