Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253824 Unique Reference Number 23 June 2008 Inspection date Gillian Cubitt 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 2002. She lives with her husband in a house situated in Mitcham in the London Borough of Merton. Childminding takes place in a separate building situated to the rear of the childminder's house. It comprises of one room which has direct access to the garden. Toilets are situated on the first floor of the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with one assistant and is registered to care for a maximum of seven children at any one time when the assistant is present. When working alone the childminder is registered for five children. She is currently minding six children between the ages of eight months and four years of age. There are two children who attend part time and four children attend each day from Monday to Friday. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has relevant childcare qualifications and supports children who have English as a second language.

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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. Children's health is generally well supported because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection, such as, using antibacterial sprays to clean nappy changing areas and tables where children eat. All meals are prepared freshly each day and take into account children's individual dietary needs. Fruit is available throughout the day and children know they just have to ask when they feel like a snack. They enjoy oranges and happily share these with their friends. However, at times children forget to clean their hands before handling food, which increases the risk of cross contamination, which impacts on their health

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are supported in their need for physical exercise and to rest, which aids their physical development. They have opportunities to visit nearby recreational facilities for children, as well as enjoying the sunshine whilst they play ball and ride on small mobile toys in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of equipment and age appropriate toys, which are well maintained and safe for children. Their play environment displays attractive posters and children's own pictures, which makes them feel welcome and helps them to settle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is a high priority within the play room. The childminder completes daily risk assessments of equipment and activities. She has fire evacuation procedures and working smoke alarms, which ensures children's safety. Children play in a generally safe garden, which is level and enclosed, although the exposed clothes drier presents a risk to children. On outings, children are well protected because the childminder has good procedures to ensure their safety. For example, children wear individual wrist bands with contact details in case of emergency and the childminder also ensures she carries her emergency first aid kit in the event of an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder is fully aware of the procedures to protect children's welfare. She has a written policy which detail her responsibilities and this information is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have an enjoyable day whilst in the childminder's care. Daily planning ensures children have a variety of good resources and activities to engage and stimulate them, which supports their development and learning. Children's ideas emerge in their free-flow play where they are encouraged to make their own choices as to whether they play inside or in the garden. Children paint using their hands to make prints and paintbrushes to create their own designs, which promotes their creativity. They have fun playing games like 'Connect' where they learn sequencing, colours and simple counting. Outings are also a regular feature in the children's day. They learn about the world around them by visiting local shops and parks. They have fun at children's activity centres where they can challenge their skills of movement and balancing.

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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. Children are very settled and happy and relate well with the childminder and her assistant. Children receive good individual attention. They benefit because the childminder understands their different needs and cultures and responds appropriately where children have special dietary requirements or do not use English as their first language. Some toys and resources and posters reflect the cultures of the children who attend. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities and has systems in place to support these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good because they are well occupied throughout the day and they receive appropriate support and guidance from the childminder. Children learn to share and be kind to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and childminder work well together. There is a clear settling-in policy, which supports children's needs during the early days of being left with the childminder. Consistency of care is promoted through the daily diaries, which details key events in the child's day. Parents are also made aware of policies and procedures to follow if they have any concerns so that these are dealt with promptly. This helps to build strong working relationships between the childminder and parents, which benefit the children's overall care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and fully complies with the requirement for all adults working or living on the premises to be vetted. She is keen to update her knowledge and skills and has taken the required training, such as, first aid, as well as a good variety of other courses which support her work and aids her understanding of how children develop and learn.

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Organisation

The childminder works with an assistant and always ensures that children have sufficient space and support. Children's daily records are well maintained, such as, the attendance register. Other regulatory documents, such as, recording of children's accidents and agreed medication are recorded effectively. The childminder also keeps various other records, such as, observation and assessment files on each child. This information helps her to understand where children are in their development and learning, which she shares with parents.

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Organisation

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 last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety for children within the home environment by ensuring the garden fence was secure and that smoke alarms were in working order. These requirements have now been completed, which supports children's safety.

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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 children develop routines of washing hands prior to eating • ensure garden equipment, not connected to childminding, such as the airing line for clothes is made inaccessible to children

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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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