Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358410 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Elizabeth Anne Coffey 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered to care for children since 2007. She lives with her two children aged five years and 13 years. They live in a two bed roomed ground floor flat in Downham, in the London borough of Lewisham. The garden is not used for childminding purposes. Children are taken to parks and outdoor play areas on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years and is currently minding two children under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder speaks English and French.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in daily physical play. They visit parks and play areas where they can run about and play on the swings, slides and climbing apparatus. In the home, younger children

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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 have ample opportunities to practise their early walking and mobility skills under the childminder's careful guidance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a balanced nutritious diet which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes care to identify individual children's dietary needs and likes and dislikes. She is happy to provide meals for children or will prepare and serve meals which the parents provide, if they prefer. Children can eat at low table and chairs, in a highchair or on the childminder's lap. The childminder has attended food hygiene training which helps to underpin her knowledge and practice with regards to safe food and drink storage and preparation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Satisfactory hygiene practices help to promote the health of children and minimise cross infection. There are suitable nappy changing facilities in place and the childminder ensures that all bodily fluids are dealt with in a safe hygienic manner. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands when they come indoors after using the toilet and before mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate record keeping systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication, should the need arise. Written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is held. A policy on the exclusion of sick children is available. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play mainly in the living room. This is suitably furnished with a range of seating and soft furnishings which help children feel relaxed and at home. The main bedroom is used if children need a sleep and there is a travel cot or floor mattress available for this purpose. Security measures are sound. There is an intercom system in place for when visitors arrive at the main communal entrance and the childminder ensures that her own front door is locked after any arrival or departure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from close adult supervision, as they select from a range of toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder takes care to ensure children play with toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development. This means ensuring that older children have access to more complicated puzzles and games whilst at the same time ensuring that younger children are not at risk of hazards such as toys with detachable parts which they could choke on. Children learn how to behave in a manner that ensures their own and other's safety. For example, the childminder reminds children not to push past each other in case they knock each other over.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to identify and deal with most hazards in the home. This includes use of stair gates, socket covers and appropriate storage of hazardous materials. Suitable fire fighting and detection equipment is in place. However, the childminder has not devised or practised an emergency evacuation plan. This compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm by the childminder who has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and understands her responsibilities in following correct procedures in the event of a concern. Appropriate contact numbers in the event of a child protection concern are readily available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They play well together and learn to form friendships from an early age. Children have a good relationship with the childminder. They approach her with ease and hold their arms out for a cuddle or to be lifted up. The childminder immediately responds and talks affectionately to the children as she cuddles and carries them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy sharing story books with the childminder and they are learning how to handle books and turn the pages from an early age. They snuggle up to the childminder as she reads a story to them and they attempt to imitate her as she names the characters in the book. The childminder sits on the floor and joins in their play, demonstrating to them how to push, twirl or spin the dials and handles on their interactive toys. The children watch mesmerised for a few seconds and then eagerly attempt it themselves laughing and clapping with glee as the lid opens to reveal a toy dog.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Furniture is arranged to encourage them to take their early tentative steps and the childminder gently coaxes them in their attempts. Children are rewarded with praise and applause when they succeed and smile happily at the attention they receive. This increases children's confidence and encourages them to develop new skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes good use of local community resources. She takes the children to the library and to toddler groups where they have opportunities to join in a wider range of activities and to mix with other young children. This helps to develop their self esteem and social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are all treated with equal concern and their individual needs well known and met. They are learning about diversity through their access to resources which reflect positive images such as dolls and books. The childminder chats to the children in English and French which means they are learning to understand both languages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children currently attending with learning disabilities and/or difficulties. The childminder has no previous experience in this area. However, she understands the importance of working closely with parents and other agencies to help and support children to ensure their needs are met. The childminder has completed basic training in Makaton and is keen to develop her ability to communicate with the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they are learning to be kind and considerate to their peers. They are routinely praised and encouraged in all they do, which increases their confidence and self-esteem. They are learning to negotiate and to give and take, for example, children who both want the same toy are encouraged to each take a turn. This helps develop children's awareness of fairness and cooperation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that parents are provided with appropriate information about the service she provides. Written policies and procedures and the complaints log are shared with parents. Parents are given verbal feedback, when they collect their child, about how their day has been. The childminder plans to develop a system where she will keep a daily written record

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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 for parents of younger children. This would include details about their sleep, feed and nappy changing. This will help to ensure that parents are fully informed about their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her daily routine around the children's needs. The day is well planned to accommodate journeys to and from school and to allow the children adequate time to rest, play and eat. They enjoy an environment where they receive appropriate adult support to help them feel secure and confident

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced. She is proactive in attending training and has completed several short courses that help to complement the mandatory childminding induction course. This helps to underpin her knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn and how best to meet their needs. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities as a registered childminder. Required documentation and systems for recording are in place. Information is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner.

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Organisation

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

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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

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 satisfactory. 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): • devise and practise a fire evacuation plan • improve information to parents about their child's experiences and how their needs have been met whilst in the childminder's care

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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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