Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY236127 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and seven years in three bedroom house in the London Borough of Lewisham. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor, except for the conservatory and garden, together with the first floor bathroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children after school, one of whom is under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has recently began the process of becoming a Lewisham Network Childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean, well maintained surroundings. The childminder has effective hygiene procedures in place to protect children from germs and infection. For example, outdoor

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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 shoes are not allowed to be worn in the home and wooden floors and work surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial cleaning materials. Children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene routines, such as hand washing after going to the toilet and before meal times, putting their hands over their mouths when coughing, and wiping runny noses. Each child has their own colour coded musical flute to prevent cross infection. Children are not fully protected in the event of accidents occurring as although the childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and has a first aid box she has not obtained parents' consent allowing her to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. Procedures for recording accidents and medication are in place. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise at local parks, on the way home from

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Helping children to be healthy

school, and from a healthy balanced diet. The childminder promotes five fruits and vegetables a day and encourages children to drink water. Children's likes, dislikes, allergies and special dietary requirements are discussed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and relax in a warm, homely environment. The childminder regularly risk assesses her home and ensures that necessary safety precautions are in place to keep children safe. These include a gate across the hallway to prevent children's access to the stairs and front door, a fire blanket, together with cupboard and drawer locks in the kitchen. Furniture, play resources and equipment are in good condition and meet the needs of the children. Children are learning about personal safety indoors as the childminder encourages them to help clear away the toys to keep floor space free from hazards. On outings children are encouraged to hold the childminder's hand and are taught about road safety. The childminder has recently passed her driving test and uses her car for transporting children, although she is not sure whether she has business cover on her insurance and has not obtained parent's written consent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate seats and restraints are provided for children travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are not fully protected as although the childminder demonstrates some understanding of child protection issues she is not familiar with current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder. At the inspection they are happy and confident and benefit from good interaction as she sits with them, joins in their play and encourages their language and thinking by constantly talking to them. Children can choose what they want to play with, from a good range of toys and activities that promote their learning and development. These include puzzles, books, games, learning and educational resources, small world animals and people, shape sorters, play dough, painting, collage, watching television and using the computer. Children promote their creativity during a painting and sticking activity using cardboard tubes and wheels to make a train. The childminder uses activities to help children learn their colours, letters and sounds. After school, children enjoy going to the park for physical activities as the childminder's garden is not currently registered.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children and families into her home. She ensures she is able to meet children's individual care needs by talking to parents, prior to children starting with her, to find out about their likes, dislikes, routines for eating and sleeping and home backgrounds. Her gradual settling in procedure helps children to separate from parents with as little upset as possible. Children have access to a range of positive image play resources to help them learn about diversity and disability. The childminder has a positive attitude to inclusion and is aware that children may have different degrees of learning difficulties and disabilities. Her strategies for managing children's behaviour are appropriate to their age and stage of development. She uses time out for older children, with an explanation as to why behaviour is unacceptable and distraction for babies and younger children. Children are rewarded with verbal praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to promote their self-esteem. Good communication and working relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well-being. Although the childminder has appropriate documentation in place for recording complaints, she does not have any information for parents on the procedure for making complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has started the process of becoming a Lewisham Network Childminder which will give her access to extra support and training needed to update her childcare practice. Although she has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework she has not updated her knowledge of child protection to safeguard children. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the conditions of her registration. Children receive good adult support. Her home and play resources are effectively organised to keep children safe and allow them to make choices about their play. Most necessary documentation is in place and includes a record of children's attendance, an accident and medication record book, contracts and child record forms. However, the childminder does not have written consent from parents allowing her to seek emergency medical advice or for transporting children in her car or any written policies

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Organisation

and procedures supporting her childminding practice. The childminder meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her previous inspection the childminder was asked to increase her toys and books promoting positive images of diversity and disability and to obtain written consent from parents allowing her to seek emergency medical treatment. Although the childminder has increased her positive image play resources to help children learn about disability and diversity she has not obtained written consent from parents allowing her to seek emergency treatment. As a result, children are not fully 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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • ensure that car insurance includes business cover and obtain parent's written consent for children to travel in the car • update knowledge and understanding of current Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures • obtain written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice • provide information for parents on the complaints procedure • develop a set of policies and procedures which underpin your childminding practice

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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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