Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY352775 Unique Reference Number 16 June 2008 Inspection date Pauline King 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 two children aged ten and five years. They live in a two bed roomed terraced house in a suburb of the London Borough of Croydon. They are located near to shops, local schools and transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding; children will also have access to the children’s bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for five children on a part time basis after school. The childminder drives to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Children are happy and cared for in a clean home where they learn about good hygiene practice. They understand why washing their hands can reduce the risk of cross infection. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through discussions between the childminder and parents that ensure their dietary needs are met. For example, the childminder keeps written records of children's allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder keeps a written record of children's medication they may need and written permission from parents to administer medication, which ensures that children's health needs are met and information can be effectively shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities in the garden and outings to local parks, which contribute to their good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit by being cared for in an environment, where space is well organised to meet their needs and enable them to play freely. The childminder takes effective safety precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accidents. For example, safety gate fitted to kitchen to prevent children gaining access unsupervised. However, some safety issues have not been addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make independent choices from a range of age appropriate play items, which are safe and well maintained. They enjoy a good amount of clear play space. There is a good variety of equipment to support the individual needs of children. For example, puzzles, construction toys, imaginative play materials and books to increase children’s development. The childminder supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, when using the computer.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good understanding of fire evacuation procedure and practise with the children to ensure they are familiar with the procedure in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is not protected because the childminder does not have all the required documents to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder has not obtained a copy of Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves in a happy, homely environment. The childminder is kind and caring and supports children's emotional well-being. She gives them encouragement and praise, enabling the children's confidence and independence to develop. Children have access to a wide variety of play materials; they make their own decisions about what they do, which enables them to extend their learning and experiences. For example, using the computer, imaginative play and doing school home work. The childminder rotates toys and makes suggestion of different activities to maintain children's interest and to help keep their play provision fresh.

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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 They have opportunities throughout the week to mix with other children as they all attend school, visit local parks and library. This enables them to develop their social skills, confidence and experience different environments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met, because parent’s views are sought and the childminder takes on board any concerns they have, and adapts the care provided to meet their wishes and the child's needs. For example, the childminder finds out if the children have any special dietary or cultural needs. Children have access to a wide range of activities offered and the childminder makes sure resources are available, that promote a positive view of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder uses age appropriate strategies to deal with negative behaviour. Children's self esteem is raised by use of praise by the childminder. The childminder discusses children's progress of development with parents at the beginning and end of each day. The consistency of care enhances children’s security and promotes their well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an understanding of her role in relation to complaints. However, there is no system in place to record any complaints made.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Appropriate checks for suitability were carried out at registration. The children feel at home and at ease within the friendly environment. The childminder displays her certificate of registration, which reassures parents that she is complying with her conditions. Children's confidence and independence is supported by the childminder's daily routine. The childminder dedicates her time and attention to the children when they are present.

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Organisation

Children have sufficient space because the environment is organised to make the most of the available space, for children's play opportunities and care needs.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps most of the required records that contribute to children's health and well-being. She shares them with parents, which keeps them informed about the care that is provided. However, some documents have not been up dated or fully completed.

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Organisation

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 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 dangerous substances and all electric wires in lounge and main bedroom are made safe or inaccessible to children and garden is made secure • obtain a copy of Safeguarding Children Board • devising a system to record any complaints made by parents

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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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