Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

402577 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Melissa Turner Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives in St Paul's Cray, Orpington, Kent with her children aged 9 and 15. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed front garden for outside play.

p.2

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 three children under five on a part time basis. The childminder uses public transport or walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder has five cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a strong understanding of keeping themselves healthy. They have pegs for their own hand towels in the bathroom, which are labelled with their photographs, and are

p.2

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 reminded to wash their hands with a sign. Younger children are supported with hand hygiene as the childminder cleanses their hands with wet wipes at appropriate times. These aspects help to avoid the spread of infection. The childminder adopts strict hygiene routines to maintain a clean environment. For example, floors are swept and wiped daily, highchairs are wiped clean with antibacterial wipes and strict procedures are in place for nappy changing. An individual box for each child holds all the items they need such as nappies, wipes and cream, enabling the childminder to be organised and ensure she uses only the individual child's supplies.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating as they are provided with nutritious meals and snacks. A weekly menu planner identifies that a very healthy range of food is supplied. Younger children have food supplied by their parents. The childminder supports and encourages their emotional well being as she encourages them to try feeding themselves with a spoon. Children stay hydrated as they can help themselves to their beakers of drinking water at all times, and the childminder regularly encourages this. Older children also benefit from projects on food and healthy eating, and activities such as fruit picking.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity on a regular basis. They delight as they have the opportunity to crawl through the pop up tunnel set up indoors. They also benefit from regular outdoor play and fresh air on a daily basis. They regularly visit the local woods for nature trails, feed the ducks at the park and visit indoor physical play centres. As a result, they are developing a sense of enjoyment of physical play. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with an emergency, accidents or illnesses.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming environment which is totally dedicated to meeting their needs. The childminder has organised her home around the children. For example, bright welcoming posters are displayed around the living room which is set up purely for the children during the day. Areas within the kitchen allow children to feel welcome and settled, as they can see pictures and posters and evidence of their arts work. They can also help themselves to the books from the book area and some other toys are set out accessibly. Within the lounge a good range of toys are made available and rotated frequently to offer a wide variety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is extremely aware of promoting children's safety, and provides a safe home environment. Annual risk assessments are completed and recorded and the childminder also carries out a daily visual check on her home. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire because they practise quarterly fire evacuations; these are recorded and evaluated by the childminder. Children are supervised well and their safety is promoted in practice. For example, the childminder removes young children's socks to discourage falling over when walking on the wooden floor. As a result, children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care.

p.3

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, as the front garden is used, the childminder is very aware of safety issues to consider and supervises children at all times. The childminder has a strong knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns, and has completed a NSPCC training course

p.3

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 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.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely settled and happy in the childminder's care. They respond well to her as she sits at their level interacting with them, encouraging them in their development. For example, they delight as a ball is passed between the childminder and the child, rolling it along the floor. Children enjoy exploring the stacking bricks and the noises they make. They thoroughly enjoy the musical CD and the musical instruments offered to them to play along to the music. The childminder is skilled at engaging the children's interest, she maintains good eye contact with them, chatting to them and supporting them in their play and development. For example, she encourages early language development, responding to babbling and chatting to children throughout everything she is doing. Children enjoy using a push along toy to encourage their early walking skills. They explore a wide range of toys set out at floor level for them to help

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

themselves, these are rotated twice a day, every day, providing children with great variety and sustaining their interest levels.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises a variety of activities for children on a daily basis, although planning for younger children's development is not currently completed. However, the childminder does have a very clear understanding of children’s needs and abilities. Activities such as trips to the parks, toddler groups and walks in the woods locally are offered regularly. Young children thoroughly appreciate the warmth and comfort the childminder offers them. For example, supporting them as they wake from a sleep and regularly offering cuddles and close support. All of these aspects contribute to children enjoying and achieving to a good standard whilst in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for well as individuals. The childminder encourages children in their activities and helps them to feel valued and important. The childminder promotes children's development and offers them support and encouragement throughout their day. Consequently, they feel settled and secure in the childminder's care. A detailed enrolment form ensures the childminder is aware of a wide range of information regarding children's individual needs. There are a wide range of resources promoting diversity, which helps to promote and teach children about the diversity of our society. Children are encouraged to behave well through the childminder's consistent approach. She praises children frequently which they respond to well. The childminder offers close support and interaction to enable children to feel supported and offers plenty of comfort and reassurance. They are happy and settled and benefit from the childminder's calm,

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

caring approach. Older children appreciate the use of sticker charts. As a result, children are learning about good behaviour and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has considered a wealth of ways to work in partnership with parents. They benefit from her organised approach ensuring all required documentation relating to their children's care is in place. Parents are worked with closely, with daily communication and completion of a contact book for children under the age of three. A range of information is displayed for parents in the hallway area. The childminder also ensures parents feel well informed

p.4

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 by keeping them updated with regular texts and emails, sometimes emailing parents photographs of their children. A wide range of positive references from parents are testament to the level of care provided and the close liaison with parents maintained. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met, and parents are able to receive a full range of information about their children's care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is exceptionally well organised, enabling her to promote strong outcomes for children, with organisation being an outstanding area. She invests much of her time and energy in to her childminding business, enabling her to provide a quality service to children. She is totally dedicated to her roles and responsibilities. Her commitment to this is evident in clear training plans and action plans, frequent attendance at regular refresher courses and completion of a level three childcare course and starting a level four course. The childminder has a strong dedication to improving her standards of care which is a true reflection of her commitment. Paperwork is excellent; it is thorough, well organised, confidentially stored and extensive, supporting the childminder in her role and enabling her to run a professional service. She organises her home exclusively to meet the children's needs and is dedicated to providing the

p.5

Organisation

highest standards of care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in January 2005, the childminder was asked to make available a written complaints procedures and implement permission for emergency treatment. Both paperwork items have been put in place, contributing to the childminder's strong organisation.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • consider formalising use of the Birth to three matters to help plan for children's next steps

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6