Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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159381 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2007 Inspection date Melissa Turner 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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, seven and four in Orpington, Kent. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two of whom are under eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a very good awareness of keeping themselves healthy. Young children are encouraged to cleanse their hands before snack and after nappy changing and older children

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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 have their own hand towels with named pegs. They are reminded to wash their hands and flush the toilets with signs in the bathroom. The childminder adopts positive practices, such as sound procedures for nappy changing and maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. These aspects help avoid the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children have food supplied by their parents; older children are provided with healthy, freshly cooked meals and healthy snacks, which are regularly rotated and recorded on a weekly menu planner for parents to see. This helps ensure children are well nourished and developing an awareness of healthy eating. Children have recently started completing a 'five a day plate' where they record pictures of how many healthy foods they have eaten and receive a sticker for achieving their five portions. Older children can help themselves to a jug of water and drinks are regularly offered to younger children to ensure they remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity both indoors and out, for example, playing outdoors in better weather, trips to the park and local walks. Children also walk to and from school on a daily basis. When the weather is bad, children are able to use equipment indoors, such as a pop up tent and tunnel to develop their skills. As a result, they are developing a sense of enjoyment of physical play. All required medical and health documentation is in place, as well as a range of supporting further paperwork. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is well equipped to deal with accidents, emergencies or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming home environment which is safe and well organised to meet their needs. They have access to a very good range of safe and suitable toys and resources, which are stored in the playroom. During the inspection children enjoy playing with bricks, shape sorters and cars, and a wide range is available for children of all ages to help themselves to. Toys are stored at their level promoting choice, and others that are stored elsewhere are regularly rotated to provide children with a good range and regularly varied choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a strong awareness of safety issues and a high level of vigilance, and provides an extremely safe home environment. For example, security is well maintained, socket covers and stair gates are in place and the hearth is safeguarded. A thorough risk assessment of the home has been completed and the childminder completes a visual safety check on a daily basis. Children are supervised well and their safety is promoted in practice. For example, the childminder encourages children not to run indoors and removes their socks and rolls up trouser legs to discourage falling over. Safety is considered a priority and children are involved in practising regular fire drills; frequent smoke alarm checks are completed and a clear evacuation plan has been considered. As a result, children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings, and when playing in the garden, through the childminder's clear procedures and supervision levels. For example, the garden is fully safe and closely supervised and parents sign permission for their children to use large outdoor play equipment. Children have recently been learning about road safety and 'stranger danger', helping to keep themselves safe. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns, and has completed training in this area. As a result, children's welfare and well-being is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely settled, happy and established in the childminder's care. They confidently choose a range of toys from the playroom, bringing them in to the lounge where they have plenty of space to play with the toys of their choice. Young children are supported and encouraged and enjoy the cuddles and attention they receive. The childminder is skilled at engaging their interest; making good eye contact, smiling and chatting constantly, ensuring they feel valued and secure whilst in her care. For example, children delight as the childminder engages in nursery and action rhymes, such as 'row-row-row the boat'. Children enjoy a range of indoor activities, and also local outings, such as music and toddler groups and trips to local parks. During holidays, children enjoy outings, such as a trip to London or local farms and parks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a good range of play opportunities which extend and promote their learning. For example, they enjoy having a go at the shape sorter and the childminder supports them as they do this, talking about the shapes, colours of the shapes and counting them as they post them together. The childminder keeps observations ticked and dated in the children's tracker books, which are in line with the Birth to three matters framework. However, planning for their development is not currently completed, although the childminder does have a very clear understanding of children’s needs and abilities. The childminder has a very good rapport with the children, engaging them and interacting with them at their level, constantly involving them and encouraging them. Children are supported as the childminder chats with them about what they are doing. This helps them feel valued and secure. All of these aspects contribute

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to children enjoying and achieving to a good standard whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values children as individuals, knows them well and strives to help them meet their full potential. She is caring and considerate to their needs. For example, she recognises when children become tired and it is time for their rest. The childminder encourages children throughout their activities and helps them to feel valued and important. Consequently, children feel settled and secure in her care. There is a very good range of resources promoting diversity, which are well integrated with all toys and resources, these help to promote and teach children about the diversity of our society. In addition, the childminder organises activities around religious festivals, such as Diwali and also encourages children to learn about foods from different countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes children's good behaviour and has a calm and caring approach. She offers children regular praise and constant reassurance, enabling them to feel settled. A positive approach is used and children benefit from their sticker charts and certificates that are issued, for example, for sharing and turn taking. As a result of these aspects, children are learning about good behaviour and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. The childminder has considered many positive, professional ways to work in partnership with parents. These include keeping a contact book for younger children, an informative notice board with information for parents and parent's newsletters. In addition, she also issues parents' questionnaires and has a wealth of positive letters and cards supporting the strong partnership that is maintained. A verbal handover daily ensures parents feel well informed on a day to day basis about their children's care. Parents are provided with a good range of information, such

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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 as a detailed range of policies about the childminder's service. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met and parents are well informed about their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder's organisation is outstanding and underpins a thoroughly organised approach to promoting strong outcomes for children. Paperwork is excellent; it is comprehensive, meticulous, well organised and contains all the required mandatory documents. An extensive additional range is also incorporated, for example, comprehensive policies and procedures. The childminder takes an extremely professional approach to her childminding, continually striving to improve the service she offers to children and families. She maintains a child friendly, extremely organised home, providing children with an inviting and welcoming environment in which to play. She organises her home and the day around the children's needs and is committed to providing a strong standard of care to all children.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to updating her strong knowledge and understanding of child development and has a childcare qualification and regularly attends refresher courses to update her knowledge. In addition, a clear training booking form identifies that the childminder has a wide range of further courses booked to attend in the near future. This, together with the childminder's extremely organised approach to the running of her service and the organisation of her paperwork, is enabling her to promote good outcomes for children, with organisation being an outstanding area. 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 in September 2004, the childminder was set one recommendation to ensure children cannot access glass items. These have now been safely stowed out of children's reach and contribute to the safeguarding of children in the childminder's care.

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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. 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):

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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 • consider further developing children's experiences by planning for their play and learning

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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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