Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269139 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Sarah Morfett 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 two children aged 4 and ten years in Sidcup, in the London borough of Bexley. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children part time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a hamster.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and hygienic environment because childminder follows good routines. For example, she wipes toys and equipment over regularly and uses anti-bacterial sprays to remove germs. Children know they must wash their hands after going to the toilet and before

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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 eating and they are reminded to put their hands over their mouths when they sneeze or cough to stop the spread of germs. An effective sickness policy ensures that children stay at home when they are infectious. Therefore, the risk of cross infection is reduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Accident records are in place and good details are recorded and shared with parents, confidentiality is maintained. A system to record medication is used and some parents have given written permission to administer medication. However, not all of them have given permission therefore, the procedure is not fully secure. There is a comprehensive range of written permissions for other procedures obtained from the parents. This means children's health and well being is protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an active lifestyle. Each day they walk to and from the school with the childminder and enjoy trips out to the local park. During the holidays they go to places of interest such as the zoo or a museum. Trips to local toddler groups and baby gyms mean they use a wide variety of equipment which challenges them physically. Children are provided with packed lunches from home. The childminder ensure they are stored and reheated appropriately. She asks the parents to provide a healthy balanced diet to promote children's understanding of what food is good for them. They have access to the fruit bowl if they are hungry and have regular drinks to ensure they kept hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home, which is warm and comfortable. They move around easily and have suitable access to the resources. They are confident to ask for what they wish to play with and have access to a child-friendly outside play area which the childminder checks before they go out. There is a good range of furniture and equipment which meets their needs and is well maintained. Appropriate steps are taken to minimise hazards with in the home. For example, regular risk assessments are carried out and a well developed emergency evacuation procedure is in place and regularly practised by the children. The fire blanket is in an accessible position although not securely attached. Therefore, it may not be effective in an emergency. Children follow secure safety procedure when they are out. They know they must hold hands as they walk along the road and wait for the green man at the crossing. Therefore, they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed a policy stating her duty to protect the children she looks after. She demonstrates a sound understanding of what she would do if there was a concern about a minded child and keeps a range of paperwork to back up her knowledge including useful contact telephone numbers. Therefore, children's welfare is safeguarded

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's. They confidently help themselves from a good range of toys and resources which they can easily reach, are bright and inviting. These are age appropriate and help the children to develop through play. For example, they can choose from role play, dolls, dressing up cars garages trains and construction and have a good range of books and puzzles. Therefore, children's development is suitably promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from good interaction with the childminder. As they play the childminder talks to them about what they are doing asking questions which make then think. For example, she

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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 asks a child 'who is that?' and they have a discussion about the child's picture of 'daddy' taking about his spiky hair. The conversation leads on to other aspects of family life. This means that children develop a sense of belonging as they can talk about things that are familiar.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During holiday periods the children enjoy many trips out, for example, during this half term week the children visited a zoo, and on their return they discuss and draw pictures of their favourite animals. They are supported well to become competent learners. The children really enjoy playing with the television game which has age appropriate programmes for them to complete. The children spend a considerable amount of time concentrating on matching numbers and colours. Therefore, children make good progress within all the areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern by the childminder. She records a wide variety of details about them when they first start including medical needs, dietary requirements, food allergies and likes and dislikes. Therefore she is able to meet their individual needs according to parent’s wishes. There is a good range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity. For example, as children play with play people, look at books and do puzzles they see a variety of other cultures. Activities such as cooking food from other countries to celebrate festivals means that children learn to value people’s differences. The childminder has a positive attitude to including children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Therefore, children gain a wider view of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are made to feel valued as they receive lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements. Age appropriate strategies are used to manage their behaviour and the childminder sets clear boundaries so children know what is expected of them. Parents enter into firm written agreements with the childminder to ensure that their children are thoroughly protected. The childminder has devised a good range of policies and procedures which underpin her good practice. These clearly state her aims and objectives for the children in her care and keep parents fully informed of the service provided. Parents receive regular feedback about children's well-being and progress. The childminder takes time to share children's experiences with them by sending photos of recent outing via email to them. Therefore, they are fully involved in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good support from the childminder. She holds appropriate qualifications and is currently studying for an NVQ 3 in childcare. Therefore, children's care learning and play opportunities are extended very well. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping herself up-to-date with current legislation and attends courses such as; child protection and first aid to ensure that she can fully safeguard children. The environment is well-organised and children move around freely and with confidence. All adults within the home are suitably vetted.

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Organisation

All the required paperwork is in place. For example, the registration certificate is displayed and a daily attendance register is kept noting children's arrival and departure times. The childminder understands her duty to investigate any complaints made to her in writing under the National Standards and provides parents with a procedure to follow. The childminder understands that certain paperwork needs to be kept for set periods of time. All required paperwork is maintained

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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 to a good standard, kept confidential and underpins the smooth running of the service. Overall, 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 was asked to attach the fire blanket to an accessible position in the kitchen. The fire blanket was moved and made more accessible. However, in its current position it would not be fully effective in an emergency, therefore, it remains a recommendation at this inspection. The childminder was also asked to update her knowledge of child protection issues. She has attended a local authority course and has a good knowledge of safeguarding the children in her care.

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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 the system to administer and record medication is fully secure • ensure the fire blanket is effective in an emergency

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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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