Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275090 Unique Reference Number 12 February 2008 Inspection date Paula Jane Hayhow / Susan Ennis 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years in Tooting, South West London. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding together with two bedrooms upstairs used for sleeping and play. There is a fully enclosed garden and three parks 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 two children at any one time and is currently minding one child under a year on a full-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean home. The childminder cleans the premises and toys regularly to prevent the spread of infection. The children's health is effectively promoted as there are clear hygiene procedures in place such as washing hands after nappy changing and cleansing surfaces with anti-bacterial sprays before preparing meals. Children's dietary needs

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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 are met as the childminder discusses individual requirements with parents and keeps a record of these, ensuring that these are observed. Parents wishing to use their own milk are accommodated. Children are nourished as parents provide the children's dietary needs at present but the minder has a sound understanding of the foods she would offer once children are weaned off the bottle. She would offer a balanced diet with foods low in salt, fat and sugar thus helping to promote their growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. They enjoy walks in the fresh air to the park, to feed the ducks The park is equipped with climbing apparatus, slides, roundabouts, swings and space to play football. The children can stretch their arms and are beginning to push the swaying mobiles and they love listening to the sound machines and rattles. This is enabling them to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. However, children's health could be affected as the first aid box does not contain all items recommended on the first aid training and permissions for the seeking of emergency treatment or advice is not sought and this could lead to a possible delay in treating a child effectively in the event of an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and generally safe environment and are therefore able to move around freely. The childminder is aware of most risks, both in and out of the house, and has taken steps to minimise these. She inspects the premises before the children arrive and is vigilant during the day regularly checking for potential hazards. However, children's safety could be affected as they have access to hazardous items in the bathroom cupboard, the water butt and debris in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to select activities from a range of quality toys and equipment. The childminder sets out the children's play resources so that they are easy to reach. The children use safe play resources and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are interesting and appropriate for the age of the children attending. She sensitively supervises the children’s choice of toys and activities, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate. The children's welfare is further promoted because the childminder has an effective understanding of child protection procedures and would know what action to take should she have a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, settled and interested in their play. The children have a good relationship with the childminder who uses her knowledge of child development to adapt activities so that they are appropriate and promote children’s learning such as developing their understanding of themselves through sensory activities such as talking to them, sound games and feeling soft toys. Older children have opportunities to play board games, word games and imaginative scenarios such as being teachers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages the children's learning by responding to what is happening and making this a learning situation, for example, making mud pies, writing poems, or developing their understanding of using libraries and reference books on a favourite subject. The younger children's independence is fostered as they learn how to hold the minders fingers, make eye contact and smile and giggle at the interaction.

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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 satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals and the childminder makes sure that she is aware of any individual needs and is able to meet these. The childminder has thought through her behaviour management procedure and uses appropriate methods such as distracting and talking soothingly with her present placement. She knows their ways of responding and interacts appropriately to meet their particular stage of development. For example, she knows when they are getting tired needing a sleep or when they need a securing cuddle when an unexpected visitor arrives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed about how their children are progressing and developing through daily dialogue. The childminder ensures that she is aware of any particular needs at placement time and is able to meet these. 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. However, children's range of activities and toys with regard to reflecting equal opportunities is limited thus restricting their full understanding and knowledge of this subject. The children are learning about their local community on outings to local parks, library, school and shops. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have any learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder has thought through how she will provide care which includes them in the life of the home through discussing their needs with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, children's needs are met. The childminder organises most of her work effectively, helping the children to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. The toy provision is set out for them and routinely changed to add variety and interest. The individual needs of the children are generally met by the childminder through her procedures to ensure that she has all relevant information on the children which is regularly discussed and reviewed with the parents. Parents' wishes relating to the care of their children are abided by at all times such as supporting visits during the day to feed the children. However, children's safety and well-being is affected as the new regulation publication relating to childminding is not in place and the registration certificate is not being displayed for parents to view. These issues could possibly cause misunderstandings between the parent and the childminder.

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Organisation

The children's emotional and physical development is promoted through the childminder's organisation of her daily work, which ensures that children are offered a range of interesting activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate in. All persons living on her premises 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 make the drain in the garden safe and ensure dangerous plants and barbeque equipment are inaccessible to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has removed the dangerous plants and the barbeque has been removed to the locked shed. Due to a new extension being built the drain has been removed. These measures further improve the children's safety, welfare and security.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency advice or treatment and ensure that the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • ensure that hazards to children on the premises are minimised with reference to the hazardous items in the bathroom, the water butt and debris in garden • ensure that all children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • comply with conditions of registration; this refers to displaying the certificate of registration and review information shared with parents to include the changes set out in the October 2005 Addendum to the National Standards for under 8's day care and childminding.

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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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