Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356497 Unique Reference Number 15 July 2008 Inspection date Beverly Hallett 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five years in the Chislehurst area of the London borough of Bromley. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning to make healthy food choices as they select from a very good variety of fruits at snack time. The childminder offers banana, strawberries, plums and clementines and the children enjoy helping themselves and developing some independence as they attempt to separate the clementine segments.

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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 Suitable cleaning routines, such as sweeping the wooden floors every day, ensure the home is suitably clean and tidy and offers children a hygienic environment in which to play. However, some areas, for example the doors and the dining chairs, have a build up of sticky finger marks or stains which gives a slightly worn appearance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to practise some suitable hygiene routines, for example they have individual flannels with which to wash their hands and faces before eating. However, very young children are not being encouraged to develop similar routines after having their nappies changed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outside play is very well used and the children really enjoy the freedom of moving indoors and out as they choose. Once outside, a very good range of toys offer them lots to explore and keep them occupied whilst they enjoy the fresh air and develop large physical skills on the climbing frames and in the sand.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play safely in a well organised environment which offers them a suitable range of places in which to play. They choose from indoors or out, and are confident in moving around the lower floor of the house, accessing toys either on the floor or from storage shelves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys are well maintained and in good condition, and the childminder further ensures children's safety by close supervision as they play. She is always aware of where the children are and divides her time between the two toddlers, keeping them busy and safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, although much work has been done to tidy the garden and make it a child friendly space, there are some brambles and plants with berries which may pose safety hazards for children playing near them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably safeguarded should there be child protection concerns as the childminder has sound knowledge, and good practices are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's stages of development are well understood by the childminder, and she uses this knowledge to ensure individual needs are met through play. For example, she understands that toddlers prefer to play alongside rather than with other children and find it difficult to share, therefore she ensures there are several of the same toy available as well as a good variety of other toys at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the choice to play inside or out and this free flow play supports them in developing independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Calm and gentle interaction by the childminder supports children's confidence in exploring the toys and activities available, and extends their learning.

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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's individual needs are well catered for as the childminder knows the children well and gathers detailed information from parents and from her own observations on their likes, dislikes and routines. This helps support a strong partnership with parents and provides consistency of care for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of right and wrong through positive behaviour strategies such as having clear and simple house rules with explanations as to the possible consequences for others if they are not followed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing some awareness of diversity as they play with dolls and other resources which offer positive images of race. However, resources which offer positive images of other areas of diversity are limited.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a well qualified and experienced childminder who works with parents to meet their needs. She keeps up to date with current practices through training and by accessing information from professional organisations such as the NCMA.

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Organisation

A certificate of registration is displayed and a clear and accurate record of attendance is maintained. Required records and documentation for the safe management of the provision are in place and stored confidentially. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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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 gardening routines are in place to keep plants such as brambles and plants with berries cut • ensure children develop routines which encourage their awareness of personal hygiene from a very early age

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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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