Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269865 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Jeannette Waring 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 lives, with her husband and two teenage children, in a three bedroom semi-detached house in Bromley. The house is situated in a residential street close to local schools, pre-schools and shops, and Bromley South railway station is a 15 minute walk away. Children have use of the whole of the ground floor of the house, together with an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003 and may care for a maximum of three children under eight at any one time. She is currently caring for three children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. The childminder's home is kept spotlessly clean and arrangements, such as the removal of outdoor shoes in the house, ensure that the youngest children can play safely on the floors.

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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 The childminder is able to care for children who have an accident or become unwell because she ensures that her first aid qualification is regularly updated and records all accidents and any medication parents ask her to administer in the NCMA record book. However, written permission for emergency medical treatment in not in place and although a first aid box is provided some required items are currently missing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of space to play both indoors and in the garden and, in addition, the childminder often takes children to local parks where they have opportunities for exercise in the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of a healthy diet for young children. She makes sure that she discusses children's dietary requirements with parents so that she is aware of any allergies or cultural restrictions. She provides children with healthy, balanced meals and is also happy to serve food provided by parents, if this is their preference.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm, welcoming and comfortable family home. Children are able to use the whole of the ground floor of the house and to move freely between rooms, developing their independence. This is because the childminder has carried out a careful risk assessment and provided a safe and secure environment for children. A suitable range of good quality toys are safely stored in a large toy basket in the kitchen-diner and children enjoy selecting toys from the basket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect because she is aware of the signs that a child may be at risk, and is aware that she has a responsibility to refer any concerns she may have. However, she is not fully aware of the correct local procedures for making such a referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. Even children who have been with her only a short time appear to be settled and secure. Children relate well to the childminder who is sensitive to their individual needs. She spends time playing with the children and is skilled at engaging their interest. During the visit children asked the childminder to read to them and they greatly enjoyed the story which the childminder skilfully made into an interactive session. She encouraged children to find things in the pictures, she asked them to recall what had just happened and predict what may happen next, and then she made links between what was happening in the story and what the children did. As a result children are developing an interest in books and have good opportunities to develop their language and communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play together well and enjoy the toys provided, they are confident within the childminder's home and enjoy moving from room to room with their toys as they play. The childminder plans her days around the needs of the children in her care, making sure that those who need to sleep or rest have time to do so. She plans outings, such as trips to Baby Bounce at the local library or to the local park and children also benefit from visits to other childminders with young children.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder makes sure that she discusses children's individual family background, including their religion, language and culture, with parents so that she is able to provide them with good quality care according to their individual needs. The childminder would welcome children with disabilities and or/learning difficulties and would work with parents to provide appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They are learning right from wrong because the childminder has simple rules which the children understand. Young children are learning to share and to take turns and when necessary the childminder steps in and sensitively diffuses any minor squabbles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes sure that children have good continuity of care by spending time each day talking to parents about children's day and discussing any specific needs. Contracts and consent forms are in place and effectively underpin the childminder's partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is very well organised and this contributes well to children's health, safety and well-being. Children are protected from un-vetted people because the childminder ensures children are always under her close personal supervision, and she makes sure that all members of her household complete all required checks.

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Organisation

The childminder's home is very well organised for childminding and provides children with a safe and welcoming place to play. Because the childminder has regular routines in place and organises her day around children's needs they feel settled and secure in her care. She makes sure that she stays within the terms of her registration at all times and an increase in numbers was agreed at this inspection to allow for flexibility.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of the requirements of the National Standards and associated regulations. Most of the required documentation is in place, well maintained and securely stored. However, the daily register does not show the exact times of minding for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has provided a small range of books and toys which reflect the wider community so that all children feel valued and begin to gain an understanding of the society they live in.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation was also set at the last inspection to obtain written permission for emergency medical treatment for children, this has yet to be addressed and a further recommendation has been set.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • make sure that parents provide written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children and ensure that the contents of the first aid box are regularly checked and replenished • up-date knowledge of child protection issues and make sure that the child protection procedures comply with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) • make sure that the daily register shows days and hours of attendance for all children.

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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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