Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282094 Unique Reference Number 11 March 2008 Inspection date Carol Newman 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 2004. She lives with her family in Colliers Wood in the London Borough of Merton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. For example, children wash their hands after outdoor play and before meals. There are effective

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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 procedures in place to minimise the risk of infection. Children who are contagious do not attend thus preventing the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to obtain prior written parental consent to administer medication, to ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder has all the necessary paperwork in place to record medication that is administered, accidents and existing injuries. However, there has been nothing to record since registration. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she requests written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals, either provided by parents or the childminder, which meet special dietary needs and ensure children remain healthy. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and children confidently help themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a worthwhile range of activities that help to promote their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a suitably organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are stimulating and fitting for the children's stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from some safety measures, for example safety gates, obscured electrical sockets, an effective emergency evacuation procedure and a secure outdoor play area. However, some cleaning materials are within the children's reach in the bathroom, the fire blanket is not suitably sited in the kitchen and the back door fire exit was obstructed at inspection. These hazards compromise the children's safety. In addition, the emergency evacuation procedure is not regularly practised so that children become familiar with the procedure to follow, should they need to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good routines and gentle reminders help children learn about safety when away from the setting. For example, children hold the childminder's hands and learn how to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very sound knowledge of safeguarding children issues. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. For example, the childminder reads stories and sings nursery rhymes with the children to develop their language skills. Children practise cutting and colouring and construct with resources, such as Lego, Duplo and giant beads.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imagination well when they engage in role play and dressing up. They have free access to resources, such as the toy computer, cars and dolls. Children relate very well to the childminder and to each other. They confidently approach the childminder for support, indicating good trusting relationships are built.

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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. Children learn to appreciate and value each other’s cultures by observing similarities and differences. The childminder ensures she knows about children's needs with regard to religion or culture so that she can help the child acknowledge their own culture and see it as important.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not have experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, all children progress well due to her encouragement and support. She willingly discusses any concerns with parents to ensure the children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good explanation helps children learn right from wrong and teaches self-discipline. The childminder manages children’s behaviour through strategies that are appropriate to the age and understanding of the child. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder continuously evaluates her provision to develop the quality of care she offers. Although she has not accessed further training, she familiarises herself with current guidance so that she can provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The childminder discusses her provision before minding starts. However, she has not devised a range of policies and procedures, about her childminding service, to share with parents.

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Organisation

All children receive good support from the childminder. She enjoys their company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident. All mandatory records are in place. This promotes the safe and effective management of the setting in order to support children's welfare.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to devise and implement: a confidential recording system for recording child protection concerns; a recording system for medication, and records for children's times of arrival and departure; a written evacuation plan and a sick children's policy. All recording systems are in place. However, the childminder has no written policies.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In addition, the childminder agreed to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to provide a first aid box, the contents of which are complete, checked frequently and replaced as necessary. Written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is in place and the first aid box is suitably stocked.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Also, the childminder agreed to improve fire safety precautions by maintaining a smoke alarm on the first floor in working order. Smoke alarms are maintained in working order on both floors.

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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 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): • ensure all cleaning materials are stored out of reach of the children • ensure the emergency evacuation procedure is regularly practised so that children become familiar with the procedure to follow • ensure the fire blanket is suitably sited in the kitchen and that fire exits are unobstructed at all times • devise a range of policies and procedures about the childminding service and share these with parents.

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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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