Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217006 Unique Reference Number 28 March 2008 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 has been registered since 2002 and lives in the Forest Hill area of Lewisham with her son who is over eight years. All areas of the home are accessible to children, including an enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently caring for three children under five years who attend on a full and part-time basis. Children walk with the childminder to local children's groups. The family do not have any pets. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ an assistant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home where regard is shown for promoting good standards of hygiene. Children show a clear understanding of routines that help stop the spread of infection, such as washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. In addition, they use their own toothbrushes after lunch and are provided with individual bedding and flannels. Good systems are in place to ensure children are supported in the event of an accident or illness, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and ensures

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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 appropriate records are kept and shared with parents. However, records of any medication administered are recorded in children's individual diaries; this poses a risk to a lack of a historical record being retained by the childminder if the parents choose to keep the diary when their child leaves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual dietary needs are known and respected. Children benefit from meals that are freshly cooked and include a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, promoting healthy eating habits. Children are able to make choices of foods offered and enjoy relaxed and sociable meal times. Children are able to gain fresh air and exercise during outside play and frequent visits to local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well within the home, for example, the childminder has moved home within the last few weeks and has taken positive steps to minimise any hazards, such as ensuring safety gates, electric socket covers and locks on low level cupboards are in place. In addition, the childminder is proactive in ensuring fire safety measures are in place, providing appropriate fire safety equipment and devising an emergency escape plan in consultation with the fire safety officer. However, advice is required from the environmental health officer as the home has an open plan style kitchen which leaves one door between the kitchen and bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from use of a dedicated play room where toys and books are easily accessible, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. Walls are decorated with children's creative work, photos, posters and maps, creating a welcoming environment. Children are provided with a wide range of toys, books and creative resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Their physical care needs are met as the childminder has child sized tables, chairs and a travel cot. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder knows what to do if she is worried a child is being abused and keeps relevant information easily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. They enjoy stories read by the childminder, listening well and developing their language skills as they discuss the pictures. They show confidence as they talk about the weather with the childminder who asks them questions that make them think, extending their vocabulary. Children enjoy exploring sound as they use musical instruments and sing and dance to music. They have good opportunities to be creative while using paint, collage and drawing materials and participate in planned activities, for example, making finger mice puppets. Children develop their problem solving skills while using wooden train tracks and make connections as they work out how the magnetic trains fit together. They play cooperatively and imaginatively while using dolls and accessories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a flexible weekly routine that promotes all areas of learning, for example, activities in the home including free play and planned activities, such as cooking and art and craft activities. In addition, children participate in regular outings in the local community, for example, to the library, parks and the Horniman museum including story telling sessions.

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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. Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual needs are known. Children are able to learn about diversity through use of resources that reflect a variety cultures and abilities and participate in planned activities relating to a variety of festivals and outings in the community. Although no children presently attend who have identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities, systems are in place to ensure any care offered promotes inclusion. Children are developing good relationships with the childminder, for example, they freely hold conversations and enjoy cuddles and jokes together. Children are well behaved; they are able to share and take turns during play, developing their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective systems are in place to promote partnership with parents. For example, they are kept well informed about their child's day as the childminder records all events, including food intake and sleep times in children's individual daily diaries. Gradual settling in procedures are in place to help new children feel secure when their parents leave. All documents are shared appropriately with parents, helping to safeguard children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to play in a well organised environment, with plenty of clear play-space. Children are able to select toys and work independently as toys, books and resources are stored at low level and easily accessible. The time children spend with the childminder is well organised, enabling them to participate in a broad range of activities and outings that promote learning and socialisation. The childminder ensures the home is welcoming and well maintained, however, advice is required to ensure the premises meets environmental health standards.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place, such as records of children's attendance, any accidents or medication and their individual details. However, systems to ensure the medication record is retained are not secure. The childminder shows a commitment to the development of the quality of the service, for example, she has attended relevant courses, extending her knowledge of childcare and first aid. In addition, she has devised written information, including policies and procedures and a weekly activity schedule, supporting the management of her service. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop her knowledge of childcare to further improve childminding practice. She achieved this by attending relevant courses, including the introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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 the premises meets environmental health requirements regarding the proximity of the kitchen and bathroom which are separated by one door. • develop a system to ensure records of any medication administered are retained, in addition to records kept in children's individual diaries.

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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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