Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115449 Inspection date 17 October 2005 Inspector Claire, Alexandra Parnell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and two teenage children. The home is situated in Crayford, in a quiet residential road and is within walking distance of schools, pre-schools, parks and other local amenities. There are good links to public transport. The whole house is suitable to be used for childminding with an upstairs bathroom and a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children. If working with her husband, who is also registered, she can mind a total of six children at any one

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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 time. Currently, she is minding a total of six children, on a full-time and part-time basis. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is a member of the national childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Most children develop a basic understanding of independent hygiene skills, although younger children do not have the opportunity to wash their hands after nappy changes, using the potty or before eating, whereas older children wash their hands themselves after toileting and before eating. They play in a clean environment because the childminder encourages them to clean up after themselves and removes dropped food from their reach, giving clear explanations as to why they can't eat it. Clear procedures are followed to ensure medication is administered to children safely and appropriately. The childminder finds alternative ways to promote children's well-being through fresh air and drinking water. Children's accidents are recorded sufficiently to ensure parents are informed of what happened and when, which promotes continuing care for injuries. This results in children's individual health need being promoted effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating through a good range of healthy food options offered to them. They have access to fresh fruit and vegetables in both snacks and cooked meals. The childminder uses information from parents to ensure children are offered appropriate foods, with regard to dietary requirements and preferences, although children's interest in trying new foods are fostered well. They eat socially as part of a group, although younger children's individual routine is recognised and catered for, therefore their individual needs are met. Children are offered drinks of low sugar squash, water and milk throughout the day. Older children confidently request drinks, but younger children have to wait to have a drink offered to them. Therefore some children cannot access drinks when they need to quench their thirst. They enjoy plenty of physical play opportunities both inside and outside. The children

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Helping children to be healthy

participate in group activities as well as meeting challenges for their individual development with new and exciting equipment at local amenities. Therefore children learn about the importance of healthy living and regular exercise for a continuous feeling of well-being.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure environment, extending their play safely and with imagination. They have access to many areas of the house, dependent on their understanding of safety and ability to use these areas safely. The children also can choose to play outside, which is regularly monitored for safety and action taken if potential hazards are spotted. This also applies to all indoor areas as well. Children can access a range of safe, maintained and age appropriate toys and resources. The childminder regularly checks equipment that is essential to each childs care needs, such as highchairs and pushchairs, to ensure that children can use them safely and for a purpose. Children can be evacuated safely in the event of a fire due to informal evacuation procedures, although older children lack further explanations and written plans to enhance their understanding of fire safety. Fire safety equipment is available and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

checked regularly to ensure that it works correctly. When children are out of the setting, they learn about road safety and have good levels of supervision and clear explanations to enhance their safety. Clear explanations and discussions help children to develop an understanding for other people's safety as well as their own. However, the childminder does not gain written permission to transport children in a car or gain consent to receive treatment in an emergency. Therefore the parents are not aware of the childminder's safety procedures or practice for these two issues and children are transported or given emergency treatment without parents prior knowledge. Clear written procedures are followed by the childminder to ensure children are protected from harm. The childminder has a good knowledge of local child protection procedures and is aware of who to contact if concerns arise, therefore children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities, resources and equipment that enhances their independence, challenges their levels of development and encourages social interaction with both adults and children. They learn about sharing and negotiating through group activities, enhanced by the high level of positive interaction from the childminder. Children regularly participate in creative activities resulting in children having pride in their finished results. They enjoy a wealth of messy and craft activities, using their imaginations to stick, paint, build and create. The childminder uses the local community and outside environment to extend children's thinking, particularly about the world around them, by visiting supermarkets, local shops and libraries and giving children experiences that they

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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 have not seen or done before.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children have planned structured activities during holidays, to ensure that they are all occupied and participating well. The childminder is aware of frameworks that promote younger children's development and informally uses this to ensure all children are developing and are moving on to their next step of progression. The children's day is planned to ensure that they all have quality one to one time with the childminder, enhancing their relationships with her and building on new skills such as listening to stories, mark making and counting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder uses information gained from parents to offer appropriate care according to children's needs. However, children's records lack detailed information about their backgrounds to ensure that the care offered reflects their religion, language spoken at home and ability. Children do have access to some resources and regular discussion that portray positive images of today's society, enhancing their positive understanding of people's differences. Children with special needs are offered appropriate care through a sensitive approach by the childminder. Their needs are assessed and monitored to ensure the childminder has the ability, knowledge and skills to meet their needs. Children benefit from positive re-enforcement of acceptable behaviour, resulting in their high levels of confidence, self-esteem and developing an understanding for right and wrong. They are encouraged to share and negotiate in play, therefore learning to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

form social relationships with their peers and the childminder. The childminder works with parents to establish continuous strategies, therefore linking to the care and strategies that are used at home. Parents receive a good amount of written information about the service offered to their children in the form of policies and procedures. Children's achievements are feedback verbally to ensure parents are aware of how their child has been progressing. The childminder uses information from parents about children's achievements at home to ensure they are given continuous opportunities to further their development. However, the childminder does not record their achievement in writing to keep an accurate record of individual children's progress and to ensure this information is passed on to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled, confident and familiar with the routine and setting. They clearly feel at home and at ease in the well-organised setting, that takes into

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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 consideration children's own routines as well as the needs of others. The childminder has a clear understanding of her duty to ensure children do not have unsupervised access to un-vetted persons. She uses appropriate procedures to ensure that they are always cared for by registered persons, as her husband is also a registered childminder, and acts as her emergency backup. Therefore children are in continuous care with familiar people. The childminder attends relevant training, such as first aid, to ensure children are cared for using the latest and correct information. The childminder knows her limitations of how many children she can care for, as she keeps accurate records of the children's attendance. Children's documentation is kept safe, secure, up-to-date and confidential to ensure

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Organisation

children's welfare is safeguarded. Overall, the childminder 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 given one recommendation that can help improve her child care practice. The childminder now has a written complaints procedure in place, with full details for parents about who to contact and how. The parents also have access to this information via a displayed poster with contact telephone numbers for Ofsted. The childminder is aware of the new regulations to record any complaints from parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was made to Ofsted in July 2004 regarding the minded children being supervised by un-vetted persons unknown to parents (standard 1), the safe transportation of children in the childminder's car (standard 6) and the provision of nutritious meals for children (standard 8). An unannounced inspection took place to investigate the concerns. the following actions were made to re-enforce standard practice. 1.Ensure that children are not left in the care of unregistered persons. 2.Maintain an accurate daily record of the names of the children and their hours of attendance. 3.Make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, maintain a record of complaints and notify Ofsted. An additional inspection was carried out to ensure all actions had been met.

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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 After the investigation, the provider remained suitable for registration. The case was closed with no further action. 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): • consider producing a written evacuation plan to re-inforce practice • obtain parent's written consent to transport children in a car and for children to receive emergency treatment. • extend written information about children's background to ensure all children's individual needs are positively reflected. • extend independent hygiene practice to develop younger children's understanding of the need to wash hands after toileting, nappy changes and before eating.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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