Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345212 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Sarah Morfett 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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children, aged six and 12 years, in Welling, in the London borough of Bexley. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and attends the local parent/toddler group. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean, tidy and comfortable home. Thorough cleaning routines are followed each day to ensure that they have a safe and hygienic space to play in. They follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating and demonstrate their understanding by talking about how this

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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 gets rid of germs. The childminder has clear guidelines in place to prevent the spread of infection, for instance, she asks parents to keep children at home if they are contagious. Good systems are in place to record accidents and medication and the childminder ensures that children's health requirements are recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an active life style. Each day they walk to and from school with the childminder. They have a well equipped garden for outside play and trips to the local park ensure they have regular exercise. Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder provides nutritious lunches for them and they can tuck into the fruit bowl if they become hungry. They have access to drinks at all times, as the childminder leaves their cups within easy reach and refills them often. Therefore, children begin to learn about a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment. They make full use of the available space, playing with good quality resources which are stored within easy reach and set out to invite them to play. All toys and equipment conform to current safety standards, are checked regularly for safety and cleaned routinely. Therefore, children benefit from the good condition of all resources. Each day the childminder checks round her home to ensure all hazards are minimised and she uses a good range of equipment which protects the children. There is a basic fire evacuation procedure in place. The children are familiar with evacuations as they take part in the school drills. However, they are a little unsure about what to do in the childminder's home. They learn about good road safety as they walk to and from school. They say that they must hold hands walking along the road and they know that when the green man shows they can

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cross the road. Therefore, they are learning to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare. She has a well developed understanding of the local procedures to follow if she were to be concerned about a child in her care and communicates her duty of care to the parents through a child protection policy which they sign to acknowledge. Therefore, children are fully protected in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They confidently help themselves to a good range of resources which are age appropriate and offer them balance and challenge. For example, they can play with construction toys, role play, read books or make things with a wide range of art and craft materials. This means that children learn and develop through play. Children are able to make choices about what they do. Each day the childminder plans a focused activity which the children have chosen, such as making cards for a special occasion. She implements a flexible routine. Therefore, children are able to relax, play, be active and rest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good relationship with the childminder and each other. They are keen for her to join in their games and she extends their learning experiences with the language she uses. For example, she asks what colour they have chosen whilst they draw and then extends this by making them think whether it will show up on the same coloured paper. Therefore, children are learning through this good interaction.

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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 The very young children are fully involved too. The activities are adapted so they can join in and the older children interact well with them. The childminder takes time to ensure that all children have some of her time, for example, while the older children are engaged in an activity, she sits and looks at a picture book with the baby. She points to familiar pictures naming the object and the baby repeats what she says. Therefore, the baby is beginning to find a voice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and make the most of the opportunities to learn through well thought out activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals. The childminder keeps clear records of their dietary requirements, medical needs and notes their contact details. Therefore, she is able to meet their needs effectively. They can play with a good range of toys which reflect positive images of diversity. For example, as they play with play people, puzzles and books they learn to respect people’s differences. They take part in festivals and celebrations from other cultures and religions, gaining a wide view of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Strategies used to manage their behaviour are age appropriate. For example, the childminder talks to children at a level they can understand and discusses ways they can solve their problems. Children's needs are met as their daily routine is shared with parents in the form of a contact book. Parents are kept well informed of the care their children receive by means of a well written portfolio of policies, procedures and useful information which the childminder shares with them. Parents enter into firm written agreements with the childminder which helps to protect the children's welfare. Therefore, children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. They have ample space to move around in and are confident to make choices about what they play with. The childminder provides a good range of activities which contribute to valuable experiences for them. The childminder has completed an Introducing Childcare Practice course and holds a paediatric first aid certificate. She has a positive attitude to keeping herself up-to-date with current childcare practice and attends training when she can. All adults in the home are suitably vetted and good procedures are followed to protect children from those who are not checked.

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Organisation

All policies, procedures and documentation are maintained to a good standard; for example, the registration certificate is displayed and the record of attendance is completed daily, noting arrival and departure times. The childminder understands her responsibility to investigate any complaints made under the National Standards and has developed a good procedure to log any complaints. The childminder fully understands the regulations of registration and follows all required procedures when needed. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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Improvements 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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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.

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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): • develop children's understanding of keeping themselves safe in an emergency

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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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