Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356376 Unique Reference Number 23 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 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 has been registered since May 2007. She works from the home of another childminder in Raynes Park in the London borough of Merton. All of the ground floor except the kitchen is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children when minding alone. She is currently caring for three children on a part-time basis. The childminder regularly works with another childminder. They are currently caring for seven children on a part-time basis. The childminders also care for children over eight years of age.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drops children off and picks them up from the local school, she also takes children to the local library, parks and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of 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. The children are cared for in a warm and caring environment where they learn to follow good daily hygiene procedures. Children receive good support to develop their personal hygiene skills. They learn the importance of hand washing after toileting and before meals to prevent the spread of infection. Effective hygiene procedures followed by the childminder protect children from the spread of infection. For example, children excluded for first 24 hours if infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parents and records children's likes, dislikes, religious requirements and any allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's general physical development as she ensures they use the garden daily and have plenty of walks. The childminder takes them to the local common and local toddler group to enjoy the large play apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected and cared for in a safe home where the childminder identifies and minimises most risks. However, some safety issues need to be addressed. For example, a fireguard was not in place. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children learn how to cross roads safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further assured because the childminder has a written emergency evacuation plan, which is practised regularly with children to ensure they are familiar with the procedure in the event of a fire. However, the date of when these are carried out and time taken are not included in records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from a good range of age appropriate toys and play materials, 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, a play house and creative play to encourage children's development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has all the required documents to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a copy of local authority guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves and have fun in a happy, homely environment. The childminder is kind and caring and supports children's emotional well-being. For example, the childminder was very patiently coaxing children to look at and try different activities to increase their creative development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities throughout the week to mix with other children as the childminder takes them to school and toddler group. This enables them to develop their social

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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 and confidence and experience different environments. The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive plenty of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a variety of good age appropriate play materials and they make their own decisions about what they do. They enjoy playing with these, especially drawing, cutting and gluing. The childminder rotates toys regularly to maintain children's interest and to keep their play provision fresh. She makes suggestions for things that children might like to do and responds to their interests. For example, children enjoy actively interacting with the story which extends their knowledge, understanding and language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children with respect and uses lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem, which contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. Children become aware of their own and other cultures due to the childminder's positive attitude towards diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good partnership with parents. The childminder discusses the children’s requirements with parents and provides them with written individual daily diaries, written observation of children's progress and verbal feedback 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. The childminder provides parents with the contact details of Ofsted as the regulator of childcare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Appropriate checks for suitability were carried out at registration.

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Organisation

The children feel at home within the friendly environment. The childminder dedicates her time and attention fully to the children when they are present. Children have good 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

All regulatory documentation for the safe and effective management of children is in place, and includes a range of written policies and procedures, which contributes to children's health, safety and well being. For example, the accident book, register and children's details are accurately maintained. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed for parents to see and detailed information kept on children is well maintained, in a confidential manner and made available for inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements 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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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 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 the written emergency escape plan includes the date and time taken to evacuate the premises • ensure the gas fire is made safe or inaccessible to children

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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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