Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365504 Unique Reference Number 30 June 2008 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 was registered in 2008 and lives in the East Dulwich area of Southwark with her husband and four children, two of whom are under eight years. Children have access to all areas of the home except one bedroom. There is a communal garden available for supervised outside play. The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight at any one time. She is currently caring for four children, three of whom are under five years and all children attend at various times. The childminder does not employ an assistant or provide overnight care. The family do not have any pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good systems are in place to promote children's good health and help stop the spread of infection. For example, children are provided with their own flannels, toothbrushes and individual bedding; the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene within the home and while changing nappies. In addition, the childminder has devised her own policies and procedures relating to health, hygiene, sickness and medication. She keeps appropriate records relating

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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 to any accidents or medication administered. The childminder has not yet completed an appropriate first aid course, although she is aware of the requirement to ensure a course is completed within six months of registration. Children are provided with a variety of activities aimed at developing their physical skills on a regular basis, enabling them to gain fresh air and exercise and promoting good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of fresh fruit as snacks; they are provided with a balanced and nutritious diet of home cooked meals that include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, promoting healthy eating habits. The childminder shows a clear understanding of food safety standards relating to the storage and reheating of any bottle feeds prepared by parents. Details are recorded of children's individual dietary needs, safeguarding their welfare. Good systems are in place to ensure children are provided with drinking water. For example, children have their own cups and help themselves. Details of children's individual food and drink intake are recorded in their daily diaries, enabling information to be shared effectively with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents benefit from a welcoming environment where children's creative work is displayed and a variety of information is displayed on a notice board. Children are able to play in a well organised home where high regard is shown to reducing hazards, such as ensuring play space is clear, electric sockets are covered and a gate is used to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen. In addition, appropriate fire safety equipment is in place and an emergency evaluation plan has been devised by the childminder. Children have access to an extensive range of toys, books and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. All resources are of good quality and well organised, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. Children's physical needs are supported as the childminder has a good range of childcare equipment, such as travel cots, high chairs and booster seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good systems are in place to help protect children from harm. For example, the childminder keeps all relevant information, including contact details, easily accessible, enabling her to take prompt action is she is worried a child is being abused. In addition, she has devised her own child protection policy that is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a good range of indoor and outside activities, and outings that promote all areas of learning. They are supported well by the childminder who is actively involved in play and asks questions that make children think, extending their learning and language skills. For example, children are able to use books purposefully; they confidently answer questions asked by the childminder about the story, such as what's happening in the pictures and what they think might happen next. Younger children enjoy feeling the different textures of the animal pictures and talk about the noises animals make with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a number game where they take turns to hang the numbers on the scales as the childminder talks about each number, helping children to identify numerals and learn about weight as they balance the scales. Children learn about shapes and pattern as they thread beads and shape buttons. They enjoy being creative while printing with picture stamps and inks and have good opportunities to use paint, collage and drawing materials. Children show skilful use of a range of toys that promote their knowledge and understanding of the world. For example,

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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 they name body parts as they use a magnetic game, use electronic toys appropriately and know how to operate the garage with a lift and helicopter. They enjoy playing imaginatively with the horse and stable set and while using dolls and accessories. Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills during regular outings to local parks and activity groups, enabling them to use a variety of large play equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder for their efforts and achievements. They show an awareness of expectations of their behaviour, such as helping to put away toys after use and taking turns during play. Children are able to play cooperatively and show an awareness of each others needs; they freely approach the childminder and enjoy frequent cuddles, helping them to feel self assured and developing good relationships. Good systems are in place to promote equality. For example, the childminder has devised her own policies and procedures relating to equality; she ensures children have access to a range of toys and books that reflect positive images of people in the community. In addition, children's individual needs are known and information is shared with parents. Although no children presently attend who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities the childminder shows an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

awareness of promoting inclusion; she has previous experience of working with young people who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Good systems are in place to promote effective partnership with parents. For example, parents participate in a gradual settling in programme, enabling new children to feel secure when their parents leave. Parents have access to a variety of information about the setting, including policies and procedures, sample menus and information about activities and outings. In addition, daily diaries are kept for all children, keeping parents informed about all events of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Good systems are in place to ensure all required documents are used and stored appropriately. These include records of children's individual details, their attendance and any accidents or medication administered. In addition, the childminder has written a wide range of policies, procedures and information that support the management of her childminding service. The childminder has completed a relevant course in childminding practice, although she is yet to complete a first aid course within the first six months of registration. The childminder presents a professional approach as she ensures all documents are well organised and shared with parents.

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Organisation

Children are able to play in a well organised home where toys and books are stored at low level, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. The childminder makes good use of time and resources, enabling children to participate in a variety of activities in the home and regular outings that promote learning. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children within six months of registration.

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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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