Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349734 Unique Reference Number 24 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 has been registered since 2007. She co-childminds with her mother at her mother's home. Her mother lives, with her teenage son and nine year old grandson, in a three bedroom house situated in a quiet residential street in Lewisham. Local shops, schools, parks and pre-schools are located close by, and Hither Green main line train station is within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one of the first floor bedrooms is used by children who need to sleep. There is also an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The only pet is a rabbit housed in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight when minding alone and, when minding together with her co-minder, a maximum of six children may be cared for at any one time. An assistant also works with the childminder on some occasions. Currently there are seven children on roll, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she holds an NVQ3 in childcare.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home. The rooms used are warm and bright and the large windows, which reach to the floor, allow even the youngest children to see into the garden. There are good arrangements in place to protect children from the risk of cross-infection. For example, each child who sleeps during the day has clean bedding daily, and the childminder has a clear understanding of good hygiene routines when dealing with children's personal care. In addition, children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene as they learn to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is able to care for children in the event of an accident because she has an up to date first aid certificate, makes sure her first aid box is fully stocked, and takes basic first aid supplies with her on outings. A health and hygiene policy is in place and clear accident and medication records are maintained and routinely shared with parents. This helps to promote continuity of care for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for physical play in the garden, where they enjoy using the climbing frame and wheeled toys. In addition, children benefit from outings to local parks and weekly visits to a toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of healthy and nutritious, home cooked meals and snacks. The childminder has drawn up a two week menu plan which is displayed for parents and she always ensures that she has details of children's individual dietary needs. She also completes a daily record sheet for parents detailing what children have eaten. The provision of a water cooler in the dining area enables older children to help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and secure in the warm, welcoming, and child-friendly environment. Children are able to move confidently about their play-space because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment and has effectively minimised all of the identified hazards within the house. Children have use of the whole of the open plan ground floor except the kitchen, which is gated off from the play space. Because of ranch style banisters on the landing, first floor rooms are not used, except to sleep babies in cots. A good range of toys and equipment is provided and children are able to access many of the toys for themselves as they are stored in low level units. This encourages children to become independent. The securely fenced garden provides children with good opportunities for outdoor play and the garden is generally safe and secure. However, safety is not completely assured because the garden shed was not able

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to be securely closed on the day of inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect because she is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe. A child protection policy is in place and a statement on child protection is shared with parents. However, the childminder does not have a clear understanding of exactly when to make a referral to Children's Services.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has good arrangements in place to settle new children and is attentive to the needs of any new children who are feeling unsettled. As a result, children settle easily and quickly become happy and confident. They enjoy playing with the range of age appropriate books, toys and activities provided, and they benefit from regular access to outdoor play in the well equipped back garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a daily routine in place, which makes space for children's individual needs for rest and sleep. She plans outings to the local park and to a toddler group each week and makes sure that children have meals at regular times. These routines help children to feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has ensured that children have access to their play things and older children are able to select resources for themselves. During the visit, young children enjoyed playing with a range of bricks, shape sorters and puzzles, and older children enjoyed some drawing activities. The childminder encourages children in their play and values the things that they produce, for example by presenting some of their art work in an attractive wall display. This encourages children to be proud of their achievements and helps them to have good self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that she has good information about children's individual needs. For example, she makes sure that she knows about each family's background and culture and about the languages spoken at home. This ensures that children have care that is appropriate to their individual needs. Children feel valued as individuals as they are encouraged to share elements of their culture and to bring things from home that help them to feel secure, such as nursery rhyme DVD's in their home language. Children with disabilities and / or learning difficulties are welcome and the childminder demonstrates a commitment to working with parents to ensure that all children are well supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved, and even very young children are encouraged to share and to take turns. The childminder skilfully uses distraction to good effect with the youngest children, and older children are learning to be kind and caring towards the younger ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good arrangements in place to support partnership with parents. For example, contracts and consent forms are in place for all children and all child records are appropriately maintained and shared with parents. In addition, there are daily care sheets for parents, which details such things as, nappy changes, how much children have eaten and how long they have slept. In addition, time is spent each day exchanging information with parents. This 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. The well planned home setting and the good organisation of resources within the play areas provides children with an accessible and welcoming environment. The childminder works with a co-minder and they work well together as a team, ensuring that all children are well cared for. In addition, an assistant is employed to give additional support at busy times. This ensures that children

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 benefit from good individual support. The childminder has completed all required training and, in addition, is a qualified and experienced nursery nurse who uses her experience of nursery work to good effect within the childminding setting.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place, kept up to date, securely stored and, where appropriate, shared with parents, and the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and associated regulations. A set of policies and procedures is in place to underpin her work with children and their families.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints 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): • make sure that the garden shed, which contains some hazardous materials, is securely locked so children cannot access it • make sure that the safeguarding children policy complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board

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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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