Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY361004 Unique Reference Number 28 April 2008 Inspection date Pamela Bailey Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her three children, aged 18 months, three years and seven years, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the childminder's flat except for the master bedroom is used for childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children and is currently minding one child over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the local parks.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children take part in a range of activities that contribute to their good health. They enjoy practising for the school dance routine and learn about keeping healthy through exercise and benefit from the daily walks from school.

p.2

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 Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and self care skills through daily routines. Children automatically wash their hands after being outdoors and know why they need to wash their hands. However, all children share the same towel for hand drying.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, and plenty of drinks or water. The childminder ensures that she gains all relevant information relating to children's health needs and takes account of parents' wishes to provide nutritious meals that meet children's dietary or religious requirements.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children independently select toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. They benefit from some good safety measures. For example, children are learning to keep themselves safe as they practise the emergency evacuation procedures and learn about road safety. Although children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen, sharp knives stored in low level drawers and electrical sockets are easily accessible to the children and therefore a potential risk to their safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare. Most of the required documentation is in place and the childminder has devised procedures in the event of a parent failing to collect a child. However, the childminder does not have the Local Safeguarding Children's Board contact details in place.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active according to their needs and interests. They speak confidently to other children or adults as they express their ideas during play and experiences at school. The childminder responds positively to children's interests, asking questions to stimulate thought. Children freely select books and enjoy listening to stories. They become involved as they relate their own experiences to those in the story.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creative and imaginative skills are encouraged through activities such as model making, listening and dancing to music, role play and playing with dough. For example, children have made papier-mâché models of each other and enjoy making fruit salads using dough. Their finer motor skills are developing well as they select and use small equipment, such as rolling pins and cutters, and use their hands and fingers to mould the dough into different shapes.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house and make themselves at home. They are developing good relationships and are well behaved. Although there are no children currently attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder has a system in place to ensure that she gains all information relating to children's individual needs. Children have access to a satisfactory range of resources that reflect positive images of different culture and gender inside the childminder's home. However, none reflect disability. There are both formal

p.3

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 and informal systems in place for the childminder and parents to share information about the children and the childminding service. Parents receive sufficient information about the complaints policy.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are confident to initiate their own play and learning. The childminder's flexible approach allows children to pursue their own games. The childminder's written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. These are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. However, children's safety is not promoted well in all areas. The childminder has completed all relevant training, such as first aid, and ensures that all the required documentation is in place, well maintained and readily available for inspection.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

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.

p.4

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 the hand drying facilities for children • asses the risks to children in relation to the sharp knives and electrical sockets and take action to minimise these • obtain the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) contact details • provide a range of resources that promotes positive images of all aspects of society

p.4

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

p.4

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

p.5