Haven Early Years Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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115830 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Sarah Morfett 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her partner and teenage children in Sidcup, within the London borough of Bexley. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children part time. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children play in a clean home where they follow good personal hygiene routines, for example, the children wipe their noses on tissues which are disposed of appropriately; they

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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 automatically wash their hands after going to the toilet and are provided with their own towel to dry their hands on. Children are kept at home if they are ill and the childminder clearly states in her policy how long they must be excluded for if they are infectious. Therefore, the spread of infection and the risk of cross infection are greatly reduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Systems in place to record accidents and medication are good. Appropriate details are noted and parents sign to acknowledge them. However, all children are recorded on one page therefore, confidentiality is not maintained. Children follow an active lifestyle. Each week they attend local toddler groups, baby gyms and soft play centres where there is a large range of activities to challenge them physically. They take regular exercise at home, playing outside in the garden or joining in with musical activities inside. Therefore, they have plenty of activities which develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a healthy balanced diet. Most children eat meals prepared by the childminder and benefit from a varied range of food including, fruit, vegetables and dishes from other cultures. They are encouraged to make choices about what they eat for example, by choosing which fruit they have at snack time. They have access to fresh drinks all day and help themselves when they are thirsty. Activities such as, buying and tasting new food introduces the children to new flavours and textures. Therefore, children begin to understand and enjoy food that is good for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well-maintained environment. They make full use of the available space, playing with good quality resources which are kept in good condition, checked for safety and cleaned often. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming to children, with toys being readily accessible. Children can easily help themselves to what they want, therefore, encouraging their independence. Good steps are taken to minimise all hazards inside and out. The childminder has a good attitude towards promoting children's safety and uses local training courses to up-date her knowledge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A clear procedure for emergencies has been developed and the children take part in regular drills. They follow clear rules for example, they know they must not go to the front door if someone calls and they discuss 'stranger danger' with the childminder when they are out of the home. Therefore, they learn to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare. She has a well developed understanding of the procedures to follow if she were to be concerned about a child in her care and communicates her duty to the parents through a well developed child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminders care. They confidently help themselves to a good range of resources which are stored at their level, bright, inviting and easy to access. These are age appropriate and help the children to develop through play. The children have been with the childminder for sometime and have good relationships. The childminder is warm and affectionate to them and they appear very comfortable in each others company. They have good opportunities to socialise with other children their own age as they attend local groups.

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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 They develop good social skills playing with other children learning to share, take turns and be kind to each other. The childminder interacts well with the children. She uses appropriate language as they play; for example, she encourages them to repeat letters and sounds after her, developing their sound recognition.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are planned using the Foundation Stage curriculum and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Each week the childminder plans activities to cover the Early Learning Goals. These plans are flexible and cater for the children's needs and interests; for example, they have been making Christmas decorations and cards to take home. They learn about the number three, letter V, colour red and the shape square through pre-planned activities. Therefore, the children's all round development is promoted very well. Observations are made of the children's achievements and progress. This information is then used to plan the next steps in their learning. Children make very good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for as individuals. The childminder records details of their medical and dietary requirements, keeps up-to-date notes of parents and emergency contact details and records their likes and dislikes. Therefore, she is able to meet their needs effectively. There is a good range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity, for example, as children play with dolls, puzzles, dressing up and play people they see a variety of diversity. They take part in festivals and celebrations from their own and other cultures. This means that they learn to respect people's differences. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities needs are met. The childminder works closely with parents and outside professionals to help the children make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from praise for positive behaviour and strategies used to manage their behaviour are age appropriate. These strategies are discussed with parents and followed through at home. Therefore, behaviour is managed consistently. Children's needs are met as their daily routine is shared in the form of a contact book with parents. They are kept well informed of the care their children receive as there is a good range of policies and procedures in place. Parents enter into firm written agreements with the childminder which helps to protect the children's welfare. Therefore, they receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. Space is utilised effectively and gives them freedom of movement. Well planned activities and good support from the childminder contributes to valuable experiences for children. The childminder is well qualified in childcare and has a positive attitude towards developing her knowledge. All adults in the home are suitably vetted and good procedures are followed to protect children from those who are not checked. Therefore, children are protected well.

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Organisation

All policies, procedures and documentation are maintained to a very good standard; for example, the registration certificate is displayed and the record of attendance is completed daily noting arrival and departure times. The childminder understands her responsibility to investigate any complaints made under the National Standards and provides parents with a procedure to follow. However, they are not provided with current contact details. The childminder fully understands

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Organisation

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 regulations of registration and follows all required procedures when needed. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that her cooker was safe and inaccessible to minded children when it was hot and to make an outside drain inaccessible. The childminder has developed her home, increasing space in the kitchen areas and fitting a new cooker which means that the appliance is safe and secure, therefore no longer a potential hazard to children. Also a decking area has been developed outside therefore, covering the drain making it safe and inaccessible to children. Children's safety is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that 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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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): • ensure accident and medication records maintain confidentiality • ensure that parents are provided with Ofsted's contact details

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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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