Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364052 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2008 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 husband and one child aged one year in Worcester Park in the London borough of Kingston. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for five children under eight and is currently minding three children under eight years old. The childminder also cares for one child over eight years of age. The childminder attends local toddler groups and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because their physical, nutritional and health needs are met very well, as a result of good practices carried out by the childminder. Children are cared for in very clean and well maintained surroundings. The childminder carries out good procedures to prevent the risk of cross infection. For example, she wears gloves when changing nappies and washes her hands

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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 before preparing foods and when necessary. Children learn to follow good hygiene practices, as they are taught to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet and after playing in the garden. To prevent the risk of cross contamination each child has their own towel. On outings children also use anti-bacterial gel to clean their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a wide range of nutritious meals and snacks made from fresh foods prepared by the childminder, which includes fruit and vegetables. This helps children to develop healthy eating styles from a young age. Parents provide foods for children under one year, which the childminder stores and heats appropriately according to their wishes. The childminder gathers information about children’s dietary requirements and any allergies. This ensures children are not given any foods that may have an adverse effect on them. Each child has their own cup and older children can help themselves to a drink whenever they want one and the childminder offers young children a drink on a regular basis. This ensures they do not become thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from contagious illnesses due to the childminder’s clear policy regarding the exclusion of sick children, which is given to parents. Children's health needs are protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder has a very well stocked first aid box in the home and also takes a small one with her on outings. This means she is able to attend to minor injuries that may occur. The childminder has requested parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. This safeguards children in the event of a serious accident or medical emergency. All accidents are recorded in detail and shared with parents, which enables them to watch for any further symptoms which may develop. Parents give prior consent to administer medication; although any medication given is recorded, it does not contain the date it was administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and develop a healthy lifestyle. They play a wide range of ball games and enjoy a variety of equipment in the garden, such as a small swing, wheeled toys, a trampoline and a tunnel. They regularly go for walks and visit the local park where they use a range of large play equipment including slides, climbing apparatus and swings to develop their balance and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very safe environment, where risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough risk assessments to protect them from any potential hazards. For example, all cleaning materials and sharp objects are stored in cupboards and drawers with safety catches, safety gates are in place to prevent access and the toilet seat cover closes slowly automatically in order not to hurt children’s fingers. All visitors to the home during childminding hours are signed in and out. Children are extremely well supervised throughout the time they are present, due to the very good organisational skills of the childminder. Sleeping children are well protected because the childminder uses baby monitors and also checks them regularly. Children are well safeguarded by all the fire precaution equipment in place. There is a written fire evacuation procedure in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place, which is practised on a regular basis. This ensures the childminder is fully aware of how to evacuate the premises and for the children to become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised a very clear outings procedure, which ensures high priority is given to children outside of the home. She ensures children wear straps in the buggy and when

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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 walking uses reins. When travelling in the car, children use appropriate car seats for their age and size. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, as the childminder teaches them about the dangers of the roads, for example, she explains they must stop at the kerb and look both ways and if a ball goes into the road, they must leave it there.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access an excellent range of clean, quality toys. These are very attractively presented on the lounge floor and in one of the bedrooms, creating a lovely child centred environment. The childminder makes sure they are suitable for their age and stage of development. A very good range of equipment is in place, such as cots, high chairs and buggies, to meet the needs of all the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised a child protection policy, which is shared with the parents. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if there are concerns about a child. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their play in the lounge which the childminder transforms into a very inviting child orientated environment, with a wide range toys and a large colourful floor mat. This gives children a real sense of belonging and helps them to feel secure. They enthusiastically choose what they want to play with and benefit from the attention from the childminder, who clearly enjoys their company and constantly keeps them amused. There are often squeals of laughter from babies, as the childminder interacts with them in a caring and warm manner. Babies relish in their play as they explore toys which have bright colours and shake them to make different sounds. Books are accessible to children at all times and they sit in comfort on the childminder’s lap and really enjoy being read to. They like singing songs, as they play with musical toys. This greatly encourages children’s language and communication skills. They love using their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

imaginations as they play with the doll's house and use dressing up clothes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy an excellent range of activities, which encourages their creativity, such as making different sounds as they play with a wide range of musical instruments, watching the change of textures as they make biscuits and painting in various ways, including making prints using their hands and feet. Children develop social skills as they meet up with other children at toddler groups, which also enables them to access further play equipment and art activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good knowledge of child development and provides a wide range of stimulating experiences both inside and outside of the home, which helps children make continual developmental progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit significantly from the very positive partnership the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents are encouraged to stay and settle their child into the childminding setting, when they first start. This provides good opportunities for the childminder to obtain information on their child’s routines, needs, favourite toys and comforters. The childminder provides excellent information for the parents about her childminding service, which includes a profile of training she has attended, her qualifications and policies. This also includes the complaint procedures. The childminder gives verbal and written feedback to parents about their child’s day, which includes activities they have done, outings they have been on, food

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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 intakes, sleep times and nappy changes. This keeps parents very well informed about their child, whilst they are in the care of the childminder and contributes to continuity of care. Parents' questionnaires show that they think highly of the childminding service provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to accept differences through a range of play resources and books which reflect positive images of race, gender and disability. They develop an awareness of other cultures' celebrations through activities. For example, at Chinese New Year the children made a dragon. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities currently on roll. The childminder has a very a positive attitude to caring for children with disabilities and would make sure that they have a wide range of stimulating resources and enjoyable activities to help them make progress. She would work closely with the parents and other agencies involved with the child to ensure their needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a good role to children, as she talks to them in a kind and gentle manner. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement given to them by the childminder. She manages children’s behaviour appropriately, mainly through distraction into positive play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is enriched by the childminder’s enthusiasm and effective organisation. Good use is made of space to enhance children’s play and learning. Children receive the childminder’s full attention, as she dedicates her time to them, when they are present.

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Organisation

Comprehensive written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children’s needs are met very well and are used effectively to promote their welfare. All regulatory documentation and records are in place which contributes to children’s safety, health and well-being. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed.

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Organisation

The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and children benefit from her wide experience of childcare. She is committed to attending further childcare training, which keeps her up to date with changing child care practices, enabling her to provide a high quality childcare service. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it 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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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 medication records include the date medicines are administered

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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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