Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242472 Unique Reference Number 29 July 2008 Inspection date Teresa Evelina Lucas / Jeannette Waring 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her four children, two of whom are adults, and two aged six and 10 years. The family live in a house in Lee, in the London borough of Lewisham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The first floor is not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time when she is working alone. When an assistant is present she can look after a maximum of six children. Presently there are seven children on roll, aged from one year to seven years, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. Procedures are in place that help to protect children from the risk of the spread of infection and illness. These include informing parents that the childminder does not accept children when they are unwell and

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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 practising hygienic handwashing and nappy changing procedures. The childminder and her assistant hold up-to-date first aid qualifications and prior written parental consent is in place for seeking emergency medical treatment. There are appropriate systems for keeping clear accident and medication records. These measures help to ensure that children are protected in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder records all relevant information about children's dietary requirements, such as allergies and religious and cultural considerations, so that she can provide an appropriate diet. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating, for example, snacks of fruit. Children's health is also promoted because they are offered regular drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have some opportunities for physical play and exercise as the daily routine includes outdoor play. They have access to some outdoor play equipment in the garden. However, the range of equipment is somewhat limited and not sufficiently well organised to facilitate play, especially for the younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a secure and generally safe environment, with designated areas for indoor and outdoor play, sleep and meals. However, although the total space available is sufficient, the playspace available to the children in the conservatory area is quite limited and so restricts their play, at times. An adequate range of resources is available to the children in the conservatory area, though it is difficult for children to access these freely as most are stored out of their reach. This sometimes limits the children's play opportunities. As a result, they become restless and quite fractious at times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe because the childminder has identified most potential risks in her home, such as preventing children's access to the kitchen and ensuring that all hazardous materials are safely stored. However, the glass in the garden shed is unprotected and this poses a potential risk to children. In addition, a large fan is stored in the conservatory. Although the fan is not generally in use when children are present it is stored in close proximity to where the children play. Fire safety is satisfactorily promoted because there are smoke alarms and a fire blanket in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her child protection responsibilities and of the action to take if she has any concerns. For example, she is aware that she must inform Children's Services and Ofsted if she is worried that a child in her care may be being abused. She has taken steps to ensure that she is aware of changes made relating to child protection and safeguarding and is currently attending recent training. However, she has not yet received up-to-date information, such as local safeguarding procedures, including contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear generally content and settled at the childminder's home. The daily routine is consistent and includes time for meals, rest and outdoor and indoor play. Activities are not formally planned as the childminder states that she tends to organise play activities depending on the children's moods. Although, this sometimes means that some activities are not always meaningful or developmentally appropriate, children greatly enjoy taking part in spontaneous

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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 activities. For example, they laugh and giggle together as they take part in a ring game and participate eagerly in 'We're going on a bearhunt' in the garden. However, the lack of planning makes it harder to ensure that children take part in a balanced range of activities across all areas of play on a regular basis, for example, creative play. Children benefit from warm relationships with the childminder and her assistant who know them well and show awareness of their individual needs. As a result, they are growing in confidence. Children readily approach both adults, who are kind and friendly towards them. However, although children are able to access a small range of resources, the organisation of resources means that their opportunities to make independent choices are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. There are suitable arrangements in place for finding out about children's individual needs. For example, the childminder discusses all aspects of children's needs at the start of all minding arrangements and records this information on appropriate forms. The childminder demonstrates awareness of children's family backgrounds and cultures, for example, the language they speak at home. Children benefit from the childminder's positive approach to inclusion, including caring for a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has some experience in this area and is welcoming to all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes a positive partnership with parents by having regular discussions and giving verbal feedback. Parents are given some written information about the setting in the form of a folder of policies and procedures, which the childminder shares with the parents. However, although the childminder is aware of the need to keep a complaints log, information for parents about what to do if they have a complaint is inaccurate, because it does not fully reflect revisions to the National Standards made in October 2005.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children generally behave well, although there are occasions when limited resources and the organisation of these impacts on their behaviour. For example, children have disagreements because they want to play with the same toy. However, the childminder and her assistant demonstrate a consistent approach to children's behaviour. Both have realistic expectations and, as a result, manage children's behaviour satisfactorily. Consequently, children respond well to them as they help them to resolve their minor conflicts, for example, they encourage the children to share, take turns and play nicely together.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The setting is generally comfortable and welcoming and children appear secure in the daily routine. However, the organisation of space and resources and the planning of activities does not always ensure that children are able to take part in a balanced range of activities or can access suitable resources easily. Two potential risks to children's safety have been identified, relating to an electric fan in the conservatory and unprotected glass in the garden shed windows.

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Organisation

The childminder understands her responsibilities to the children in her care and ensures that everyone in the household aged over 16 years and her assistant have been suitably vetted. All necessary written documentation required by the National Standards is in place and is generally accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted. The childminder has appropriate systems in

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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 place to record attendance, accidents and medication. Attendance is accurately recorded and the attendance record includes children's hours of attendance, together with the names and hours of attendance of the adults caring for them. Records are shared with parents and written contracts are drawn up. The childminder has introduced some written policies and procedures that give information about the service she provides and shares these with parents. However, although the childminder is aware that she must keep a record of any complaints received from parents, the information given to parents about the complaints procedure is inaccurate, because it does not fully reflect requirements.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended some recent training to ensure that her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues is up-to-date. This includes a safeguarding children course and an introduction to the new Early Years Foundation Stage. However, up-to-date local safeguarding procedures including contact details were not available.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the provision was judged to be inadequate and Ofsted took enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of the children. Two actions to improve were given. These related to ensuring that the childminder does not care for more children than stated on her registration certificate at times when her assistant is not present and keeping a daily record of the persons looking after the children. The childminder took appropriate action and informed Ofsted of how she had addressed the actions and Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit. Although the previous issues had been satisfactorily addressed, a further action was set because the childminder had employed a new assistant, but had not ensured that vetting procedures had been completed before leaving minded children in her care. A further action was set and the necessary vetting procedures have now been completed. These measures help

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Improvements since the last inspection

to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 all up-to-date documentation relating to child/protection is available. This should include Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and contact information

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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 • make the fan in the conservatory inaccessible to children and make the glass in the garden shed windows safe • review the organisation of the daily routine, space and resources so that children can access a suitable range of age appropriate resources. Ensure that children have sufficient playspace so that they can play together comfortably • ensure that children can take part in a broad range of activities that support their development in all areas of their play and learning • develop awareness of requirements in regulations relating to complaints procedures, in line with revisions made to the National Standards in October 2005. Ensure that parents are provided with up-to-date information of what to do if they have a complaint.

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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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