Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272977 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Silvia Richardson 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 children aged eight and 14 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a flat close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged between one and six years, on a daily, sessional and part-time basis, including before/after school. The family have no pets. The childminder has qualifications in early years child care and childminding practice and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and comfortable environment, promoting their health and welfare. The childminder keeps appropriate records, supporting children's health needs. Children are developing good personal hygiene habits, because the childminder encourages hand washing routines, especially before handling food and after using the bathroom. Children understand

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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 how to protect their health, such as washing fruit before eating it, because the childminder talks to children about health issues. Children know that water is good for them and they talk about sugary drinks being bad for their teeth. The childminder ensures children are well nourished and they engage in discussion about foods which are good for them and those which are less beneficial to their health. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise, helping them to be healthy. They make good use of the local park and outside play equipment, so that they are active and acquire physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are generally kept safe and protected in the setting, because some good measures are in place, such as use of safety gates, across the stairs and kitchen doorway. However, fire safety precautions are not fully protecting children, because the first floor smoke alarm is not in working order. Children are kept safe and protected should safeguarding concerns arise, because the childminder has completed some training, knows what to look out for and how to record and report to care services, if worried about a child. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe when out and about, because the childminder talks to children about 'stranger danger'. They understand the sequence and meaning of traffic lights and know when to wait and cross roads together. Children are learning about safety rules in the setting, such as walking and not running around inside. Rules for staying safe are displayed on the wall and the children often

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

refer to these, reinforcing their understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled, because they have a good range and variety of toys and play materials, from which they make choices. They play confidently and independently with creative resources such as paint and clean up after themselves too. The living room is well arranged, so that children can spread out to play and also sit and relax with books. The childminder supports the children well, talking to them about what they are doing and helping them with activities, such as spelling out their name on the play board. Wall posters and pictures of letters and numbers are attractively displayed and children refer to these when playing, supporting their learning. Children enjoy a good range and balance of activities both inside and out, visiting the library, parks, shops, market and community groups, promoting their all round development. Children enjoy consistent and familiar routines, promoting their welfare and wellbeing and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The setting reflects diversity and the childminder supports children well in developing a positive identity. Books, stories and toys, portray positive images, so that children learn about differences. Pictures displayed on the walls, encourage children to be respectful of others, and rules for being sociable are also displayed and children talk about these, promoting their learning. Children play co-operatively, sitting together at activities, playing well together and enjoying each others company. The childminder has a warm and calm approach to children and provides a good role model, so that they are confident and settled. Children make a positive contribution, through tidying up after themselves. The childminder creates a welcoming environment for parents and provides some good written information about childminding services, so that they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are well informed. Parental agreement is in place, for children to take part in a range of activities, promoting strong partnerships.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is properly vetted, ensuring her suitability to work with children. The childminder is qualified and experienced in childcare and early education, enhancing her childminding practice. The childminder is always keen to take up training opportunities, provided by Southwark early years, to continually improve quality and standards of care. The childminding service is known as Heritage Kidz Kingdom and this is reflected in the polices and procedures for the setting. These, together with childminding records, are supporting and promoting children's care, learning and welfare needs. The home is well arranged, so that children relax and play confidently. Children help themselves to resources, because these are well organised and sorted into sets. There is sufficient space for children to sit together for meals and activities and the schedule is balanced and well organised, so that children enjoy opportunities for outside play

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Organisation

and visits. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder ensures early learning toys and equipment promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has also requested written permission from parents, for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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): • improve fire safety precautions, making sure all smoke alarms are maintained in working order

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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 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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