Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY246416 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2008 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 September 2003. She lives in the Walworth area of Southwark with her mother, daughter and two grandchildren, one of whom is under eight years. Children have access to all of the home, except the bedrooms. Children are taken on outings to local parks for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is presently caring for one child who attends on a flexible basis during various school holidays. The family have a dog and one tank of fish. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

As no children were present at the time of the inspection, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is no reliable evidence on which to assess its impact on children.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder explains how children's personal independence is promoted by encouraging older children to use the toilet independently and for all children to gain an awareness of good hygiene practice by washing their hands before meals. Through observation of documentation, the childminder demonstrates an understanding of ensuring appropriate procedures are implemented relating to any accidents, illness or medication. For example, the childminder has devised her own policies and procedures and keeps clear records, which are signed by parents, of any accidents or medication administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of ensuring children are provided with adequate food and drink. For example, she explains how the presently minded child brings a packed lunch which is stored and heated appropriately as required and that drinking water is constantly available. The childminder adds that she discusses children's individual dietary needs with parents and promotes healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder explains how children are taken on frequent outings to local communal play areas and parks to ensure they gain exercise and fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Through observation of the home and discussion, the childminder demonstrates an awareness of promoting safety. For example, safety gates are in place on the stairs and kitchen, a fire blanket is in place in the kitchen and a smoke alarm is in place in the hall. However, smoke alarms are not available on the upper floor or on the entry level of the premises. The childminder discusses how she promotes safety while on outings, by ensuring children learn about road safety and staying close together. In addition, the childminder has written her own policies and procedures relating to health and safety, including supervision and care of the dog within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through observation of resources and discussion, the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of providing a wide variety of toys and books that promote learning. She discusses how children are able to make choices as toys are stored at low level and easily accessible. However, not all toys are stored appropriately as some toys are stored in covered units in the bathroom, limiting space for children to move freely while using the toilet and posing a risk to the spread of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows an awareness of safeguarding children and protecting them from harm. For example, she keeps relevant information easily accessible and has written her own policy and procedure that includes the local area contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Through discussion and observation of photos and samples of children's creative work, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of providing a broad range of activities that promote children's learning and relate to their interests. She explains how children participate

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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 in indoor and outdoor play and outings and that she asks them what they would like to do each day, enabling them to make choices and develop their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides photos of children participating in outings to parks, museums and to China town to observe the Chinese new year celebrations, enabling them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. She also demonstrates how children enjoy being creative, by providing photos of children participating in activities, such as cooking to make a birthday cake and making masks and puppets using wooden spoons, paint and collage. In addition, she provides samples of children's creative work, including a scrap book with drawings, stencil work, stickers and collage of leaves and writing. She discusses how children enjoy creative projects, such as baking dough and adding magnets to make Christmas decorations, enabling children to create a desired effect. The childminder discusses how she helps children with their homework and that they enjoy reading stories together, enabling children to develop their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder explains that the children enjoy using the computer with a variety of children's games and how they play card games together and use a variety of puzzles and construction sets, enabling them to develop their problem solving skills. The childminder discusses how she helps children to learn about nature by planting seeds; she gave examples of how they grow cress, broad beans and pumpkins. She added that they also participate in regular outings to local parks where they feed the ducks and use the play areas and play football and use bikes and roller skates, enabling them to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discusses how she promotes partnership with parents by ensuring good communication and discussing the events of the day when children are collected; she shows parents her folder containing information about the setting and her policies and procedures and ensures all documentation is shared appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder explains that she encourages children to listen to each other and share and take turns during play, enabling them to develop their social skills and build positive relationships. She adds that she ensures that she is consistent in her management of children and their behaviour, enabling them to gain awareness of right from wrong and expectations of good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates an understanding of promoting equality as she has written her own policies relating to equal opportunities and inclusion. She ensures documentation is used appropriately to record details of children's individual needs and provides a range of activities aimed at helping children to learn about cultures and beliefs. For example, through observation of photos and discussion, the childminder shows how children participate in outings to museums and places of interest and participate in creative activities within the home, such as making cards for celebrations. Through observation of resources and discussion, the childminder adds how children also have opportunities to use a wide range of books, puzzles and dolls that promote diversity.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Through observation of documents the childminder demonstrates an understanding of ensuring documents are used appropriately and shared with parents, helping to safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder keeps accurate records of children's hours of attendance, their individual details and any accidents or medication administered. In addition, she has written a wide range of information about the setting and her own policies and procedures. Through observation of documents and discussion, the childminder demonstrates how she develops the quality of her service, for example, she has attended relevant training courses, including first aid.

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Organisation

The childminder discusses how she ensures that her home is well organised, enabling children to choose toys and develop their independence. However, not all toys are stored appropriately and smoke alarms are not available on every level of the home, limiting effectiveness in an emergency. The childminder explains that the time children spend with her is well organised enabling them to participate in a wide range of activities and outings that promote learning. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to organise the space and resources more effectively, increase resources that help children learn about diversity and equality and devise policies and procedures. The childminder met these recommendations by rearranging the furniture and resources in the living room and obtained a range of books, puzzles, dolls and people figures that show positive images of people in the community. In addition, she devised policies and procedures relating to fire safety, equality of opportunity, child protection and illness.

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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 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):

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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 • ensure toys stored in the bathroom are relocated to a suitable area. • ensure smoke alarms, which conform to BS EN standards, are provided at every level of the home.

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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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