Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY250362 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 2003. She lives with her husband who is also her assistant, in a one-bedroom flat in Camberwell, which is in the London borough of Southwark. There is no garden but the flat is located within walking distance of the local park. Children have access to all the rooms in the flat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years old at any one time; when working with her assistant, she may care for up to five children under eight. She is currently minding two children under five years old on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well by the good standards of hygiene within the home and because of the good procedures which the childminder follows in order to reduce the risk of

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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 cross infection. For example, the childminder wears gloves when changing children's nappies and wipes the changing mat after each use. Children are encouraged to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and know why they need to wash their hands, for example before eating their lunch. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are unwell; the childminder shares a detailed sickness policy with parents at the start of each placement. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she is able to give children appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior consent for the childminder to administer medication, which ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs, however, there are several occasions when parents are not reminded

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Helping children to be healthy

to sign the record book to acknowledge the entry.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy and nutritious snacks offered to them, which includes options of fruit. Regular drinks of milk and water are offered, which are easily accessible to the children as these are kept in their bottle or beaker. Parents are provided with a sample menu of meals their children are likely to have during the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound appreciation of the need to provide children with opportunities to engage in large physical play. Children use the drop in childminding group, the soft play area within a leisure centre and local park. As a result, children are able to exercise in fresh air and develop strong bodies to fight infection and stay healthy.

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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, welcoming, safe and secure environment. Children settle very quickly in this setting and are happy and content, mainly because the childminder has created a child friendly environment with appropriate resources invitingly displayed, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. As a result, children are able to independently make choices as to what they play with. Children demonstrate how familiar they are in this setting as they open cupboards to locate drawing paper, and know which drawer the childminder keeps her glasses in. This provides children with a sense of belonging. Resources are changed daily to ensure children do not become bored with the same equipment. Children have space to play, rest, sleep, and have comfortable place to enjoy their meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children are reduced and appropriate safety equipment is in place. There is a fire blanket which is appropriately positioned and she has devised a fire evacuation plan. However, an emergency escape plan has not been practised with children to ensure they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, if necessary.

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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 knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, which help her protect children from harm and neglect. Written procedures and relevant contact numbers are in place and easily accessible; these are shared with parents at the start of new placements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder's high level of individual attention and reassurance supports young children and helps them to separate from their parents. Young children settle very well in the welcoming, family atmosphere of the childminder's home. Children are happy as they receive lots of interaction and appropriate cuddles from the childminder. Children are given equal attention

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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 and provided with age appropriate toys. Very young children have access to toys which makes sounds; they are finding their own voice as they gurgle and squeal in delight as they make their own sounds when banging stacking beakers together. Older children enjoy drawing and building towers with the childminder's encouragement. Children enjoy singing action songs with the childminder and they actively involve the younger children in their play as they play peek-a-boo.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to have opportunities to mix with other young children, which in turn is helping to develop their social skills. They visit the local library on a regular basis as well as making visits to the park and shops. The childminder reads to children frequently, encouraging children to develop their language skills. The childminder uses her understanding of the Birth to three matters framework to plan activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and the childminder aims to meet their individual care needs. Due to the childminder’s responsive care, children feel valued and cared for. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs; this helps maximise their learning and potential. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through visits out in the local community. They recently celebrated Diwali, where they helped to decorate the childminder's home with tinsel and made candle holders to take home. There are some books and play equipment which reflect diversity. Children feel a strong sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning right from wrong as the childminder is very proactive in encouraging the children to share, for example, she asks the older child to share her book with the younger child. Children are well behaved as they know what is expected of them. They listen to the childminder when she gives them instructions and willingly tidy up toys after play without being asked to do so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents are good. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents and gathers all relevant information relating to the children at the start of placements in order to maintain home routines such as eating and sleeping times. Shared daily information is two-fold. The childminder uses a book to record details about the children's day, which in turn the parent takes home and provides information about the child at home. Further information is shared verbally when the children are collected at the end of the day. This enhances the care given to the children. The childminder has a complaints policy which is shared with parents but has yet to develop her understanding of new regulation guidelines relating to the handling of complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home, which is organised effectively to meet their individual needs. The childminder provides good care in a homely, loving environment; this is a particular strength of this setting. She works closely with parents and provides lots of individual, caring support to children. The childminder plans and provides a range of activities and play equipment which are developmentally age appropriate for the children attending.

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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 Documentation is well organised and most record keeping systems are in place. Written policies and procedures such as child protection, complaints and sickness are given to parents and discussed. These contribute to children's welfare, care and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder's vetting procedures ensure that all adults living in her home are suitable to be in the proximity of children. The childminder maintains a very good standard of hygiene and safety within her home; however, she has yet to practise her emergency evacuation with the children. All areas of the premises used for childminding that are accessible to children are safe. The childminder has a secure understanding of the National Standards for childminding and her responsibility to comply with these to provide good quality childcare.

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Organisation

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 agreed to provide a suitable range of toys and activities for children which helps to meet their developmental needs and provide more opportunities for parents to give and receive regular information on their children's interest and progress. Both recommendations have been suitably addressed and as a result children now have access to a wide range of resources and activities, which helps them to progress in all areas of their development. She has developed a good working partnership with parents which helps to promote children's well-being.

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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 parents signs the medication record to acknowledge all entries of any medication administered • ensure that emergency evacuation procedures are practised with children, so they are prepared should an emergency situation arise • improve knowledge of the complaints procedure.

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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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