Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252524 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2007 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 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 March 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged two years and nine years in a large extended house in Welling in the borough of Bexley. The whole of downstairs is used for childminding. Children play and sleep in the large through-lounge and dining room and have access to the downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a small dog who does not moult.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under two years, one of whom is part time and two school children under eight years, term time only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is part of the Bexley Network and 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's health is well promoted. They benefit from regular fresh air and exercise walking to and from school and on trips to the local parks where they can run around and use the large play equipment. Children can now also have access to the garden and play on the trampoline for physical exercise. Good cleaning and hygiene routines help to protect children from germs and infection; for example, wooden floors and surfaces are cleaned regularly with Dettol and anti bacterial sprays. Children are encouraged to clean their teeth after breakfast and wash their hands after going to the toilet and before meal times. Separate flannels and towels are provided to prevent cross infection. Children with sickness, diarrhoea and infectious deceases are required to stay at home. Children are well protected if there is an accident as the childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and has a fully stocked first aid box. However, she

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Helping children to be healthy

does not have parent's written consent to seek hospital treatment in an emergency. Although children have their main meal at home with their parents the childminder provides healthy snacks such as home made soups and fresh fruit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play and relax in a warm, homely environment where they are well supervised. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments to her home to ensure that hazards are minimized and children are kept safe. All necessary safety precautions such as a fire blanket, socket covers and smoke detectors are in place. The garden has been made safe and is now suitable for children to use. Furniture, equipment and play resources are in good condition and meet the needs of the children. The large trampoline is fitted with safety sides to prevent children from falling off. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly with the children. The childminder ensures that children are kept safe on outings by strapping younger children into the buggy. Children old enough to walk have to hold her hand or onto the buggy while school children are allowed to walk a head of the childminder and are taught to cross roads safely by

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

using the Green Cross Code. Children are well protected as necessary checks have been completed on persons living in the household. The childminder has a comprehensive child protection policy which is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She demonstrates a good understanding of child abuse and of her role and responsibility for recording and reporting any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and very much at home in the their surroundings. They enjoy their time spent with the childminder because they take part in a good range of activities that promote all areas of their learning. They can choose what they want to play with from a broad selection of play resources that include role play and dressing up, construction, puzzles, games, small world, educational toys and art and craft materials. As a local authority network childminder she has access to themed boxes of activities. At the inspection, children are having great fun developing their creativity using a good variety of collage resource to make pictures with. The childminder interacts well the children encouraging them to talk about their pictures. Later they enjoy doing puzzles and bead threading before settling down on the sofa with the childminder to watch Cinderella. During the week children benefit from activities outside the

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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 home. They enjoy visiting other childminders and going to toddler groups to socialise with other children and to the local park for physical play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home regardless of colour, culture, religion or ethnic background. This is reflected in her equal opportunities policy which is shared with parents. During the settling in period the childminder talks to parents to find out about children's likes, dislikes, routines for eating and sleeping, special requirements and family background. This enables her to care for their individual needs. Children learn about diversity through positive image play resources such as dressing up clothes, books and puzzles. The childminder has a positive attitude for caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She works in partnership with parents to ensure children's care needs are met. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self esteem. As a result they are happy and well behaved. Strategies for dealing with unwanted behaviour are appropriate to children's age and stage of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

development; for example, distraction is used for younger children and time out with an explanation for older children. Good relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well being. New parents are shown the childminder's portfolio and are given copies of her policies and procedures. Information is shared daily when children are dropped off and collected.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a professional childminder who continues to attend training in order to keep her childcare knowledge and practice up-to-date. She is currently in the process of doing her NVQ Level 3 and as a Bexley Network Childminder she has access to extra support, training and resources. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the National Standards and the conditions of her registration. Her home and play resources are well organised so that children can play safely and make choices about their play. Children receive good adult support and supervision. All necessary documentation is in place apart from consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice. The childminder meets 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 make sure that the attendance register includes times of children's arrival and departure and to obtain parents consent for seeking emergency medical advice. The attendance register now includes children's times of arrival and departure but unfortunately the childminder does not have written consent for seeking emergency treatment as she confused this with obtaining consent for medication.

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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 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): • obtain written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment

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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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