Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360118 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2008 Inspection date Elizabeth Anne Coffey 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 to care for children since 2007. She lives with her partner and two children, aged 17 months and seven years. The premises is a two bedroom, fourth floor flat in Forest Hill, in the London borough of Lewisham. Access to the premises is via a communal lift or stairs. Children use the lounge and hallway as their main play space. There is no garden, but children use the communal grounds and local parks and play areas for supervised outdoor play. There are no pets.

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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 at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under eight years and one child over eight years. The childminder is intending to employ her partner as her assistant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted. Daily outdoor play is planned in the communal grounds and on trips to local parks and playgrounds. Further opportunities for children to exercise and keep

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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 fit are provided as they join the music and movement sessions with the childminder in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet. A written menu plan is provided for parents. The childminder identifies individual children's dietary needs and likes and dislikes. Fresh drinking water is provided throughout the day. The childminder prepares freshly cooked meals which children eat at the table in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good hygiene practices help to promote the health of children and minimise cross-infection. There are suitable hand washing and toileting facilities available and the childminder ensures that all bodily fluids are dealt with in a safe, hygienic manner. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate record keeping systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. A first aid kit is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children freely access a range of toys and resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Equipment is stored mainly in a large stacking storage unit in the lounge where children can help themselves to toys and games. Children learn how to behave in a manner that ensures their own and other's safety. For example, when out of the home, they are reminded to stay close to the childminder and not to run off. They learn the importance of road safety as they practise crossing the road in a manner that promotes their own and other's safety. The childminder interacts with and supervises the children well, for example, showing them how to hold musical instruments they are playing with away from their faces to prevent them hurting themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is generally well promoted. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to identify and deal with most hazards in the home. Cleaning materials and dangerous utensils are stored out of children's reach. A stair gate is used to prevent children gaining access to the kitchen. Socket covers are used to protect children from electrical sockets. Although a fire blanket is available this is not accessible in the kitchen. This does not promote fire safety. Furthermore, the childminder has not devised or practised an emergency evacuation plan. This is of particular importance, as the childminder lives in a fourth floor flat. Safe evacuation in the event of a fire requires careful planning to ensure the safety of children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm by the childminder, who has a sound knowledge of child protection and understands her responsibilities in the event of a concern. Written referral procedures are available to guide the childminder in the event of a child protection concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy an interesting range of activities and play experiences whilst in the childminder's care. They make very good use of local parks and playgrounds and enjoy trips to an range of venues, such as libraries, drop in sessions, soft play centres and museums.

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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 Children play harmoniously together and enjoy the company of the childminder and her family. They willingly come to the childminder's home and are settled and confident in her care. The childminder interacts in a calm and friendly manner with the children. She shows a genuine interest in each child and knows their individual needs well. She sits on the floor and plays with them, encouraging them as they complete puzzles and share story books. She eagerly joins in a music and dance session with them and the children laugh and giggle with glee as they dance and move about the room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's communication and language skills are enhanced as the childminder chats to them throughout the day. They learn to identify and name different colours and numbers as they read, sing and join in action rhymes with the childminder. Children's imagination and creativity is fostered as they play with home corner equipment, toy cars, mini beasts and dolls. They eagerly join in art and craft activities, such as painting and sticking, and samples of the children's artwork are stored in a file to share with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well known and met. They are learning about diversity through their access to resources which reflect positive images, such as dolls, books and play figures. They are all encouraged to freely access resources, with both boys and girls actively encouraged to experience the wealth and breadth of the play resources and activities on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there are no children currently attending with learning disabilities and/or difficulties, the childminder demonstrates an interest in supporting and working with children with additional needs. She has a sound understanding of the developmental milestones from birth to eight years. She understands the importance of working closely with parents and other agencies to help support children to ensure their needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they are learning to be kind and considerate to their peers. They are learning to negotiate, to share and to give and take. Children are encouraged to share resources and to work together, for example, taking turns to use the different musical instruments on offer. This helps develop children's awareness of fairness and cooperation. The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour based on their age and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is sound. Written policies and procedures covering all aspects of the childminding service are made available to parents. Appropriate parental consents are obtained, for example, with regard to taking photos and seeking emergency medical assistance for children. Children's individual care needs are recorded and good verbal feedback at the time of collection ensures continuity of care. Parent questionnaires are effectively used to record parental feedback on the service provided. The praise and recognition of the quality of the service provided, as experienced by parents and their children, is noteworthy. Parents comment that the childminder is 'calm and natural with their child'. Furthermore older children have the opportunity to feedback on their experience with the childminder and comments include 'she makes boring things fun' and 'I feel good with how she treats me and she is never

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is enhanced by effective and efficient organisation. They enjoy an environment where they receive appropriate adult support from the childminder to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder organises her daily routine around the children's needs. The day is well planned to accommodate journeys to and from school and to allow the children adequate time to rest, play and eat.

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Organisation

The childminder intends to employ her partner as her assistant. This will provide additional adult support and also allow the childminder to plan outings and school journeys more effectively.

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Organisation

The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced. A written portfolio gives parents information about the operational details of the service. Most required documentation and systems for recording are in place, although the attendance register does not accurately record the hours that children attend. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities as a registered childminder. Information is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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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): • improve fire safety by ensuring that the fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen and by devising and practising an emergency evacuation plan • ensure that the attendance register records the actual hours and days that children attend.

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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 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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