Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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159908 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2007 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 satisfactory. 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 2001. She lives with her two adult children and one child aged six years in the London Borough of Southwark. The whole ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under five years all of whom attend on a part time basis and two children over five years after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/carer and toddler groups.

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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 satisfactory. Children benefit from regular exercise that contributes to their good health. For example, they walk to and from school and visit local parks and children's groups where they can play on large climbing equipment and wheeled toys. The childminder follows individual routines for eating and sleeping. This ensures continuity of care and contributes to their physical well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and young children enjoy freshly prepared foods and snacks that are both healthy and nutritious such as fresh fruits and pureed vegetables and receive plenty of water throughout the day. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. The childminder monitors meals to ensure that children receive a good balance each week, however, does not gather information regarding children's individual diet to ensure dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are not developing good hygiene practices from an early age and the childminder's own practices does not prevent the spread of germs. For example, young children are not supported to wash their hands before eating finger foods and the childminder does not wash her hands before handling foods or before feeding babies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that she gathers all relevant information regarding children's medical history. All the required documentation such as accident and medication records are in place and the childminder ensures that she maintains a current first aid certificate. This ensures that she can give appropriate care if there is an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in an environment where they can move around freely and benefit from some good safety measures. For example, carefully selected toys ensures that children have a good choice of safe and suitable resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Babies and young children are checked regularly when sleeping, the premises is secure and the garden is well maintained. However, the windows in areas used by the children are not safe and easily accessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation procedure which she regularly practises and discusses with the children. This helps the children to become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has clear written information about the signs and symptoms of abuse and the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures to be followed if she has a concern about a child in her care and contact details. Furthermore, the childminder has devised written procedures in the event of a child not being collected and in the event of a child being lost. This ensures that she can quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child's best interest.

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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. Babies and young children receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. They are beginning to develop their own preferences and make choices for themselves. They enjoy playing with small world equipment and are able to make themselves understood through language and actions. The childminder acknowledges means of communication and helps to develop young children's language through repeating sounds and naming objects. For example, young children enjoy making the sounds of different types of transport such as car and ambulance. They point to different parts of the dolls face and the childminder names the different facial features. Young children are growing a healthy interest in books as they freely select and listen to stories. They are encouraged to take part as they help to turn the pages and point to characters in the story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children express themselves creatively through a range of medium. They use dough, paint and a range of recycled materials to build and construct.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Babies and young children are developing a healthy dependence on the childminder who is receptive to their individual needs. The childminder's calm, gentle approach and consistent praise and encouragement helps to develop their self-esteem and encourages young children to respond effectively to any guidance. For example, children enjoy and take part in activities and help to tidy away resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a good range of resources that provide them with a positive outlook on the wider world and socialise with other children through attendance at the local play groups. Although the childminder does not currently provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she was able to demonstrate how she would assess the needs of the child to determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents share information about their children with the childminder and receive good clear written information about the childminding service. For example, the childminder's written policies and procedures for dealing with complaints and behaviour management. The childminder and parents agreed the care to be provided in the form of a contract and parents receive daily feedback about their child's day. This ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home and receive good support to help them feel secure. Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice to ensure that children's needs are met in most areas. However, some aspects of children's health is not promoted effectively. Regular informal discussions with parents helps to ensure continuity of care and information kept about children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. All documentation required for the safe and effective management of the childminding service is in place, well presented and readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has made significant improvement. Children have access to a good range of resources that reflect positive images of different culture, race, gender and disability. This help develop children's understanding of diversity and the wider world.

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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 have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve hygiene practices in regards to hand washing • record information about children’s special dietary requirements/allergies • assess the risks to children in relation to the windows and take action to minimise these

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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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