Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY101117 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Close 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 has been registered since 2002. Her home is a flat in a low rise building located in a residential road in the Colliers Wood area of southwest London. The local authority is Merton. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 10 years, eight years and two and a half years. She is currently caring for two children on a part-time basis. These children are 19 months old and five years six months old respectively. There are shops, local parks, buses and an underground station all within walking distance of the childminder's home. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and other places of interest on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a very clean home environment. They can be cared for appropriately by the childminder if they have a minor accident because she has a current first aid certificate and suitable first aid resources. However, parents have not been asked for their written

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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 permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment or advice which risks delay. Children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection because the childminder ensures that parents know that their children must not attend if they are unwell or infectious. Children learn about good personal hygiene because the childminder talks to them about hand washing. She provides them with suitable wipes and has placed a poster in the bathroom to remind the older children. Nappy change procedures are hygienic and the childminder uses anti-bacterial gel to clean her hands if she is out of the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary needs at the time of registration. She is flexible to meet parental requirements and at present parents have elected to provide the food for their children. The childminder is aware of healthy eating and, when she is providing meals, she avoids giving children salty or sweet foods. Children enjoy healthy fruit snacks and frequent drinks of fresh water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for healthy exercise because the childminder takes them to the park nearby on a regular basis. They also benefit from visits to two local soft play centres and weekly visits to the drop-in centre where they play on large gym mats. Children walk to and from school which encourages a healthy lifestyle.

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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 warm, well lit and very well presented home environment. Security is good and children cannot leave the flat unobserved. Children have ample space in which to play, eat and rest. A good selection of toys is stored in the lounge where children play and there are more toys stored at a low level in a child's bedroom nearby. The toys are of good quality, in good condition and suitable for boys and girls up to eight years. Equipment for babies and toddlers includes a high chair with reins and safety gates that are used keep children safe in the home. For example a gate prevents children from accessing the kitchen. The childminder describes suitable car seats, boosters and safety belts which she uses to keep children safe when they travel in her car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder assesses risks to children and she has valid public liability insurance. Fire safety is very well planned. Older children know the planned fire evacuation procedures and this, together with working smoke alarms and a fire blanket, helps to keep the children safe. Thermostats on the radiators are used to prevent them from getting too hot and electric socket covers are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded appropriately in relation to child protection issues because the childminder is well informed. She knows what signs or symptoms suggest ill-treatment and has appropriate contact information to hand should she have concerns for the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has worked hard to achieve her National Vocational Qualification at level three and she uses her learning to plan a good range of activities for the children. Activities clearly relate to the Birth to three matters framework. A typical week for the children includes indoor and outdoor play and worthwhile visits to local places of interest. They develop their social

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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 skills through play with other children at the park, the local soft play centres and the childminder drop-in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Visits to the toddler group also present opportunities for children to dance and enjoy making music together. Described activities include dressing up and playing with small world toys. Children do art and craft activities with the childminder. Attractive examples of past art work show that they handle materials which include pasta, glitter glue and a range of papers. Children were observed playing with battery operated toys and wind up toys and they enjoy the sounds that they make. Children evidently love books and they bring them to the childminder to cuddle up and enjoy them with her. The children learn new words when looking through the books and listening to the childminder who speaks clearly to help them develop their speech.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are made known to the childminder at the time of registration. She finds out about home languages and customs as well as their fears, likes and dislikes. Parents tell the childminder about their child's normal routine at home so that she can mirror this routine in her own home. Children enjoy diverse activities, which include enjoying celebrations linked to popular festivals, including Chinese New Year. The childminder helps them to get used to diverse people by taking them out and about in the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties. However, she is aware of the importance of working with parents to help the children make the best progress. Children are given clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour. The childminder says that they respond well to praise and reward. Younger children are easily distracted if they get into mischief and they play happily with the good range of toys that are made accessible to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good working partnership that the childminder has established with parents and carers. They gain confidence from the continuity of care that they experience with the childminder. Contracts are reviewed annually or more often if required and a clear set of policy and procedure documents is shared with parents which ensures that they are well informed about what the childminder offers. They find out about their child's progress through discussion and through sharing observation notes and photographs of their children at play.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder supervises the children closely at all times to ensure that they are safe from non- vetted persons. She arranges her home with their comfort and safety in mind. The childminder plans and provides a good range of activities which help children learn. She is conscientious in relation to training which informs her work with the children. She has obtained most of the required written permissions from parents. However, the childminder has not fully understood the requirements of the National Standards in relation to all aspects of record keeping. She has not retained a record of the children's attendance over the last year to share at this inspection which is in breach of regulations. Taken 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 time of the last inspection one recommendation for improvement was made. The childminder agreed to make electrical leads inaccessible to the children. The childminder has now rearranged her home and children cannot access any electrical cables, which contributes to their safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required either the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that 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 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): • request parents' permission in writing to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • retain records of attendance for a period of at least two years after the last entry, include children's full names in the records and have them ready for inspection at any time.

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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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