Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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402576 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Laura Brewer 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?

Juliette Andrews has been a childminder since 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years. They live in a house in Orpington, close to shops, parks, schools and a mainline railway station. Apart from the main bedroom, all areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has one cat.

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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. Currently she has three children on roll. They age from 17 months to four years, each attending on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a B Tec qualification in childcare and a current first aid certificate. She has completed pre-registration and further training for childminders and has experience of working with children in a day nursery setting. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through very well established every day routines. They are protected from cross-contamination because the childminder follows thorough hygiene procedures. The childminder's effective implementation of her written sick child policy clearly informs parents of her rigorous procedures and so helps to stop the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because they are provided with a healthy and well balanced diet. The childminder ensures the children are regularly offered fruit throughout the day and involves the children in meal preparation to promote discussions about healthy eating. Children's health needs are met very well as the childminder keeps excellent records that are clear and accurate, for example, children's food intake, sleep periods, well-being and nappy changes. This ensures information is effectively shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive on being physically active. They enjoy regular fresh air and exercise, necessary for their well-being. They have many opportunities to take part in a range of physical activities which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They attend a 'Head over Heels' class and micro sport sessions, which enables them to develop co-ordination and provides them with exciting physical challenges to develop their skills and abilities. The childminder's excellent understanding about appropriate types of activities and warm interaction gives the children confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised space well to meet children's needs and a welcoming environment has been created for children and parents. Children are able to move freely and safely around the home because the childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential hazards. Children can play safely because they have access to a wide range of safe and suitable play materials that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps the children to take responsibility for their own safety. For example, she has discussions with children about how to play safely within the home and about road safety issues when outside of the setting. However, fire drills have not yet been practised with children to help them extend their learning further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, the childminder recognises her responsibility to the children in her care and understands the procedures she must follow if concerned about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident and settled, they make themselves at home in the stimulating environment. The children relate very well to the childminder because she plays at their level and is physically close. This helps the children to communicate how they feel, enjoy her company and be happy to go to her for support. The children enjoy the close contact with the childminder and respond very well to her encouragement. The daily routines include visits to a wide range

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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 of interesting places such as toddler groups, parks, music groups and physical play sessions which provides them with numerous opportunities to stimulate their interest in the local environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's exceptional understanding of child development contributes greatly to the high quality of activities and experiences that the children are offered. She inspires the children's play by supporting and guiding them, being enthusiastic and knowing them well enough to know what interests them. She gives children's learning high priority every day and uses all opportunities to promote their skills. For example, whilst the children were playing with animal figures, discussions were promoted about why animals might need to go to the vet and what baby animals are known as. The childminder introduces simple mathematical concepts within the children's activities. For example, the children responded enthusiastically as they counted the ducks and discussed what shapes the sandwiches they were making could be cut into.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled at encouraging language development, she stimulates language through all activities offered and responds to the children by repeating what they say, reinforcing the language and ensuring they feel understood. She talks to the children about what they are doing and asks questions to make them think, this stimulates children's learning. The childminder records what the children can do and have achieved daily in their individual contact books and uses trackers to monitor their development. These are used well to assess how the children are progressing and help the childminder to plan appropriate and interesting activities to promote their future learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know them well. She works closely with the parents to identify the children's likes, dislikes and routines to ensure they settle and experience consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have clear information about the childminder and the service she offers as her portfolio displays well written policies and procedures. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to working in partnership with parents. She proactively seeks their views about the service provided and ways in which improvements can be made, through detailed written questionnaires

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to play together harmoniously because of the childminder's realistic expectations and clear boundaries set. Her use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and enables them to learn about acceptable behaviour. The childminder ensures that children learn positively about diversity. She provides them with a range a play resources which reflect positive images of the wider community to help develop positive views.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is aware of the appropriate levels of support required to promote children's welfare and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the setting enables children to feel at ease and at home. This allows children to develop confidence and to be independent. Play resources are stored to enable children to

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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 access equipment freely to support their development. This means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Procedures followed work in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. The childminder has a recognised child care qualification and a secure knowledge of child development. She has also completed various short training courses to support her work to ensure she is kept up to date with current guidelines.

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Organisation

Children's needs are well met because of the good relationships and communication systems set up with the parents. Parents are consistently informed about their child's day and the care provided. Documentation is well maintained and kept confidentially. 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 agreed to make sure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary. The childminder now has a system in place to support this which ensures the first aid kit is always appropriately stocked to meet children's health needs.

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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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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 fire drills are regularly practised and recorded.

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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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