Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY103574 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth Chappell 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and ten years, in a residential area, close to shops, schools and parks in Thornton Heath in the London borough of Croydon.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family home has three bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground. There is also a secure back garden for outside play. The family pet is a gold fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, at the time of the inspection there was one child under eight on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 good. Children benefit from effective hygiene practices, which prevent the spread of infection. The childminder ensures good routines are in place to encourage children to begin to learn about personal hygiene. Her comprehensive written sick child policy informs parents when not to bring their children, to ensure that infections are not easily spread.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are known and respected. Clear dialogue with parents enables the childminder to be aware of special requirements and caters accordingly. Drinks are offered on a regular basis. Children are offered meals made from fresh produce and are encouraged to eat fruit and vegetables, helping them to make healthy choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected because the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and can respond appropriately to any minor accidents or injuries. She keeps accurate records about children's health needs, any accidents they have and any medicine they need to be given, which ensure parents' wishes are known and they are kept well informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a range of physical activities each week, which includes attending local toddler groups, childminding groups, and rhyme time at the library and use of a number of local parks. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the minded children to broaden their experiences and to ensure younger children's physical developmental skills are encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a welcoming and well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have a good range of suitable toys and resources that are made accessible to them in the well-equipped playroom. This helps to make the children feel at home in the setting and encourages them to make choices for themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to maintaining children's safety by supervising them at all times. She has appropriately risk assessed her home and has taken good precautions to ensure safety, such as installing suitable banisters on her staircase and ensuring the front door is not accessible to young children by having a high lock and checking that toys and equipment accessible to children are safe. When away from the home she ensures she keeps children safe by using buggies and suitable car seats when travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She knows what to do if she has child protection concerns about a child and has attended local training. She has a copy of local guidance and contact details, that are kept together with her other childminding paperwork, to ensure she can access it quickly should the need arise.

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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 very comfortable, happy and at ease in the childminder's house. They are lovingly cared for by a childminder who is fully attentive to their individual needs and responds to them positively. Children benefit from consistency with the familiar daily routine for playing, outings, meals and rest times. This all helps them feel secure and comfortable within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a good variety of activities and experiences that stimulate their learning and development. They enjoy regular outings to the library rhyme time, parent and toddler groups and a childminding drop-in, where they socialise with other children. At the childminder's home, they play freely with toys that are available within the well set out playroom, encouraging children to be able to make their own choices. The childminder keeps records of children's work and photographs of activities, which provides information for parents about their child's progress and achievements. The children are happy, confident and settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder's positive and consistent approach to rules and boundaries helps children to behave well. They begin to develop a positive view of the wider community as they enjoy walks in the local parks and visit places of interest such as the library. The childminder has a positive approach and gives gentle direction to children, reminding them to be kind to one another, and reacting calmly to any incidents that occur. Children are familiar with the expectations of the setting, and the written house rule displayed in appropriate areas, reminding children of their behaviours that they have agreed are acceptable. This approach helps children behave well and play harmoniously together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is proactive in ensuring that all children's needs are met appropriately in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties. Children benefit from good relationships between the childminder and their parents. They are well informed about the service provided through the childminder's extensive portfolio, contact books and daily feedback. However, information for parents should they wish to contact Ofsted is out of date. Overall, this positive approach supports consistency of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's enthusiasm, her highly effective organisation of time, space and resources and her committed approach. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging. The childminder is highly motivated and actively seeks and attends regular training opportunities. This ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices within the childminding setting. The childminder has recently completed child protection training.

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Organisation

Checks have been completed to ensure that persons living in the household are suitable. Personal information regarding the children and their families is filed securely to ensure confidentiality. Parents are made aware of the documents and records held prior to the commencement of care. They may have access to any records relating to their child and frequently contribute comments or information regards their child's development. The required record keeping is

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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 maintained to a consistently high standard and as a result, children's health, welfare and development are promoted successfully. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, and to ensure all areas of the home are safe for minded children. Written permission has now been sought from all parents and the home has been made safe, ensuring that all parents wishes are known and that children are able to move and play safely within the childminder home.

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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 then 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): • update the contact details available for parents should they wish to contact Ofsted.

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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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