Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271267 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Paula Jane Hayhow 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 husband, two adult children and her mother-in-law in the London Borough of Lambeth SW16. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden and a park available for outdoor play. The local schools and shops are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, four of whom are under five years and all but one attends on a part-time basis. The childminder can attend the local toddler group with children of an appropriate age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained home. Their health is promoted as the childminder encourages good hygiene procedures, such as washing hands after using the bathroom or nappy changing and before meal times. They are learning to use tissues correctly

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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 and the youngest children routinely remember to put their hands over their mouths when coughing. The childminder makes sure that toys and equipment are clean and sprays the work surfaces regularly with anti-bacterial sprays, thus preventing the spread of infection. Children are nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. They are offered nutritious meals and snacks which the childminder prepares using a balanced range of fresh ingredients such as fruit, vegetables and unprocessed foods which are low in salt, fats and sugar. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements with parents and keeps an accurate record of these so that any particular needs of the children can be met. However, the children's health could be affected as permission for the seeking of

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Helping children to be healthy

emergency treatment is not sought and this could possibly lead to valuable time being lost in a medical situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to the park, where the children play on the climbing apparatus, slide, swings, trees or enjoy co-operative games such as football and cricket. On inclement days the childminder encourages finer motor movements such as using the posting boxes, threading and table computers. They also have opportunities to dance, practise yoga or have running races. These activities develop children's hand and eye co-ordination and promote control of their bodies thus developing their physical abilities.

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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 welcoming and generally safe environment and are therefore able to move around independently and freely. The childminder is aware of risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these, such as making the children aware of the importance of road safety and ‘stranger danger'. She discusses with them the fire evacuation procedure ensuring that they know what action to take should there be a fire. Children's safety is further promoted on visits, as the childminder has a sound outings procedure where she checks for potential hazards, takes first aid items in case of an accident and her mobile telephone which contains all contact numbers. However, children's safety is affected as the children have access to a low-level glass table and the fire blanket is not fitted in line with the manufacturer's direction which could hamper a quick response in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use safe, good quality resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the children attending. Children are able to independently select activities from a wide range of toys and equipment because the childminder has arranged them on low-level shelves and toys containers for easy availability. She regularly checks her resources and items broken or damaged are either mended or discarded. The children's welfare is promoted further because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and would know what action to take should she have a concern. However, current information relating to the new child protection board has not been acquired and this could possibly lead to a delay in contacting the appropriate agency.

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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 good. Children are settled and interested in their play. The childminder is particularly good at responding to all the children's responses and queries. She develops their learning through their play, for example, exploring their senses when they play barefooted on trees or by using sound resources to improve their listening skills, such as loud and soft shakers and ‘touch and effect’ games. They are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment through the use of a wide range of activities that cover all areas of play. These include encouraging the children to appreciate nature and small creatures though discussion and using resources such as binoculars and magnifying glasses. The childminder is a Montessori teacher and uses techniques from this philosophy and her good knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children’s play area is set up to enable the children to confidently choose their own toys from a plentiful stock. These are readily accessible which promotes the children’s learning and play as they are positioned low for easy reaching. The children relate well to the childminder, coming to her for a cuddle or support, knowing she will help them and intercede when necessary to aid social contact. For example, the childminder ensures that there are sufficient play materials for all to participate, such as posting boxes and puzzles which have varying degree of challenge. She supports the children with suggestions of what to look for and gives ready praise for their achievement. The childminder knows the differing areas of development she is working on with her children such as colour recognition, early writing skills, and perseverance of an activity, as well as developing their independence skills. They are encouraged in their self help abilities by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning how to use zips, buttons and manage their own personal needs such as collecting and putting on their own coats, helping to take their nappy off or carrying out homely activities like cooking or packing away toys before getting another activity out. This ensures that all children spend their time purposefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and their particular needs are clearly identified and documented at placement time. There is a settling-in procedure which is carried out in a gentle way, at the child’s own pace, by slowly increasing their time with the childminder. This enables both parents and children to become familiar with the childminder's practice, home and family. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents keeping them well informed of their child's progress through the use of daily dialogue and informative portfolio folders. These include the childminder's qualification and working documents such as policy and procedure statements as to how she will organise and keep the children safe, healthy and content.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is good and they are learning about playing together, sharing and turn-taking, for example, taking turns when playing games such as colour sorting where the older children are very tolerant of the younger children joining in. The childminder has a good understanding of behaviour management and appropriate methods to use. She has been on additional training and responds calmly to any issue with clear explanations so children understand what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder appreciates the importance of providing a range of activities and resources to promote positive images of society and increase children’s understanding of this. The children are learning about their local community on routine outings to the local shops, library and park

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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 to feed the ducks. Festivals such as Chinese New Year are celebrated and the childminder has organised visits to the local church and temple. Any specific needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are recognised and sensitively met. Any information or special requirements, such as sign language training are undertaken. The childminder ensures she discusses thoroughly with parents all issues and consistent communication and information exchange takes place. All children are included in activities and have free access to the toys.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. The childminder organises all aspects of her work well, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. The childminder has organised the play rooms to facilitate children's learning, for example, the toys are easily accessible and children know where to find their favourite activity. This enables them to initiate their own play and learning. The children's particular needs are met by the childminder through her procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information about them, such any specific allergy they may have.

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Organisation

The children's emotional and physical development is well promoted through the childminder's planning and organisation of her daily work. She ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities and opportunities and that all areas of development are catered for. The childminder has improved her practice by completing relevant training courses such as first aid, inclusion, sign language, speech and language and managing behaviour. She has devised various policies and procedures to refer to should she have a concern. All persons living on her premises or who work as assistants have been checked for their suitability and the childminder is vigilant in ensuring that she supervises the children at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the previous inspection to ensure that toys and play materials reflect positive images of equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed her toy provision to include books, dolls and figures to reflect positive images of the society we live in. These measures further improve the children's knowledge, understanding and welfare.

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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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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

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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 that permission for seeking emergency advice or treatment is in place • minimise hazards to children on the premises with reference to the fire blanket being fitted in line with the manufacturer's directions, the glass table and ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

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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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