Homelands School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128651 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Hurst 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 outstanding. 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 1987. She lives with her family in a three bedroom house in Lewisham.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children under eight years. There are three children currently on roll on a part-time basis. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the premises and there is a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to drop and collect children from local schools. The childminder regularly takes children to toddler groups and other local facilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a childminding support group and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed an NVQ level 2 and supports children with special educational needs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is effectively promoted by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of children’s health, hygiene and nutrition. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene. The childminder ensures children in her care receive healthy and nutritious home cooked foods. All foods are made according to parents' wishes and meet children's special dietary requirements as well as their religious requirements. The childminder ensures the children's welfare is paramount. The childminder openly encourages all children to try foods that she has cooked for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the requirements for administering first aid and medication, and the childminder takes responsibility for ensuring that all records are kept appropriately. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder is an excellent role model to the children on hygiene practice, such as washing her hands and using disposable gloves before and after each nappy change. This helps the children to develop a very good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder has completed relevant first aid training which ensures that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health and are expertly supported by the childminder who plans an extensive range of physical activities within both the home and garden. Children visit local play areas and toddler groups, and they regularly walk to and from school. There are plenty of opportunities to use a wide range of equipment, which develops children’s large and fine motor skills. For example, the childminder has an abundance of resources for the children to use in her own garden and activities they use when they are in the house. The childminder also takes the children to the local park where she hires out bikes for the children to ride around on. The childminder also teaches the children the importance of sharing with the bikes which develops their social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are welcomed into a child centred home. Paintings and children's pictures are displayed around the home, which boosts the children's self esteem and their confidence. Children are kept safe whilst in the care of the childminder, because she has a clear and appropriate understanding of maintaining a secure environment. Children are protected by the childminder's daily premises checks, clear policies and their own developing understanding of safety in and out of the home. Children have access to a very well organised, child orientated space in which they can move around freely without hurting themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the resources she has in the home and checks these regularly to guarantee that they are safe and suitable for children's use at all times. The childminder ensures that daily checks take place to the premises and equipment, including the garden, in order to ensure that children remain safe. The childminder ensures all resources conform to safety standards and that they are appropriate for the age of the children that are playing with them. All children are taught the importance of road and personal safety by a knowledgeable childminder. Children are taught how people in uniforms, such as police officers

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 community support officers (PCSOs) are to be trusted and children are able to talk to them if they require help.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are regularly taught the importance of fire safety at a level the children are able to understand, this further protects the children's safety in the care of the childminder. Children's safety is further enhanced as the childminder ensures she has all relevant checks carried out on her vehicle and for her pets. Children's welfare is strongly safeguarded because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues and has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities to report any concerns to the appropriate agency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are secure and confident due to the caring and strong relationships that the childminder has developed with them. The childminder spends time talking to and getting to know the children so that she can plan and present activities to meet their individual needs. Children attending the childminder's benefit from an extensive range of resources that stimulate and educate them. Children flourish in the care of the childminder, as she is committed to their care and welfare. Children gain independence and confidently choose from an extensive range of activities and resources that are easily accessible to them and are empowering.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes regular photos of the children that she uses to write observations. The childminder labels these pictures with the areas of learning they relate to. This allows the childminder and parents to see how well the children are developing and if they require help in certain areas. The childminder shares with the children each week the outings they will participate in. The childminder ensures the plans she has fit around the children ensuring a versatile learning environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with great interest and enthusiasm, they concentrate for extended periods from a very early age and rapidly develop new skills, such as spelling their names and counting past 20 with ease. The childminder teaches the children about the world around us especially during meal times. When children have a Burmese curry they will go onto the internet to look at the country and to learn about the people and the way they live, this ensures children learn purposeful and meaningful information.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children from a young age are forward thinking and proactive with their learning. Children are able to spell their names without prompting from the childminder, and will find the letters that spell it out. The childminder ensures children are able to learn at a pace that suits them, still ensuring that they are able to flourish and that activities stretch them to the best of their abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures children are cared for in an inclusive environment where every child matters. Children learn about diversity from a resourceful childminder. Children regularly track items and look at their homes on Google Earth, this allows the children to see the world around us in a different and interesting way. Children learn about festivals and celebrations from cultures around the world through an abundance of resources and activities the childminder has. Children attending local play groups with the childminder have their knowledge extended through the activities they provide.

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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 The childminder has exceptional knowledge of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder ensures her care of these children does not impede the welfare of others. The childminder ensures she consults parents and outside agencies and works with them to enhance their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is an excellent role model to the children, as a result children are extremely well behaved. The childminder ensures children understand the importance of sharing and turn taking, as a result children learn important socialising skills. All children are treated as individuals and equals. The childminder continually praises and encourages the children's positive behaviour which boosts their self esteem and their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from concrete relationships between parents and the childminder. The childminder shares all of her policies and procedures with parents, which ensures they are fully aware of her practices. The childminder completes a daily dairy for the parents which lets them know how their child has been during the day and what they have completed. This also lets the parents communicate with the childminder about what the children have been doing away from the childminder. All parents feel extremely comfortable in the childminder's home and speak very highly about the care that their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has policies and procedures which are meticulously maintained and shared with all parents of children in her care. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of changes in legislation and ensures all of her policies and procedures are updated to reflect this. The childminder makes excellent use of resources to maximise children's enjoyment and promote their development. The high quality of this provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend, extremely well and has a high regard for the well-being of all children.

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Organisation

The childminder extends her already knowledgeable care by attending further training courses which benefits the children in her care. Children's safety is enhanced as the childminder ensures they are not left alone with non vetted people. Children's welfare, safety and health are effectively promoted because all legally required documentation is up to date, accurate and detailed which ensures efficient care of the children. The childminder ensures she has appropriate facilities in place to care for the children if she is ill or needs to attend training courses during the week. This ensures continuity of care for the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to carry out one recommendation. This was to ensure the radiator temperature is monitored. The childminder ensures the temperatures on the radiators are kept low if they are accessible to the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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