Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349840 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date 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 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 lives, with her husband and three year old son, in an extended three bedroom house in Plumstead. The house is located a short distance from Plumstead Common. Local shops, schools and pre-schools are all close by. Children have use of the whole of the ground floor of the house for their play space. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2007 and her husband is her assistant. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight at any one time and there are currently three children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean, bright, warm and welcoming home. They have plenty of indoor space in which to play. Although the garden cannot currently be used, the childminder makes sure that children have good opportunities for physical play in the fresh air

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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 by taking children on regular outings to local parks. Children also enjoy regular outings to toddler groups and to the Toddler's World Gym.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. They are protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder has good arrangements in place when dealing with children's personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of the need to record accidents and medication and has the National Childminding Association Record Book in place for this purpose. However, to date minor bumps have not been recorded. All required medical consent forms are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the range of healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder, who is happy to provide meals or to serve food parents provide, if this is their preference. She makes sure that she discusses children's dietary requirements with parents and she provides parents with sample menus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's comfortable and well organised home. They enjoy playing with the good range of good quality books and toys provided, and are able to safely access most of these for themselves, from the storage units in the living room. The childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment of her home and has successfully minimised all identified hazards. As a result children are able to move freely and safely around the whole of the ground floor and quickly become confident and independent. For example, as they take themselves to the toilet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to keep children safe from harm and neglect because she has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility for child protection. She knows when and how to make a referral to children's services and ensures that her procedures comply with those of the Local Safeguarding Children board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's warm and attentive care. They are confident and gaining independence. They enjoy playing with the toys and activities provided and they relate well to the childminder. For example younger children go to her readily for a cuddle and older children chat happily to her about their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her day around the needs of the children in her care, for example, she makes sure that younger ones have time to rest and sleep and plans activities for older ones at this time. Children benefit from outings to local toddler groups and enjoy taking part in activities at home, such as art and craft work or cooking activities. During the visit the younger children enjoyed playing with bricks, shape sorters and musical instruments which had been set out for them on a rug in the living room. Older children came confidently into the childminder's home after nursery and immediately settled to play while chatting happily with the childminder.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with good quality care according to their individual needs. The childminder takes time to talk to parents about the family background, including their religion, culture and home language so that she has a clear picture of each child. She welcomes children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties and works with parents to ensure that all children receive good support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They have helped the childminder to draw up some simple house rules which helps them to understand what behaviours are acceptable. The childminder uses distraction to good effect with the youngest children and remembers to praise children who behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good arrangements in place to promote good partnerships with parents. Contracts and consent forms underpin all arrangements and children's records are securely stored and, where appropriate, shared with parents. In addition the childminder spends time each day sharing information with parents which helps to ensure good continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is well organised and this contributes well to the overall health, safety and well-being of the children. She ensures that children are under her direct supervision and has good arrangements in place to cover emergencies. It was agreed at this inspection to register her husband as an assistant. The home is well organised and provides a safe, secure and accessible environment for children, routines are arranged around the needs of the individual children in the childminder's care, and a good range of toys and activities ensure that children enjoy their play.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and she ensures that required documentation is in place, routinely up-dated and securely stored. A set of policies and procedures is in place and shared with parents and this includes a complaints process, although the details of how to contact Ofsted are not currently included.

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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): • make sure that even minor bumps and bruises are recorded in the accident book • make sure that parents are given information about how to contact Ofsted

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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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