Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274397 Unique Reference Number 12 August 2008 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner, who is also a registered childminder and their two children aged 10 years and 14 years old in a two bedroom house situated on a residential street in the London borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's house is used for minding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 under eight years old at any one time. During term time, the childminder cares for three children under five years old. No children were present during the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local children's groups.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of how children's health is best promoted within this environment. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's medical and dietary requirements and allergies. She describes how children would learn about their personal hygiene through their daily routines such as encouraging them to wash their hands before eating and after using the potty/toilet. Children, she says, have individual towels on which to dry their hands to help to reduce the risk of cross infection, individual travel cots in which to sleep and their own sheets and blankets. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, this allows her to care for children appropriately in the event of a minor accident. However, written parental consent has not been sought from all the parents of the children attending in order to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of ensuring children eat healthily, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. Children's preferences are discussed with parents at the start of each placement and their wishes are respected. For example, one of the children attending is a vegetarian; the childminder clearly demonstrated how she meets the individual needs of this child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates how children have daily opportunities to receive fresh air and engage in physical activities. A wooden climbing frame in the garden ensures that children have opportunities to develop their balance and climbing skills. The childminder does not drive when minded children are present and therefore walking is her main way of getting around in the local community. This ensures that children have regular exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder organises the available space well to ensure that there is sufficient space available for children to move around freely. For example, she has cleared the living room to ensure that there is enough floor area free of furniture for the children. The childminder ensures that toys and equipment are organised in order that children can have easy access to them. The equipment seen is age appropriate for the children for whom the childminder is registered to care and it is safe and in good condition. Resources are stored in baskets and on shelves and are sufficient in quality. Suitable sleeping and eating equipment is available for each child so they can eat and sleep in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. She explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety through discussions about road safety. Appropriate fire fighting equipment is in place to help ensure children’s safety in the event of a fire; the childminder has devised and practised an emergency escape plan which assists children's safe evacuation in the event of a fire on the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates through discussion how she promotes and safeguards children’s welfare. She has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. She knows what procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child’s welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discussed how she ensures that children have good opportunities to engage in age appropriate activities. She says she ensures that children have good opportunities to play with other children which helps them to develop their social skills. She explains how she encourages children in her care to choose what cereals they would like when they arrive as a way of encouraging their independence and building on their language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates how she helps children to enjoy and achieve whilst in her care. She demonstrates how she knows and meets the needs of the children in her care, for example, some children especially enjoy playing with the train set whilst others enjoy playing with the musical instruments and the play people. She states that she ensures that children have sufficient room to play independently with their chosen activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion, the childminder describes how she ensures that every child in her care feels valued and included. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and shows an awareness of the individual needs of the children for whom she cares, for example, she demonstrates how she meets children's individual needs by providing age appropriate activities. The childminder states that children are given the opportunity to explore their community as they visit the local vibrant market. Here they are able to experience a rich world of different cultures including food and traditional dress. Some of the play materials and resources that the childminder provides, reflect positive images of all aspects of society, however, there is a lack of resources which promote disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she approaches a variety of situations for children of different ages. There are appropriate methods used to work with parents; they are offered daily verbal and written feedback. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive information about their children's care. Letters seen from parents who have used the childminder in the past describe how happy they were with the care that she offered. They suggest that the childminder has been a "key part" of their child's life and thank her for her "time and energy". The childminder demonstrates some but not all aspects of the complaints regulation and has a complaints log.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works from an organised home and demonstrates well how her daily routines help to promote children's welfare. The childminder demonstrates how she meets children's individual needs appropriately. Resources available are suitable and sufficient for children but there is a lack of equipment that promotes disability.

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Organisation

The required documentation is in place to promote children’s health and well-being, however, not all parents have given written permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder ensures children's records are up to date including her record of attendance, this also helps to promote children's welfare. All documentation relating to minded children was readily available for inspection.

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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 Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, improve her knowledge and understanding of requirements set out in regulation relating to complaints and to ensure that records are made available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a first aid course and now holds a valid first aid certificate. She has developed her knowledge of some aspects of the complaints procedures, but does not yet have a secure understanding of the regulations, this has been addressed at this inspection. All records were made available for inspection, as required.

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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 parental permission is requested at the start of each new placement to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • provide a range of resources which positively promotes disabilities • continue to develop knowledge and understanding of the complaints procedure in line with regulations.

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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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