Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254321 Unique Reference Number 01 April 2008 Inspection date Claire Jean Douglas 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 May 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and seven years old. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Beckenham, close to local shops, schools, parks and transport links.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house, excluding the main bedroom, is used for childminding purposes, sleeping facilities are provided upstairs and there are toilet facilities on both floors. There is direct access to a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have one dog, two cats, two guinea pigs, two hamsters, one gerbil and two gold fish. The dog is able to be separated from the play areas both indoors and when in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

at any one time, and there is currently one child on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder uses effective hygiene practices, which, help to protect children from illness and the risks of cross infection. For example, the home environment is kept clean and tidy and the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands regularly, with the use of disposable towels and wipes. Children's health is supported as the childminder has systems in place, to keep records of any accidents children have and any medicine they need to administer. The childminder ensures that parents have given their written consent, so that she can seek medical advice or treatment for their child in an emergency. This means that parents' wishes regarding action to be taken in an emergency, are clear. Children benefit from a good balance of healthy food, exercise and regular drinks. All children enjoy regular physical outdoor activities as they walk to the local school and visit the park, or they access the secure garden with fenced off

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Helping children to be healthy

areas to allow the children to play in separate areas from the pet dog. Children have a choice of climbing up the climbing frame, rocking on the sea-saw or peddling a bike around the patio, all these encourage their interests and positively contributes to their good health, encouraging them to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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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 well maintained environment with facilities to meet their needs. The risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to identify and reduce potential hazards, for example, the childminder has completed risk assessments on all the areas the children have access to. She ensures that children cannot access the stairs or any exposed electrical sockets. Children play with toys which are clean, in good condition and suitable for their age. This helps ensure they can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is familiar with possible signs of child abuse or neglect, she is aware of her responsibility to record and report any concerns. Children are well protected from risks of fire as the required smoke alarms and fire blankets are in place and the childminder has devised several escape plans which are discussed with the children. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her emergency procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder's care due to secure routines. They make themselves at home and develop warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. She knows the children well and devotes her time to them to enhance their sense of well-being and emotional stability. Children play purposefully with a good range of age appropriate resources, which are all stored within the children's levels for free access. They quickly become competent communicators as the childminder uses supportive and enthusiastic interaction at all levels, which enable children to develop confidence and make progress in their social learning. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of child development. Young children have their needs met because the childminder has an understanding of the way they develop and is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to inform her practice.

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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 good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder's consistent approach to rules and boundaries helps children behave well. They begin to develop a positive view of the wider community when they use quality play resources and books, such as a doll in a wheel chair and a pop-up school that reflects positive images of diversity. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk to each other daily to exchange information, and the childminder fills out a daily diary which helps children experience consistent care. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is proactive in ensuring that all children's needs are met appropriately in partnership with

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed and at ease within the well organised environment. The children have easy access to a range of toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Children have space to set out resources to play, enabling them to make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided. The childminder dedicates her time and attention fully to the children whilst they are present. The childminder keeps documents and records required to promote the health, safety and welfare of minded children, however, the medicine records need to be updated to ensure clarity when obtaining parental signatures. The children have easy access to a range of toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. The childminder uses a daily diary and has regular informal discussions with parents where she shares the children's progress, ensuring that she effectively meets all

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Organisation

the children's needs. The childminder is proactive in attending relevant training. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure a daily attendance record is maintained for all children which includes the hours of attendance and ensure records of children's and parents' details are kept for all minded children attending. Both these areas have been addressed and appropriate records are kept.

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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 medicine records show clearly where the parents must sign to acknowledge the entry.

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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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