Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY221946 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Sarah Morfett 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and five children, 11 year old triplets and two grown up children in Woolwich, in the London borough of Greenwich. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, two full time and one part time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 are cared for in a clean and tidy home because the childminder follows good routines. For example, she cleans and tidies each evening and wipes the toys over with a sterilising fluid. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. They are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. They are provided with their own flannel and towel which is colour coded, so that even the youngest child can recognise them. A very strong sickness policy ensures that children stay at home for 48 hours if they are infectious or have been prescribed antibiotics. The childminder is rigorous in getting rid of germs and uses a hand gel after nappy changing to ensure she does not pass anything on. Therefore, the risk of cross infection is minimised effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good systems are in place to record accidents and medication. Clear health agreements are made and regularly reviewed to ensure the childminder has all current information about children's needs. There are a range of comprehensive written permissions in place to protect the children. However, this is not consistent for all children. Children follow an active lifestyle. Each week they attend local toddler groups, pop-in groups and trips to the local park. This means they have access to a varied range of large equipment which challenges them physically. They eat a range of healthy meals cooked by the childminder. The baby's food and drink is provided by their parents and the childminder ensures that it is stored and reheated correctly. They have free access to a fruit bowl left at their level and can pour themselves a drink if they are thirsty. Children take part in activities which promotes their understanding of what food is

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Helping children to be healthy

good for them. Therefore, they develop a good understanding of being healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has developed the ground floor of her home into space totally dedicated to the children. They have areas to role play and a quite book corner to relax in. Walls are covered in their pictures which make them fell valued. They can easily access a wide variety of toys and resources which are age and stage appropriate and fully support their learning experiences. The good quality resources are kept in good condition, checked for safety and wiped with antibacterial liquid each evening. Thorough risk assessments are carried out within the home and before any outings to minimise any hazards to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A clear procedure for emergencies has been developed and the children take part in drills once a month. When the childminder rings the bell they know what they must do. They discuss 'stranger danger' with the childminder before they go on trips and wear wrist bands when out so if they get lost the childminder can be contacted quickly. Therefore, children learn to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare. She has a well developed understanding of the procedures to follow if she were to be concerned about a child in her care as she attends local training in child protection issues. She communicates her duty of care to the parents through a well developed child protection policy. Therefore, children are fully safeguarded.

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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 happy and settled in the childminders care. Good learning experiences are promoted through the wide range of toys and resources they can play with. For example, they can make choices from role play, dressing up, construction, educational toys, books, puzzles and musical instruments and a wide range of toys which stimulate the very young children. Therefore, they are all provided with balance and challenge. The childminder has created an environment which is totally child centred. They can stretch their imaginations in the role play area, sit quietly in a cosy area looking at books and express themselves through varied art and craft activities. Therefore, children become competent learners and progress well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports the children's learning opportunities well. She reads to the baby making sounds of the animals in the book, the baby babbles and gurgles in response learning to find a voice. Children have good relationships with the childminder and her family, as the childminder warms the baby's milk up the older children talk to the baby showing toys and teddies to keep the baby amused. The childminder's children play some of the musical instruments for the baby who responds by moving to the music. When the baby makes a sound like singing they all clap with encouragement. Therefore, very young children begin to become skilful communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the well developed knowledge and understanding the childminder has built up through attending many training courses. She provides well balanced activities for the children to learn through play incorporating the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She makes observations and assessments on the children and uses this information to identify their next steps in learning. The information is used to plan activities to promote their areas of development. This is a lovely place for children to play, learn and grow, with many opportunities and experience to promote their care, learning and play. Therefore, they make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern by the childminder. She records information about their medical and dietary requirements and notes their likes and dislikes so she is able to cater for their individual needs. The range of resources has a very high content of positive images which promote diversity. For example, as children play with disabled play figures, play people, dressing up, look at books and play with various musical instruments from around the world, they begin to understand people’s differences. They take part in festivals and celebration for other religions and cultures when they attend local toddler groups. Through discussion with the childminder they learn a lot about their own and other cultures. Therefore, they gain a good view of their local community and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder uses consistent strategies to manage their behaviour. She praises them when they are good and ignores any negative behaviour. Therefore, children learn right from wrong and gain confidence and self esteem. Children's needs are met as their daily routine is shared in the form of a contact book with parents. They are kept well informed of the care their children receive through a comprehensive range of policies and procedures devised by the childminder. There is also a notice board in the hallway where she puts any relevant childcare information and displays menus and details of the planning. Parents enter

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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 into firm written agreements with the childminder which helps to protect the children's welfare. Therefore, they receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. They receive good support and are offered a wide range of opportunities which promote their care, learning and play. The childminder utilises the space in her home effectively therefore children benefit as they can move around freely. The childminder is well qualified in childcare and is committed to developing her knowledge and understanding by attending regular training and studying for a degree in childcare. All adults in the home are suitably vetted and good procedures are followed to protect children.

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Organisation

All policies, procedures and documentation are maintained to a very good standard; for example, the registration certificate is displayed and the record of attendance is completed daily noting arrival and departure times. The childminder understands her responsibility to investigate any complaints made under the National Standards and provides parents with a procedure to follow. A high regard towards the standards means all regulations are fully met. Overall, 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 was asked to maintain a written record of all accidents and incidents for which she has a responsibility to inform the parents. She has since implemented a system where she records details of what has happened and shares this with parents who sign to acknowledge they have seen them. Therefore, children are protected.

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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 that all children are fully protected by obtaining written permissions from parents for the procedures which require them.

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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 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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