Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263509 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Margaret Coyne / Susan Tuffnell 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged six years, five years and two years in the Forest Hill area of London. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for one child under five years on a part time basis. There were no children present for the majority of the inspection. The childminder works occasionally with an assistant. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminding support group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a teaching qualification.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through their daily routines and through discussions. The childminder describes how she teaches the children how to wash their hands through role play. She encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside, after nappy changes and before meals and cooking activities. Parents are asked to provide towels, flannels, a change of clothing, a toothbrush and toothpaste and bedding for their child's use. This helps prevent cross-infection. The childminder has systems in place to gain information from parents regarding children's health needs, dietary requirements, immunisations and allergies. Some records are kept on the computer to assist her when providing care for the children although no entries have been made in the accident or medication records

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Helping children to be healthy

at this time. Appropriate policies are shared with parents with regard to the control of illness and required incubation times. The childminder has completed a first aid course and has booked onto a refresher course to update her knowledge and understanding to ensure appropriate care can be provided in the event of illness or accident to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussions and menu samples, the childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of healthy eating. At present parents supply a packed meal for their child due to allergies and dietary preferences. The childminder discussed her understanding of healthy eating and explained the types of meals she would provide for children. These would consist of home cooked meals such as fish, vegetables and fruit across the five food groups and including items with natural sugar content rather than manufactured food items. The childminder discussed how she encourages children to make meals times a social occasion by encouraging them to all sit together for meals. This will help children to learn good manners and social skills. Children have opportunity to take part in cooking activities making pizza, dough, cakes and biscuit. This is a learning opportunity for children to see good food preparation, demonstrate where food comes

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Helping children to be healthy

from and healthy eating. Children remain hydrated because the childminder ensures they can access fresh drinking water from the dispenser on the fridge. Younger children are encouraged to drink plenty of milk or water during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder talks about how she encourages children to keep fit and healthy as they get fresh air each day and access the local park. Here they have opportunity to try larger static equipment to climb and balance and the childminder discussed how it helps children develop their confidence and skills. Within the garden there is a range of outdoor equipment to further develop their skills as they use the hoops, balls, cycling and footballs and walking in the local area. Children have a wide range of toys and equipment to develop their hand and eye coordination and dexterity. The childminder explains how children are encouraged to take part in activities such as building with construction, creative activities using one-handed tools and to play with musical instruments. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their needs.

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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, secure and child-orientated environment. They have ample space to move around as they explore and play with the wide range of resources. Children are encouraged to access these independently and the toys and equipment are rotated to ensure they do not get bored. Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures they can

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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 not access the kitchen or first floor unsupervised and she explains to them they must not answer the front door. Other safety precautions are followed as children learn the boundaries in place which keep them safe. They understand how to move around the home safely and not to run inside or climb on the furniture. Children benefit, as the childminder has taken some sensible precautions in her home. She supervises children at all times and is involved in their play and learning. All necessary equipment is in place to further protect the children from harm. For example, stair gates, socket covers and fire safety equipment. The childminder encourages the children to help tidy the toys away before they play with anything else. Children use appropriate toys, resources and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit, as the childminder understands how to leave the home in an emergency. However, this has not been practised with minded children to raise their awareness. The childminder was unsure of the correct procedures to follow in the event of a lost or uncollected child which potential compromises children's overall safety. Her Public Liability Insurance has expired as she has not been caring for any children until recently and she is now aware that this must be in place at all times for the protection of the children. Children follow simple procedures when away from the childminder's home. They follow sensible guidelines and precautions as they access parks and use the equipment. This helps children to learn to keep themselves safe from accidental injury. They learn about road safety and sitting in appropriate car seats when going in the car. This ensures children's safety both in and out of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has joined a safety club and gets regular publications to teach the children about road safety through playing games and with role play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She discusses her duty of care with the parents and ensures they understand her responsibilities regarding child protection. She is aware she must record and refer any concerns and has a secure understanding through her work as a teacher within the educational system. She has an understanding about the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and will endeavour to ensure she has this information in place to share with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in this child-orientated home. They have free access to all toys and resources because the childminder plans the activities for each day and ensures resources are available to children for both child-initiated and adult-led play. The childminder describes how she offers flexible tailored care for children through the information gained from parents. This enables her to meet children's individual needs. The childminder talks about how she provides interesting activities and encourages children's imaginations through these activities For example, junk modelling, dancing to music tapes and making tie and dye Batik material. She describes how children make their own choices in play and select activities that interest them, such as playing with musical toys, looking at simple science and history as they discover dinosaurs and the microscope. When children arrived they enjoyed playing on the African Balofone making

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their own music. The childminder discussed how she encourages children's language development through the sharing of stories and supporting their play with language. A portfolio has been started by the childminder to support children's record of development and to share their progress with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures children have daily walks in the local area as they visit the library for reading club, visit the museum and enjoy time at the local parks. Children have many first hand

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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 opportunities to develop an understanding of the world around them and explore nature. For example, they have grown tomato plants and children explain that they have to 'give the plants love to make them grow'. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of children's development and she is keen to continue this through the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, at present this is not yet in place to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are becoming aware of the local community as they play in the park, enjoy outings to places of local interest and visit the library for story time and to borrow books. They are cared for by the childminder who works with the parents to meet individual children's needs. All children can access the resources suitable for their age and stage of development. Children develop a positive view of the world around them as they look at books and play with the growing assortment of resources that show positive images of cultures, religion and gender roles. Children discover, through the books, different cultures such as Muslim, Jewish and Chinese. They also learn about how people from different cultures live with books about an African and Islamic village. The childminder and her family are from an ethnic background and the children have resources such as drums and a Balofone to delight in African music. This

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Helping children make a positive contribution

develops children's understanding of diversity and helps them learn to respect themselves and those around them. The childminder ensures she fosters positive links with children's own cultures and identities and this helps them gain a sense of belonging within the setting. The childminder is a special needs teacher and works part time in a school. She has a wealth of experience dealing with many aspects of learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She spoke about how she would ensure all children can take part in the activities making them feel special, valued and able to achieve. The childminder is strongly committed to inclusion and is enthusiastic about working with children with different needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit, as the childminder has a calm and positive approach to behaviour management. She continually offers praise and encouragement and is consistent with her behaviour management. Therefore, children learn to be kind to each other and to share and take turns. The childminder has completed a behaviour management course which has helped her develop purposeful strategies to help children learn to manage and control their own behaviour. She helps children find a sense of purpose through their play and learn to respect each other. The childminder spoke about how she ensures children are occupied throughout the day which reduces any challenging behaviour issues because they are fully involved in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks about how she values and respects each child as individuals and meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder discussed the level of verbal information she gives to parents about the service provided to keep them informed about their child's activities. During the inspection the childminder showed contracts and records relating to the children which she shares with parents. These were acceptable examples of their partnership. However, written information available to parents about children's activities and her practice is limited to extend their partnership. The childminder was able to explain her procedures to share with parents if they have any concerns about her practice. However, she does not have any information for them to refer a complaint to the regulator or a system to record a concern if it arose. Therefore, the partnership with parents is not fully

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is confident in her childcare practice. She uses her maternal experience and her experience working with children in a school environment to underpin her knowledge and understanding. Children's welfare is effectively supported through the childminder's clear use of verbal procedures and routines which cover the National Standards. Children are happy and secure as they play in this cheerful environment. Space and resources are reasonably well planned to ensure maximum play space is available to the children and to assist them to move from dependence to independence as they select toys and activities for themselves. The childminder has only recently started childminding and spoke about how she helps children develop their confidence as they initiate their own activities and when playing with her own children in this child friendly setting.

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Organisation

The childminder has a caring and sensitive approach to her practice. She offers a home from home experience for children. Her organisational skills are generally effective although some areas such as documents are not yet fully developed to support her practice and the partnership with parents. The childminder has developed some policies and procedures which are reflected in her daily practise. Ratios are met at all times and the childminder has an excellent awareness of the impact these have on the children's health, safety, socialisation and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is gaining a professional approach to her childminding and this is demonstrated in her plans for the future development of her practice, additional training she would like to attend and the daily organisation and planning of activities for the children. She is able to organise time throughout the day to meet the needs of any minded child. She is aware that records must be retained and to be available for inspection. Overall children's needs are met.

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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):

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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 • ensure an emergency escape plan has been devised and practised • ensure public liability insurance is in place • increase knowledge and understanding of procedures to follow in the event of a lost or uncollected child • continue to develop the planning and provision of activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities, for example, through use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure parents are fully informed about the routine and childcare practices • ensure parents are aware of the complaints procedure and the regulators details and if complaints are received ensure a record is maintained.

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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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