Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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159926 Unique Reference Number 07 April 2008 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk 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 2001. He lives in a house in New Cross that is close to local shops, parks/play areas and bus routes. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old. Of these, not more than three may be under five years old, and of these, not more than one may be under one year old at any one time. When working with an assistant he is registered to care for no more than seven children under eight years old. Of these, not more than six may be under five years old, and of these, not more than two may be under one year old at any one time. There are currently thirteen children on roll attending for a range of full and part time places. The whole of the ground floor and one room, on the first floor, can be used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is supported well because the childminder understands what he needs to do to ensure a clean environment and good hygiene practices. Children benefit from regular

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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 fresh air in the childminders garden and local parks and can explore a range of physical activities to support their growing bodies. Resources are regularly cleaned and are well organised on accessible shelves and the children able to use laundered towels when washing. Good habits are instilled early on so that for example, children take off their outside shoes when coming in to the home and store them in the shoe basket provided. They regularly wash their hands before eating and after activities in the garden, for example. The childminder uses appropriate nappy changing routines and this helps to prevent the spread of cross infection. Children are well cared for when they are unwell and the childminder uses appropriate medication consent forms to ensure their wellbeing. He ensures his first aid certificate is updated when necessary but

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Helping children to be healthy

there is currently no consent for emergency treatment should the need arise. Children are well nourished when with the childminder with, for the most part, freshly prepared organic meals which are provided in consultation with the children's parents. As a result the children benefit from a varied menu including lasagne, noodles and okra and rice and through regular snacks of fruit, water and milk during the day. Clear records ensure the childminder and his assistant are mindful of children's allergies and individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play in an environment which is safe and free from hazard and the premises and garden is secure. In particular children learn to be aware of their own safety in the environment which is familiar and homely. For example, children talk about how they will use resources such as string and laces carefully and go about their play in a calm and thoughtful way. They learn to understand the rules in the childminder's home and to show a respect for the natural materials they explore such as the tree bark and colanders provided. Children's safety is maintained when they go on outings as they learn to hold hands and to cross the roads safely under the childminder's guidance. Children are protected from fire because the childminder has a well thought out fire evacuation plan. Fire prevention equipment in place further ensures their safety should a fire occur. Children are safeguarded from harm when with the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

because he understands child protection procedures and has attended training in this area. They are consistently supervised and observed to ensure their wellbeing and any concerns recorded appropriately and shared with relevant outside professionals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children really enjoy their time with the childminder and his assistant and benefit from their enthusiasm and commitment to providing an outstanding and highly stimulating environment. Children enjoy lots of cuddles and reassurance and this helps them to settle well. In particular the calm environment established enables the children to feel at home and comfortable and to join in with spontaneous and natural activities such as finger knitting and folding napkins provided by the adults. Most notably, the childminders attention to the Steiner approach encourages children's self reliance and confidence in the environment and this is reflected well by the children attending. The children develop excellent social relationships and show increasing independence as they choose from resources on the shelves and around them. Children's imaginative skills are particularly well fostered as they negotiate their ideas with each other

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and create interesting scenarios using wooden blocks, string and rope and a wealth of role play equipment and household objects. Currently a sewing machine which has been made safe is used by the children as an ice cream vending machine, for example. They chat enthusiastically throughout their play and enjoy exploring baskets of logs, musical instruments and dressing

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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 up materials in their games. The children use play dough to roll, cut and squeeze through their fingers and build imaginative dens with wooden structures and fabrics, for example. They enjoy and benefit from regular stories, often using props to support ideas and have access to a range of books. Access to the childminder's garden enables the children to further explore the natural world, help with gardening and to use their imaginative skills using the trees and logs as their resource.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in an environment which is fully inclusive and which enables all children to explore their imaginative and creative interests. The childminder and his assistant get to know the children well and this helps them to settle and feel welcomed. In particular the childminder provides a positive male role model for the children attending and encourages them to choose from and join in with the wealth of resources and activities available. Foods provided include a variety of cultural dishes and toys which the children play with reflect a range of cultural backgrounds, helping the children to gain an awareness of others and a positive self image. Children who may have disabilities and/or special educational needs are welcomed into the childminders home and the childminder demonstrates that he supports children's vocabulary should they have other languages. Children's behaviour is excellent when with the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and in particular they demonstrate an increasing self reliance. They are busy and engaged in activities, often self initiated and benefit from the adults calm and reassuring attitude to their play. Children benefit because the childminder has established secure and supportive relationships with their parents and informs them of all activities. This helps the childminder provide consistency of care from home to the childminding setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The good organisation of the environment and secure routines clearly underpins the childminders aim to provide a good quality service. The childminder's attention to the Steiner philosophy in particular supports his aims to provide choice and independence for the children attending. Well established routines enable the children to have time to enjoy and explore the environment and to be well nourished and rest. Child to adult ratios are effectively maintained and the time children spend with the childminder is well organised, enabling them to have access to a varied range of age-appropriate activities that are challenging and stimulate their interest. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications for childminding and first aid and also holds a diploma in Childhood Studies. Training is generally well accessed so that, for example the childminder has attended a child protection course in safeguarding children recently. Most

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Organisation

required documentation is in place and maintained in a confidential manner including the children's daily record of attendance and personal information but not all documentation is well organised and easily accessible and the childminder understands that this is an area for improvement. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the children's daily record of attendance was appropriately maintained. This has been completed and registers now reflect the children's times of arrival and departure, further ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

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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 the last inspection Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 1 - Suitable person; National Standard 3 - Care, learning and play; National Standard 6 - Safety and Annex A, additional criteria to be met by childminders caring for babies. Concerns were raised about over minding and that supervision and sleeping arrangements did not adequately meet the needs of minded children. An inspector made an unannounced visit and was satisfied that children’s individual needs were being met and supervision was adequate. The inspector was concerned that clear details of children’s times of attendance were not being recorded on the registers. As a result an action was set under National Standard 14: Documentation. A response was received from the provider to indicate action had been taken to meet the national standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • review the organisation of documentation needed to underpin the childminding business to ensure all policies and procedures including those for emergency medical treatment are clear and available for inspection at all times

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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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