Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY221758 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Sheila Harrison 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 registered in February 2003. She lives with her three children, a baby aged five months and two daughters aged 11 and 14 years, in a purpose-built flat in Camberwell, south-east London. The living room, a playroom and a bedroom are used for childminding. Children are taken on regular outings to local parks and play facilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for four children under eight years. There are two children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished as the childminder provides a balanced diet with a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Mealtimes are social occasions and young children's growing independence is gently encouraged as they are helped to feed themselves. Their likes and dislikes are respected and they are also encouraged to try new tastes. The childminder ensures children have sufficient fluids and special diets are fully followed.

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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 Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy with simple, good health and hygiene practices. The childminder sings a little song as they wash their hands before eating to remind the children of the benefits of clean hands. Children are protected from the spread of infection as they all have their own bedding and towels. The childminder has suitable nappy changing practices and young children are sensitively supported during the nappy changing routine. The childminder has appropriate procedures for the care of sick and injured children. She has a current first aid certificate and has suitable information about each child's health. There is documentation from the parents, including permission for emergency medical treatment and records of accidents. However, as permission for emergency medical treatment is not carried

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Helping children to be healthy

on outings, treatment of children after an accident may be slightly delayed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy comprehensive amounts of challenging and worthwhile physical exercise. The childminder observes and encourages young children’s early walking skills. Children have frequent outings to the park. Parents are encouraged to provide appropriate clothing so the children can have some fresh air and exercise even in inclement weather conditions. Older children can use the challenging play equipment in the park and the childminder takes small toys such as balls to help younger children develop their physical skills. Children develop good sleep patterns according to their needs in comfortable and peaceful surroundings.

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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 home with comfortable furniture and flooring. They have sufficient space to move freely in the lounge and they use an additional playroom upstairs. Photographs of the children at play and examples of their artwork are fittingly exhibited to help them develop a sense of belonging. There is an extensive range of good quality, safe play equipment of both natural and man-made materials. These are very well displayed at a low level to interest children and to help their development through being able to freely choose their playthings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains to the very young children why they need to be strapped into their high chair before lunch. Older children practise the ‘Green Cross Code’ and the childminder clarifies why the playground equipment should be used with care. Children successfully practise the emergency evacuation procedures using the sound of the smoke detector. The childminder is aware of the hazards in the home and has a secure routine to check the safety of the premises and equipment regularly. She is proactive in obtaining advice on the safety in the home and organised a visit from the home fire safety service. The childminder has the required child protection procedures and documents in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to attend as the childminder provides a calm and stimulating environment where children are happy and confident. The childminder closely observes the children at play and uses this in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to plan experiences that are well matched to the children’s interests. Children’s favourite activities are easily available. They are excited with the toys that light up when buttons are pressed. There are different musical instruments for children to freely explore sound.

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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 The childminder has increased the experiences for young children to learn through their senses. They investigate the contents of a treasure basket with natural and everyday objects. They are exploring size as they fit smaller tins into the larger ones. Young children showed joy as they knock down the sandcastles build by the childminder whilst playing in the sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s emerging language is well supported as the childminder sings frequently in different voice tones. She ensures that their vocabulary is increased by using a wide range of descriptive words as they play in the water. Young children choose the stories before their mid-afternoon nap. They learn how books work as they turn the pages for the childminder. She introduces the author and asks open-ended questions relating to the illustrations to encourage children's thinking skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s individual needs are well promoted as there is a superb partnership between the childminder and parents. There are very effective communication systems to ensure parents are reassured about their children’s welfare at all times. Parents receive daily records of their children’s day and the opportunity to comment in the diary. There are regular and valuable two-way conversations and parents are encouraged to comment on the childminder’s procedures to ensure they fully meet their needs. Complementary references are available from parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a clear and thorough understanding of caring for children with disabilities and learning difficulties. She has a system in place to gather information on different medical conditions and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to feel valued and free from discrimination as the play materials reflect diversity and show positive images of boys and girls. Children’s own cultural background is respected and those with English as an additional language are sensitively supported to maintain their home language and develop an understanding of English. The childminder provides Caribbean music with French songs, learns several basic phrases that are important to the children from the parents. She responds positively to children’s early communication skills as she gently repeats French phrases in English.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder manages their behaviour positively and consistently. There are clear and realistic boundaries and children know what is expected of them. Pictorial reminders of the house rules are suitably displayed. The childminder is sensitive to the children’s feelings. She praises and encourages them frequently as they help to tidy away the toys.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease within a well-organised environment. Policies and procedures are used effectively and shared with parents. Records are clear, up-to date, easily accessible and stored securely. However, a request for a variation of the conditions of registration was not applied for in advance and this potentially limits the safe management of the children.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a knowledgeable childminder who is committed to her role and is undertaking a professional childcare qualification. She enhances her skills by attending courses on specific subjects. Information from the courses is used to inform current practice. For example, using the observations on a child’s development to move the children to the next

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 steps in their learning. The childminder effectively uses her time with the children to ensure their well-being. Children are fully supervised by the childminder. She ensures all adults living in the house are suitably vetted. Overall the children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to restock the first aid kit. Children’s welfare is suitably promoted as the childminder has appropriate first aid training. She has a well-stocked first aid box indoors and takes a smaller set to carry on outings.

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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 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): • enhance children's safety by carrying permission for emergency treatment on outings • ensure exceptions to the conditions of registration are applied for in advance.

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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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