Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358797 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2008 Inspection date Teresa Evelina Lucas 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 six and eight years. They live in a three bedroomed house in Bexleyheath in the London borough of Bexley. The premises is close to shops, schools and parks and Bexleyheath main line train station. Children have access to the lounge and dining room for play and there is also an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Household pets are two cats and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently two children on roll, aged three and 19 months.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Most aspects of children's health and well-being are promoted because the childminder has satisfactory procedures in place to protect children from the spread of infection and the risk

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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 of illness. These include ensuring that her home is clean and informing parents that she does not accept children who are unwell. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. For example, the childminder asks them if they have remembered to flush the toilet and wash their hands after using the toilet. However, children are not fully protected from the risk of cross infection because hygienic nappy changing procedures are not in place. This is because nappies are changed directly on the carpet, rather than using a changing surface such as a changing mat. In addition, she does not ensure that she washes her hands after nappy changing. Children are protected if there is an accident and emergency because parental consent for

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Helping children to be healthy

seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is in place and the childminder has completed paediatric first aid training. In addition, appropriate systems for recording medication and recording accidents are in place. Children's physical health is promoted because children enjoy regular opportunities to enjoy vigorous play. For example, during the inspection they enjoyed playing in the garden, especially jumping on the trampoline and playing a game of football with the childminder. Outdoor activities also include going to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of healthy eating, for example, the importance of providing a balanced, nutritious diet. Children benefit from home cooked meals such as lasagne or sausage, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Children are offered healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and benefit from regular drinks throughout the day. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements, including allergies, with parents and ensures that she records this information on individual child record forms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play together safely in a comfortable, child-friendly environment. Children's safety is generally promoted because the childminder carries out risk assessments and ensures that most appropriate safety precautions are in place. These include the use of fireguards and safety glass. Safety gates at the kitchen entrance and foot of the stairs mean that the children can generally move freely and safely between the two rooms. However, there is a potential risk to children's safety as some dangerous items such as cleaning products are currently stored in a low-level cupboard. In addition, although the garden is generally safe there are currently some ladders propped up against the wall on the patio area and there is a danger that these may fall over. Young children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder gently reminds them to bite off small pieces of fruit at a time, to be careful when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

playing on the trampoline and to avoid throwing the sand in the sandpit, in case it gets in their eyes. Children's safety on outings is promoted because the childminder does seek written parental consent for taking children on outings and for the use of the car and the childminder has business insurance cover in place. Children's safety in the event of a fire is generally promoted because smoke alarms and a fire blanket are available and the childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure that she practises with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of age appropriate resources, including books and puzzles, as well as resources for creative and imaginative play. The selection of toys is regularly varied and this enables children to take part in a range of activities. They are able to help themselves to some resources and consequently, are gaining in independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the risk of the abuse because the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities. This includes an awareness of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the action to take if she has a concern about a child in her

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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 care. She is aware of local procedures, has a written child protection procedure, knows that she must record any concerns and ensures that all necessary contact details, such as those for Children's Services and Ofsted, are available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a varied daily routine that includes time for play, rest, meals, and outings. They enjoy playing with a broad range of well organised resources, some of which are stored accessibly. As a result, children are flourishing in a very homely, relaxed atmosphere. They appear happy and settled and are learning to make independent choices. The childminder's sound understanding of children's individual play needs helps to ensure that activities are age-appropriate and promote children's development. Children are becoming confident because the childminder gives them individual time and attention and involves herself in their play, for example, as they play with the play dough together and enjoy a game of football in the garden. Their language development is progressing well because the childminder chats to them, asks them questions and names the colours and encourages them to find and match the right colour

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

lid for each play dough container. Younger children are making progress because the childminder repeats sounds that they have made and encourages them to repeat words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interactions are very good and, as a result, children enjoy close, affectionate relationships with the childminder, who clearly enjoys their company and treats them like part of her family. For example, they enjoy lots of cuddles with her and sit on her lap and enjoy a story together. Consequently, children settle easily and quickly and appear very much at home in their surroundings. They have lots of fun, for example as they jump and bounce on the trampoline and clearly enjoy the time they spend at the childminder's home. Children's individual needs are fully met because the childminder makes sure that she gets to know them well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's sound understanding of equal opportunities ensures that she treats children equally and takes accounts of their individual needs. She does this by discussing all aspects of children's care at the start of a minding arrangement and recording the information appropriately. Children benefit from this approach, both in terms of their physical and emotional needs and their developmental and play needs because it ensures that these are sensitively and consistently met. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to inclusion and caring for a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children are beginning to learn about others in the community because they have access to some multi-cultural resources such as books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnerships with parents are maintained through regular discussions. Partnership with parents is also promoted through ensuring that all necessary written parental consents, such as for outings and use of the car and for seeking emergency medical treatment, are in place. Written contracts also help to ensure a consistent approach to children's care. However, although the childminder has some understanding of the requirements under the National Standards relating to the complaints procedure, parents are not provided with accurate information of what to do if they have a complaint. This is because although the childminder understands the need to keep a written log of any complaints received, an appropriate recording procedure has not yet been fully developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 A consistent approach to behaviour management is achieved through a written behaviour management policy and by talking to parents about how they manage their child's behaviour. As a result of the childminder's good understanding of age appropriate behaviour management strategies such as praise and encouragement, reasoning and explanation and distraction and redirection, children behave well. They are learning to share and play cooperatively, beginning to understand right from wrong and are developing good self-esteem.

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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 comfortable, warm and welcoming and play space is sufficient for the number of children the childminder is registered for. The childminder provides a varied daily routine that includes time for rest, indoor and outdoor play, meals and outings. Resources are regularly varied and are accessibly organised so that children have opportunities to choose what they want to play with, according to their individual interests.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a generally satisfactory knowledge and understanding of most of the records that must be kept in order to provide appropriate care. These include accident and medication records, children's details, contracts with parents and signed parental permissions. However, although the childminder keeps a record of children's attendance, this is currently not fully accurate. This is because she records contracted times, rather than the actual times children are present and does not complete the record on a daily basis.

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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 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):

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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 • review nappy changing procedures in order to protect children from the risk of cross infection • make all potentially dangerous items such as cleaning products in the kitchen and the ladders in the patio area of the garden safe and inaccessible to children • develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow for complaints, in line with revisions made to the National Standards in October 2005. Provide parents with up-to-date information of what to do if they have a complaint • ensure that the attendance record is completed on a daily basis. Record actual hours of children's attendance, rather than contracted times.

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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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