Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347546 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2008 Inspection date Tom Radcliffe 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 two children aged seven and five years in Peckham in the London borough of Southwark. The whole of the childminder’s flat is used for childminding and a local park is used for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes the good health of children effectively in a number of ways. This includes having clear written procedures for the administering of medication and the recording of accidents, having written parental permission for her to seek emergency medical treatment

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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 and by ensuring that children are protected from the adverse effects of smoking. In addition the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection as children play and explore in clean, hygienic and well maintained areas with minimal risk to their well-being. To support this effective practice the childminder also excludes children who may be infectious and she ensures that children have a growing understanding of personal hygiene as they wash their hands and brush their teeth regularly. The childminder is qualified in food hygiene and so ensures that all food is stored, handled and served hygienically. The childminder's daily routines also reduce the risk of the spread of infection, for example, when she cleans toys used by the children and employs effective practice when nappy changing. Children are cared for

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Helping children to be healthy

well if they sustain a minor injury as the childminder holds a first aid qualification and has access to proper first aid equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with free access to chilled water while in the setting and enjoy regular snacks of fruit throughout the day. All other food is provided by the children's parents. The childminder ensures that the storage and serving of this is appropriate and that children have sufficient food for their needs while in her home. The childminder takes great care to ensure that she understands the dietary needs of all children and that she complies, in the interests of the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills very well as they have access to a good range of both indoor and outdoor experiences. Indoors children paint, play with bubbles, use a range of mark making equipment and access age appropriate toys, books and puzzles. Outdoors children use additional play equipment in a local park, visit a drop-in centre and walk regularly to shops or the local library. This contributes positively to their health and physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and secure environment where children can play, learn and develop. Children have access to sufficient uncluttered floor space and different areas of the childminder's home to undertake a range of activities; for example, they play in the living room and have snacks and take part in messy play in the kitchen. The childminder supervises the children carefully as they move freely in her home and she ensures that all resources are stored to promote independent access by the children. Children take rest according to their needs and the childminder monitors all sleeping children regularly. Children are welcomed by the childminder as they start their day and they freely choose resources and decide what to in comfort and with confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a good range of play equipment. Children's learning in all areas is supported by resources that are suitable for their age and level of development. The childminder ensures that children have access to a good range of toys which are safe, maintained in good working order and hygienic. Children are able to freely access books and toys and experience music or learn about speaking and number.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes effective steps to promote children's safety. She undertakes risk assessments in all her work with children to ensure that they do not face unnecessary hazards both in and outside her home. The childminder restricts children's movements with the use of gates, stores all hazardous materials safely, uses fire detection and control equipment properly and has an emergency evacuation plan in place. The children are developing a sense of their own safety as they play in the home and when they undertake their regular visits into the

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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 community. The childminder encourages the children to understand about how to walk safely and of the potential dangers of the roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She can recognise important signs and symptoms and knows how to proceed if she was to have concerns about a child's welfare. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well into the childminder's home; they choose activities and with good levels of supervision become purposefully engaged. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of each individual child and has a warm supportive relationship with them. Children select how they want to spend their time and the childminder guides them or makes suggestions when she thinks that it is required. This allows a language rich environment to take place where the childminder asks questions, listens to responses and takes opportunities to develop children's thinking, understanding and language skills. As children play with bubbles, for example, the childminder encourages the children to describe what they are doing, what it feels like and how many bubbles there are. The childminder ensures that children exercise their choice well and offers suggestions of what to do as children have access to a good range of activities to support

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their development. Children are able to take part in painting, experiment with shapes, use role play equipment and have access to books, music and puzzles. Children are happy in the setting; they are engaged in activities and are becoming increasingly articulate and independent. The children are developing in all areas of learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder allows children to have additional experiences away from her home as they regularly visit local parks and drop-in centres. This promotes children's social development and gives them additional learning experiences and access to additional play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that all information about individual children is gained from parents and that she uses this carefully in order to meet children's needs. This helps children to develop as their personal needs are known and acted upon. Thus children's dietary needs, medical details, interests and background are known by the childminder and incorporated into her provision; for example, children who use English as an additional language. The childminder has a close relationship with children who are treated as individuals and who interact well with her. Children have a growing understanding of themselves and of the diverse community around them. The childminder provides play materials that reflect positive images of diversity and experiences for the children within the locality. The childminder is aware that children may have special needs; she would be able to provide an inclusive and supportive environment, if

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The behaviour of the children is well managed by the childminder. The children play in a stimulating environment with good support and access to a range of activities. The childminder is a consistent and positive role model as she gently guides children and reminds them of how to behave. Children respond well to praise and are showing signs of managing their own behaviour. The children have an ever growing sense of right and wrong.

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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 Children's well-being and development are promoted by the relationship between the childminder and the parents. They value the service provided by the childminder and have an understanding of her work due to the exchanges of information and the policies and procedures that are in place. An effective partnership is in place to meet the needs of children. Most communication between parents and the childminder is verbal; though the childminder sometimes uses written information, parents do not have access to regular daily diaries that would provide them with more information about children's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy in the childminder's home; they settle quickly and make good use of a range of learning and play experiences. Children develop well as a result of the stimulating activities that are available to them. The childminder understands the individual needs of children and works very effectively to meet them. The childminder ensures that her skills are updated by undertaking training and development, for example, in child protection and documentation. She meets all the National Standards as children participate in a clear routine which is planned to meet individual needs through, for example, play and visits to groups within the community.

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Organisation

Children are very safe and secure within the childminder's home as all adults undergo suitability checks and she follows careful safety procedures. Parents have good contacts with the setting but they do not have access to regular written development information. The childminder has all necessary documentation in place. This impacts positively on the safety and well-being of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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):

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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 • continue to develop written diaries to inform parents about their children's development.

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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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