Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366356 Unique Reference Number 04 June 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 partner and two children aged seven and five years in Belmont in the London borough of Sutton. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except for one bedroom 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children to parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play and are cared for in clean and tidy home. They receive good support to develop personal care routines, as the childminder helps younger children to wash their hands before eating and when necessary. To prevent the risk of cross infection the childminder herself

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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 demonstrates good hygiene awareness. For example, when she is preparing foods and during nappy changing routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy balanced diet of home cooked foods, which include protein, vegetables and fruit. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with foods which meet their dietary needs. Children are provided with plenty of drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a suitably stocked first aid box. This means the childminder is able to attend to any minor injuries that may occur. Parents give prior written consent for the childminder to administer medication, which ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The sickness policy informs parents that children should not attend if they have an infectious illness in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a wide range of activities, which contribute to a healthy lifestyle and help them develop control of their bodies. Babies have plenty of space to crawl and pull themselves up onto furniture. They are helped to walk by holding onto the childminder’s hands. The well equipped garden provides children with good opportunities to use swings and a small slide and ride wheeled toys. Children receive lots of fresh air from being taken on walks regularly and visiting parks. Children's rest needs are met very well, as they sleep in comfort in a travel cot with their soft toy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and welcoming home, where they have plenty of space to play and move around freely. The childminder has taken precautions to minimise potential hazards to children. For example, safety catches are on a lower cupboard and there is a stair gate in place, but some cleaning materials are not fully inaccessible to older children. The childminder supervises children in the garden at all times to ensure their safety and the swings are fitted to the ground. The risk of accidents is reduced because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe on outings. For example, she makes sure children sit in suitable car seats and the doors are locked when travelling in vehicles. However, written parental consent to take children in the car has not been obtained for one child. Children wear appropriate restraints in the buggy and wear reins when walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a good range of clean, quality, well maintained toys and resources. The childminder makes sure they are suitable for their age and stage of development, so children can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care, but does not have the local authority safeguarding children procedures for childminders.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder’s care. Babies receive lots of warmth and affection, which supports their emotional well-being. The childminder sits on the floor and plays with children giving them high levels of guidance and support to help them achieve new

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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 skills. They get pleasure in exploring press button toys and doing simple puzzles. They enjoy looking at pictures in books with the childminder and having stories read to them. Children really like music and having songs sung to them. They attend toddler groups on a regular basis where they have opportunities to mix with other children and access further play resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a good range of activities to develop their creativity, for example, painting, sticking, play dough, colouring and drawing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as the childminder undertakes discussions with parents regarding their needs before they start. She is very respectful of parental wishes in regard to their child’s needs and daily routine. The childminder provides parents with a daily diary book giving them information about activities their child has done, food intake and sleep times. This ensures continuity of care. The childminder has devised an information booklet for parents to inform them of them of her childminding services and her policies. This includes the procedures on how to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children’s behaviour very appropriately, through distraction mainly. She is a good role model to children, as she talks to them in a kind and gentle manner. Although the childminder is not currently caring for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, through discussion she demonstrated how she would meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to learn about the local community by being taken on regular walks and visiting parks and a toddler group. Children access resources and books which promote positive images of diversity and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment in which they receive very good support from the childminder, which helps them feel secure and confident. Children have plenty of space to play and the childminder ensures they are well supervised throughout the day. Most records and documentation for the safe and effective management of children are in place. Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This contributes to children’s safety, health and welfare. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to view. 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 cleaning materials are completely inaccessible to all children and obtain parent's written permission for each minded child to be transported in a vehicle • obtain the local authority safeguarding children guidelines and procedures for childminders.

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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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