Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY302428 Unique Reference Number 20 March 2008 Inspection date Jane Nelson 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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 11, nine and four years, in a two bedroom maisonette. The living room of the home is used for childminding. There is no access to a garden, but alternative arrangements for outdoor play, such as visits to local parks, are provided. The premises is situated in Herne Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children aged under five, who both attend on a part time basis. The childminder visits local resources for children aged under five, and attends a local childminder's group with the children on a regular basis. 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. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming home. They are gaining a good understanding of their own hygiene as they follow practices that are part of their daily routine, such as being helped by the childminder to wash their own hands before their snack and after using the toilet. Their understanding is reinforced by seeing photographs of themselves washing their hands; children enjoy looking at the photographs of themselves and talk about washing their hands after painting and gluing. The childminder's policy of not caring for children if they are unwell or infectious limits opportunities for infectious illnesses to spread.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet, and have access to regular drinks, which encourages their good health and awareness of healthy eating. They enjoy their morning snack of fresh fruit and raw carrot, sitting comfortably with the childminder on cushions on the floor. The childminder talks to the children about the fruit they are eating, and they discuss which fruit tastes sweet and which are sour, and which tastes they like.

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Helping children to be healthy

Information relating to accidents and administration of medication is recorded, and shared with parents, although not all information relating to accidents is recorded in the same format and signed by parents, confirming their acknowledgement of the information. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and accident records indicates that basic first aid is administered appropriately for minor accidents. Parents' written consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for physical play and daily exercise which encourages their physical development and good health. They make daily outings, for example, to the park opposite the childminder's home, daily walks to the nearby school and regularly visit the local under 5's centre, with the childminder, where they have opportunities for physical play, such as climbing on equipment and riding wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Safety precautions, such as a stair gate and socket covers, are in place and children are closely supervised by the childminder during their play, when using the toilet, and during limited access to the kitchen to wash their hands before snack. Children gain an awareness of their own safety, for example, they are reminded to be careful in their play with each other and as they move about. The childminder reminds them to take care, pick up toys and be careful of not tripping over them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a selection of safe and age appropriate play materials, some of which are set out on low tables and the floor, encouraging children to explore and play with them safely. Space in the living room is organised to enable children to play, move about, eat and rest safely. Children are able to play with toys safely on the floor, sit comfortably and safely to eat and play, using a child size table and chairs, and sit safely on floor cushions to have their snack. A travel cot is provided for younger children's rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's evacuation plan means that plans are in place to evacuate the premises safely in an emergency. Fire precautions such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are provided. Although

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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 the fire blanket is easily accessible, it is not fitted according to manufacture's instructions, which would cause a delay in accessing the blanket in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues, her responsibilities if she has concerns and where to seek advice; however, information relating to the contact details for Social Services is not in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder and each other. They have access to a good range of interesting play materials and activities, that are supplemented by equipment borrowed from the local book and toy libraries. The childminder plans activities outside the home, such as visits to the local library for story time, and regularly attends a local childminder's group, providing good opportunities for children to socialise in a larger group and experience a variety of activities, physical play and outings to places of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy exploring the toys and activities that are set out attractively, inviting them to explore and investigate. They are able to make choices about what to play with, and busily dress dolls, feed them and put them in the cot, roll out the play dough, and complete simple puzzles. The childminder interacts well with the children, she is warm and affectionate and chats to children while they play, making suggestions and offering help when needed. She sits close by the children on the floor as they play, and they all enjoy a planned circle time, sitting comfortably on cushions and singing songs such as "the hello song" and the children's favourite song "wind the bobbin up", during which they all join in with the actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good use is made of the available space, with furniture organised to provide clear floor space for children to play on the floor, and activities, such as play dough and gluing, set out on child size tables. The childminder is creative in covering a large television screen, so that children are not distracted from their play by wanting to watch television, unless it is a planned activity for a limited time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs, routines and preferences are well known by the childminder, enabling her to plan activities and experiences they enjoy and that encourage their development. Children have access to a good range of resources, such as dolls, books and play figures, that reflect diversity, helping their understanding of the world they live in. They have good opportunities to experience different events and practices, through participating in activities at play groups within the local community, and from the childminder's own culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, they are busy and interested in their play. The childminder uses positive language with the children and praises their achievements, which encourages children's confidence and self esteem. Practices such as the short circle time help children to enjoy small group activities such as singing songs together and listening to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good communication between the childminder and parents helps to ensure that information is shared well. Some policies are provided in writing and the childminder has made individual books of photographs for each child, which help illustrate the activities and experiences children participate in and enjoy, while in her care.

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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 good. The childminder plans and provides a good range of experiences and activities that she hopes children will enjoy and that encourage their development. She provides a good range of play materials and equipment which she supplements, providing variety and different experiences for the children, by borrowing additional equipment from the local toy library. The childminder has a commitment to keeping herself up to date with developments in childcare through regular attendance at a local childminder's group and attending training.

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Organisation

The necessary documentation and written records are in place, maintained and well organised. Some policies are available in writing, providing additional information for parents about the childminder's service. Children's health is protected and records relating to accidents are maintained, although not all information is recorded consistently, and some records do not contain parents' signatures. Children's safety and welfare are protected, with the exception of the fire blanket being fitted according to manufacturer's instructions, and the contact details for Social Services Child Protection Team being in place. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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. 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): • ensure the fire blanket is fitted according to manufacturer's instructions • obtain contact details for the Social Services Child Protection Team • ensure all accidents are recorded consistently and signed by parents

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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 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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