Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344647 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Lara Hickson 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 2007. She lives with her partner, her adult son and 15 year old son. The family home is an extended four bedroom terraced house, in Bexleyheath, in the London borough of Bexley. The whole of the property is suitable to be used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family has a West Highland Terrier dog and goldfish. The home setting is within reach of many local amenities including parks, the library, schools and shops and has good transport links. The childminder can walk to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children from birth to eight years. She currently has four children on roll although two attend on a more casual basis where required and when ratios allow.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is promoted well because the childminder has effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection, has good standards of hygiene and cleanliness and demonstrates a very good understanding of nutrition. She helps children to learn good hygiene

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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 skills and encourages independence through the use of equipment such as a step up stool and a trainer toilet seat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the appropriate procedures and clear, comprehensive records regarding accidents, first aid and the administration of medication. Sick children are cared for effectively by the childminder and a sick child procedure minimises the spread of infection within the setting. The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid qualification and is able to provide appropriate care to children if they become unwell or have an accident in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the benefits of exercise and healthy living. Children have daily access to physical activities which support and encourage them to develop and extend their physical skills such as coordination and balance. The childminder does not use a car for childminding purposes and therefore walks to all local amenities. She organises short trips around the block for toddlers to practise their newly acquired walking skills. Many of the toddler groups she attends have large play equipment and the childminder also takes children to local parks where they can practise and extend these skills further.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating well. She discusses each child's individual dietary needs with parents at initial meetings and records information regarding any likes, dislikes, allergies, medical or religious requirements. The childminder is happy to provide all meals as requested although is equally happy if parents wish to provide all meals and snacks for their child. Mealtimes are a sociable occasion and the childminder sits with children encouraging their independence, table manners and general eating skills during these periods. The childminder works well in partnership with parents to ensure that each child's individual dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure setting where risks have been identified and minimised by the childminder, ensuring that their safety is fully promoted. For example, safety gates are in place restricting access to the kitchen and stairs and locks are on cupboards containing hazardous substances. During play activities the childminder closely supervises the children whilst allowing them to develop their independence. A broad range of resources and activities are available for children to enjoy and these are suitable for the individual ages and stages of development of the children the childminder cares for. Resources and activities can be safely and independently selected as the childminder stores them at low level in toy boxes and baskets. The children benefit from the childminder's regular checks on toys and resources with regards to safety and cleanliness. All resources conform to British safety standards and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has practised emergency procedures and has recorded details of these. The childminder notes on her calendar when she is due to practise her evacuation drill which ensures that it is practised on a regular basis. The childminder checks her smoke detectors regularly to ensure that they remain in appropriate working order. However, although the childminder has a fire blanket available in her kitchen area this is not currently mounted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good arrival and collection procedures are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder would only allow children to be collected by an authorised adult or someone named previously by parents.

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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 Children are protected from harm due to the childminder's clear understanding of child protection procedures. She has up-to-date Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures together with contact numbers. She understands her responsibility as a childminder with regards to recording and reporting any concerns regarding abuse or neglect. A Child Protection policy is in operation and clearly outlines the childminder's responsibilities regarding recording and reporting concerns to parents. The childminder ensures that any existing injuries a child arrives to her setting with are clearly recorded together with a parental explanation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children greatly enjoy their time within the childminder's warm, homely setting. They are able to play with a wide range of different activities which are set out attractively for children to select from independently. Children arrive happy and eager to explore the range of toys and activities available even those who are cared for on a less regular basis. The childminder interacts extremely well with the children and extends their language development constantly through the introduction of new words for younger children and encouraging sentences and answering questions with the older and/or more able children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very responsive to the needs of all children in her care and discusses sharing and turn taking with children in an age appropriate way, using distraction techniques extremely well when two children want the same toy. Children approach the childminder confidently and at times seek her support such as to help them with an activity or for a cuddle when a little unsure such as when waking after a sleep. She provides cuddles and comfort as required fully putting children at ease in her setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the developmental needs of the children in her care and uses both the Birth to three framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum when planning activities. She observes the children on a regular basis and uses these observations to record children's development and learning under the different areas of learning. The childminder provides a wide range of different activities and play experiences for children throughout the week both within her home setting and at toddler groups to ensure that they are suitably challenged and stimulated. Where required the childminder adapts play opportunities to meet the needs of the children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a range of toys and activities reflecting positive images of race, culture, gender and disability promoting their awareness of diversity within the world around them. For example, the childminder has dolls from different cultures, Indian and Chinese serving bowls and utensils, dressing up costumes from India and a range of books reflecting culture. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards promoting non stereotypical play, for example all children are able to use the full range of activities available where age and stage appropriate. The childminder encourages children to learn about other cultures and festivals through celebrating a selection over the course of the year. This is through simple art work, meals and discussion where age appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has lots of previous experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) particularly children with speech and language delay or difficulties. She demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion and has experience of working

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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 closely with parents and with outside agencies. The childminder is very responsive towards caring for a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and would discuss their needs fully with their parents to ensure that she is able to provide appropriate care and meet their needs. The childminder explains that she would also take account of the needs of other minded children and assess the level of care required. She is happy to seek additional training to support a child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved within the setting as they are occupied with a wide range of age appropriate activities and have an excellent level of interaction and support from the childminder. A written behavioural management policy is in operation and outlines the childminder's methods for dealing with inappropriate behaviour. She uses behavioural strategies that are appropriate to each individual child's age, stage of development and level of understanding. For example, distraction, simple explanations, discussions and where necessary time out on her settee to calm down. The childminder intervenes well to diffuse situations and to reduce any potential conflict before situations arise such as when two children decide that they both want to play with the same toy at the same time. The childminder provides lots of praise for positive behaviour such as sharing and turn taking. She gently reminds children to walk in the setting explaining

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that this is so they do not fall over and hurt themselves or others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and this is evident from the positive letters of thanks and comments in questionnaires completed by parents. Comments include, 'leaving my child with my childminder has given me total peace of mind as he has always been happy to spend the day with her'. Parents compliment the childminder on the range of activities she plans and enjoys with the children such as taking them to baby and toddler groups where they enjoy the experience of mixing with other children and trying lots of activities. A working with parents policy is in place and outlines that she will provide parents with a copy of her Ofsted report and that she aims to work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of all children. The childminder provides daily verbal feedback to parents regarding their child's day and parents comment in thank you notes that she often provides them with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

photos of their children at play, indoors and outdoors and also provides them with works of art which they can treasure at home. Settling in periods are discussed and agreed with parents and are individual to each child's and family's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the childminder's organisation of her childminding service. All of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and general well-being is in place. The home setting layout allows children to move around freely, independently selecting toys and activities from the wide range available. The childminder completes thorough risk assessments on her home setting to ensure children's on-going safety. However, currently the fire blanket is not mounted in the kitchen area.

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Organisation

Children feel welcome and at home within the family orientated environment and settle well. The childminder maintains good quality records and all documentation sampled was appropriately recorded, shared with parents and securely stored. The childminder has a set of well written policies and procedures pertaining to all aspects of her childminding service. These include Child Protection, Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities. The registration certificate is displayed for parents along with a variety of other information such as pubic liability insurance and training certificates.

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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 Since registration the childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding course (ICP) although she has a wealth of experience in childcare as she is a trained Nursery Nurse. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards on-going training and development and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. She is currently registered for three children under eight years and is caring for two children on a part-time basis as well as two children on a less regular basis as the need arises. The childminder ensures that she maintains the correct ratios at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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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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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 fire blanket is mounted appropriately in the kitchen area for quick and easy access

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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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