Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259190 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Hurst 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 and three adult children. They live in a house set in a residential area of West Wickham, within the London borough of Bromley, and in walking distance of local schools, shops, parks and transport links, including main line station. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and has currently got four children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes children to the local parks and recreation grounds, has contact with other childminders and attends parent/carer and toddler play groups on a regular basis.

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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 enjoy a healthy and varied diet, which ensures children are able to thrive. The food the childminder gives to the children is freshly prepared, nutritious and complies to all children's dietary requirements. Children are encouraged by the childminder to try different foods and fruit is offered to the children throughout the day. Children are kept safe from cross infection and contamination, as each child has their own colour coded hand flannel to use whilst in the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures she has relevant training to be able to administer Epi-Pens to children in her care. The childminder liaises with parents of the children to ensure she has all the relevant information regarding allergies and the foods that they can and cannot have. Children's health is further protected as the childminder has consent forms in place to ensure she can seek emergency medical treatment for the children in her care. Children are able to gain control over their bodies as the childminder ensures they have access to physical activities. Children are able to visit the local park which they walk to and have access to the childminder's secure garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe from harm, as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to protect them. Children are cared for in a warm, child centred house where their needs are catered for. The childminder provides a comfortable environment for children in her care, with resources arranged in the dining room enabling children to make independent choice of what to play with. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate, which protects the children should they hurt themselves. Children's safety is further enhanced as the childminder teaches them the importance of road and personal safety. However, the childminder does not carry out written risk assessments when taking the children on outings. This hinders the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place to help protect children in the case of a fire, including smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children are all fully aware of who they need to call in case of an emergency and that they need to get out of the house if there is a fire. Children play with safe toys as the childminder regularly checks these to ensure they do not have any broken parts. All toys that the children have access to comply with safety standards, which protects the children from harm. The childminder is aware of procedures for safeguarding children, this further protects children from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of resources and activities, as the childminder is aware of the needs of the children in her care. The childminder talks to the children at a level they will understand. This allows the children to be treated as individuals. The children are happy, settled and comfortable in their environment and confidently seek the support of the childminder for comfort and cuddles. They benefit from the childminder's loving and caring approach to their welfare and her interaction and involvement in activities.

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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 Children make regular use of the local toddlers groups, where they are able to socialise with others and extend their learning experiences. Children also visit local parks where they can enhance their physical development. The childminder ensures she has permissions in place to be able to take the children to these places. Children enjoy well thought out activities that allow their independence to grow. Children are able to self select toys as they are stored in easy accessible containers within reach of where they play. Children's self-esteem is fostered as the childminder displays the children's work and pictures around her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is a good role model to the children as she shows them how to behave. Children are well behaved as they receive a lot of praise for their positive behaviour. The childminder explains to the children the differences between right and wrong, and why they shouldn't do the undesired behaviour. Children are encouraged to share toys and the childminder explains to the children the importance of sharing. Although the childminder does not have children in her care that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has a good understanding of their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to access a diverse environment as the childminder has a good range of resources which reflect diversity and people with disabilities. The childminder looks at Christian festivals and festivals from other cultures. The childminder also teaches the children about her own religion and takes them to her local Greek church to show them the differences in their cultures. The childminder has built concrete relationships with parents of the children in her care. This benefits the children as it ensures continuity of care. The childminder ensures she feeds back to the parents daily, and follows the children's routines. In discussion with a parent, she feels the care the childminder gives the children is fantastic and she can not fault the love and attention she gives the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures she has all the relevant documents in place to keep the children safe from harm. Children are protected as they are not left alone with non vetted people. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to protect children from non vetted people, and gets people to come in when minded children are not present. The childminder also ensures all members of her household are appropriately vetted. The childminder attends regular training sessions, which further enhances her understanding of the needs of the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures she has permissions for children to receive emergency medical treatment, this further protects them. The childminder ensures confidentiality of children's records and all records are well maintained, effectively organised and carefully stored. Registers are up to date with details of children's times of arrival and departure, to further protect children in the setting. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to carry out two recommendations. The first, to supplement the range of toys and books including those representing and promoting equal opportunities. The childminder has a good range of resources that promote equality and diversity

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Improvements 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 with the children. The second, to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is fitted appropriately in the kitchen. The childminder has fitted an approved fire blanket to the wall in the kitchen.

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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 written risk assessments are carried out for outings

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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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