Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254186 Unique Reference Number 03 April 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 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 September 2003. She lives with her 13 year old daughter in a first floor flat in a residential area of New Cross, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The lower level of the childminder's flat is used for childminding. The garden is not currently included in the childminder's registration

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under five years, as well as her two year old granddaughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a Lewisham Network Childminder and 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 outstanding. Children's health and welfare is extremely well promoted. They benefit from very healthy meals, cooked from fresh ingredients on a daily basis with fruit provided for midmorning and afternoon snacks. Children are encouraged to drink water throughout the day. The childminder's food and drink policy, together with sample menus are shared with parents. Children take part in themes to help them learn about their bodies and the importance of healthy eating. At lunch time children are encouraged to take turns to help set the table and meal times are nice social occasions where the childminder and children sit together to eat. Children also benefit from regular outings in the fresh air and physical exercise. The childminder walks with children to activities and regularly takes them to the local park where they can run around and use the large play equipment to help develop their physical skills. Indoor children have access to a good

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Helping children to be healthy

range of resources to help them promote their fine motor skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well protected from germs and cross infection. The childminding environment is clean and well maintained. Outdoor shoes are not worn in the area of the childminder's home where children play and wooden floors are mopped regularly with an antibacterial cleanser. Her sickness policy includes procedures for the administration of medication and informs parents that they will be contacted if children become unwell whilst in her care. Parents are informed verbally about the exclusion of children who are sick and infectious. Children are learning good personal hygiene through being encouraged to wash their hands with antibacterial soap after going to the toilet, nappy changing and before eating snacks and meals. Children are able to be appropriately cared for in the event of an accident or emergency as the childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and has a fully stocked first aid box, together with written

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Helping children to be healthy

consent for seeking medical advice and treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and relax in safe, secure, child friendly surroundings. The childminder has risk assessed her home and put into place all necessary safety precautions to keep children safe. These include gates on the stairs and kitchen doorway, socket covers, the safe storage of cleaning materials, a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke detectors which are checked regularly. The childminder has recently had her home inspected by the fire safety officer who gave her advice on fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures. Furniture, equipment and play resources are in good condition and meet the needs of the children. Children are learning about personal safety. For example, the childminder explains to them about dangers such as not sitting on chairs properly and when out she teaches them to cross the road safely by using the Green Cross Code. Children are well protected as the childminder demonstrates a good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection and safeguarding children in line with current Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. However her child protection policy is very sparse and does not make any reference to LSCB procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and very much at home with the childminder. They thoroughly enjoy their time spent with her as she plans and implements an extremely good range of indoor and outdoor

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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 activities which promote all areas of children's learning and development. Children benefit from a daily routine that includes a combination of adult led activities such as song time, story time, dancing, counting, threading and sorting games, with time for free play, rest and outings to the library, childminding drop in groups and to local parks for physical play. Children can choose what they want to play with from a wide selection of age appropriate play resources which include dressing up and role play, musical toys, construction, puzzles, books, games and play dough. Children are developing good independence and self help skills by taking themselves to the toilet and taking turns to help set the table for lunch. During the inspection children take great delight in singing number songs such as Ten green bottles and listening to stories

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using props made by the childminder. They benefit from excellent interaction with the childminder and confidently talk to her about different 'feelings' as part of a theme she is doing with them. They happily take turns to hug and cuddle her. Older children benefit from one to one attention with the childminder, as the younger children rest after lunch. During this time she helps them to develop their concentration skills as they sit and complete a variety of puzzles. The childminder asks lots of open ended questions to encourage children's language and thinking. After sleep time children have great fun promoting their imaginations as they dress up in a variety of costumes and dressing clothes. Children's progress and development is well recorded as the childminder has a scrap book for each child containing photographs of activities and samples of their art work. When full the scrap book is given to the parent as a memento

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of their child's time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home regardless of culture, religion, ethnic background, gender or disability. Children's individual needs are well met as the childminder gathers lots of information from parents and carers prior to children starting with her and during the gradual settling in process. She also keeps observations of children during their time with her and ensures that activities are adapted so that all children are able to take part. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has a positive attitude to inclusion and to working with parents and other professionals. Children learn about diversity and disability through playing with positive image play resources, themes and outings in the community. Children are confident and happy in their surroundings because the childminder sets clear and consistent boundaries, providing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them with continuity. Children are learning to share and take turns. They are learning the difference between right and wrong as the childminder gives simple explanations as to the behaviour she wants but also gives lots of praise and encouragement to promote children's self esteem. Good working relationships with parents and carers contribute to children's care and well being. The childminder works in partnership to provide children with continuity and consistency of care. Her portfolio provides lots of information about her childminding practice and she has good systems in place for sharing information and including parents and carers in the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being minded by an experienced and enthusiastic childcare practitioner who demonstrates a good understanding of the National Standards and the conditions of her registration. As a Lewisham Network childminder she has access to extra support and training and has attended lots of courses in order to keep her childcare knowledge updated. The

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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 childminder's home is well organised so that children can play safely and take part in a wide range of stimulating activities which promote their learning and development. Children receive very good adult support. All required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the provision is in place and includes an attendance register, accident and medication records, child record forms and consent forms. Children's records are confidentially maintained. Although the childminder has devised several policies and procedures promoting her childminding practice, some of the polices in place are rather sparse. 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 improve fire safety precautions by ensuring a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen and to request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice. The childminder has improved fire safety precautions by taking advice from the fire safety officer and by fixing a fire blanket to an appropriate position in the kitchen. She has obtained written consent from parents and carers allowing her to seek medical treatment for children in an emergency.

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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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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): • extend the information contained in the child protection policy in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures

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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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