Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY304762 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four years old. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of New Addington. All of the house is used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play. The family has a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old, and there is currently one child on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder follows careful procedures that help protect children from the risk of cross-infection, such as using gloves and a mat when changing nappies, providing separate

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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 towels and flannels, and keeping kitchen and bathroom surfaces clean. Children learn about simple good hygiene practices when the childminder makes sure they wash their hands before they eat and after they use the toilet. They benefit from regular meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs. The childminder prepares and provides feeds for babies according to parents' wishes and children's individual routines, and encourages older children to have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, for instance by offering dried or fresh fruit at snack time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. They go on walks to the shops, play on the equipment in the garden, or have opportunities to practise physical skills safely at a soft play area. Their health is protected because the childminder keeps records about their health needs, any accidents they have and any medicine they need to be given. She maintains a current first aid certificate which ensures she can act appropriately in the event of a minor accident or injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and well maintained home with facilities to meet their needs. They have access to a good range of toys, play materials and resources for both indoor and outdoor play, which help create a welcoming and stimulating environment. The childminder ensures that resources are suitable for children's age and stage of development, keeps them clean and checks them regularly for damage. This helps ensure children can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential hazards; for instance, she restricts access to the stairs with safety gates, covers exposed electrical sockets and keeps cleaning products in a locked cupboard. The childminder is vigilant about supervising children at all times in the home and on outings. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe when the childminder talks to them about road safety or what to do if they get lost, and when they take part in regular fire evacuation practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended local training and has a clear awareness of possible signs of child abuse or neglect. She keeps information about local safeguarding children procedures accessible and knows what steps to take if she is worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and settled in the childminder's care. She is warm and attentive towards them, giving lots of cuddles and reassurance and responding sensitively to their individual preferences and needs. Children show pleasure when the childminder sits and plays with them, or when they join in with a favourite game, knocking down a tower of bricks. The childminder gets to know children well. She uses the Birth to three matters framework to make regular observations of children and compiles these, together with photographs, into an individual 'learning story'. This provides a very valuable record for parents of their child's progress and achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a good variety of activities and experiences that support their development and learning. They enjoy regular outings to local childminding groups where they can experience

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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 different resources and socialise with other children; to the local library to choose books; or to tumble and climb at a soft play centre. At the childminder's home, they choose from a wide selection of resources as well as joining in with planned activities such as making cakes, art and craft, water or sand play in the garden, bubble blowing or splashing in the pool in warm weather.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder makes sure she is familiar with children's needs before they start, through discussion with parents and by using an initial questionnaire. She plans activities so that children of different ages can take part, for instance providing brushes for older children to use with the paints, while younger children enjoy making hand prints. There are some books and puzzles available that reflect positive images of the wider community and the childminder answers children's questions openly. However, there is not currently a full range of resources and activities available that help children learn to value diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a calm and gentle approach. She shows a good understanding of how to manage children's behaviour in a manner that promotes their welfare and development, and she ensures that children are clear about the rules and expectations. She works closely with parents on all aspects of children's care and children benefit from good relationships between their parents and the childminder. Effective two-way communication through daily discussion and a written contact book ensures that children experience consistent care. Feedback from parents confirms that they are very happy with the care the childminder provides for their child and her communication with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed required childminding training and makes very good use of local courses to continually update her knowledge and skills. She keeps all of the required documentation that promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of minded children as well as a wide range of additional policies, procedures and information for parents. Attendance records are in place and meet legal requirements, although in instances when children are collected and dropped off at their own home this is not always clearly indicated.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home effectively around children's needs. There is space to play and children can easily access toys and play materials. The day is planned to ensure children are well occupied and stimulated as well as having regular times to sleep and eat, according to their individual routines. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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): • extend the range of activities and resources available that encourage children to develop a positive view of diversity • improve the clarity of the attendance register in relation to instances when children are collected from or returned to their own home

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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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