Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364684 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2008 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 satisfactory. 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 lives with her daughter aged 21 months in the London Borough of Southwark. The whole of the childminder's house, except for two bedrooms on the first floor, is used for childminding.

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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 five children under five years, all of whom attend on a part time basis and one child over five years after school only. The childminder collects children from local schools, attends the local parent/carer and toddler groups and takes children to the library and local parks.

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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 good. Young children engage in a very good range of activities that contribute to their good health and gives them the opportunity to practise and develop their physical skills. They respond and move enthusiastically when acting out well know action songs. For example, they show good coordination when jumping and are beginning to learn new skills such as hopping. Visits to places of interest, such as, the butterfly exhibition gives children plenty opportunity to explore a spider's web, developing their balance and coordination and gain new experiences, such as using a 'zip fly'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive varied and nutritious meals and snacks, including a range of fresh fruits and salad vegetables. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a very young age. However, the childminder does not ensure that cooked foods are allowed to cool to an appropriate temperature before it is given to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in a clean environment and the childminder has effective procedures in most areas to prevent cross infection. Parents receive written information about the sickness policy and children receive good support to develop good personal hygiene routines from an early age. For example, washing their hands after activities and before eating. However, all children share the same towel when drying their hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a safe and secure environment where they have easy access to an extensive range of good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has taken positive steps to reduce risks and hazards to children inside the home. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder and children regularly practise emergency evacuation. This helps children to become familiar with the procedures so they learn to leave the premises quickly and safely. There are clear procedures for outings that ensure children's safety in most areas. For example, parents give prior written consent to outings and travelling in a vehicle. The childminder has devised a lost child procedure and outings procedure and children have appropriate use of car seats which are suitable for their age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, the childminder has not yet changed her car insurance so that it includes business use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder is fully aware of the different types of abuse and signs to look for. She has sound knowledge and understanding of the procedure to follow with any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young children are achieving extremely well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of how children develop and learn to provide high quality activities. Children are captivated, interested and keen to learn as they access an extensive range of resources which support their all round development. They play happily with each

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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 other and the childminder, learning to share and take turns. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to develop a strong sense of self. Children's spoken language is developing extremely well, supported through high quality adult-child interaction. For example, the childminder introduces rhyming words and songs during children's play. Children listen intently to stories and the childminder acknowledges and repeats children's responses ensuring that the words are correctly pronounced. Children use their imagination as they excitedly act out well known songs. They begin to make sense of the world around them as they play with small world equipment and visit places of interest, such as, the butterfly exhibition where they explore nature and learn about how things work. Children express their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ideas as they join in sensory experiences such as playing with dough and finger painting. They use a range of small equipment that helps to develop their finer motor skills. The childminder makes excellent use of everyday activities to enable children to make progress in their learning. For example, children learn about numbers, shapes, colours and making patterns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of the local community and acquire knowledge of the environment through regular trips, outings and visits to children's groups. They have access to a sufficient range of resources that reflect positive images of all aspects of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They learn important social skills, such as sharing during activities and daily routines. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management. She manages children's behaviour calmly and patiently. This helps children to understand right from wrong and encourages them to respond effectively to any guidance and praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents contribute to an initial assessment of their child and the childminder completes a daily diary for parents, giving information about their child's development, daily activities, food intake, nappy change and sleep. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder has effective systems in place to ensure that she gathers all relevant information. This ensures that the childminder has good knowledge of individual needs and parents are kept well informed about their children. A good two way flow of information ensures continuity of care. Parents receive information about the childminder's policies and procedures. For example, they receive sufficient information about the complaints procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration. The childminder is providing care for three children under five years and using a bedroom on the first floor when not registered to do so. However, this does not have a significant impact on children's safety, enjoyment or achievement. Children play in a well organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel confident and secure. The childminder shows a clear understanding in her role in supporting the children in their play and learning and carries out regular risk assessment to ensure children's safety.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended all required training, such as first aid. Her written policies and procedure guide her in her practice and these are shared with parents. Information kept about children is relevant and helps to promote their health, safety and welfare. All the required documentation is in place, readily available for inspection and accurately maintained. For

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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 example, registration systems note the children's arrival and departure times and the accident records are countersigned by the parents.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 satisfactory. 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 that cooked foods are cool to an appropriate temperature before it is given to the children • improve hand drying facilities • ensure that the car insurance includes business use • ensure that the conditions of registration are adhered to at all times. In this case, restrictions regarding number and ages of children and areas to be used for childminding

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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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