Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357877 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2008 Inspection date Marcia Robinson 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 their two year old daughter in the area of Plumstead in the London Borough of Greenwich. Most of the childminder’s two bedroom, ground floor level flat is used for childminding with exception of the kitchen and master bedroom. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years old. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally well-maintained environment, where the premises as well as toys and equipment are regularly cleaned. The childminder follows suitable standards of hygiene and promotes appropriate practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children healthy. Children are beginning to understand simple health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after eating, as they have easy access to liquid soap and individual hand towels. Records are available for use in respect of recording accidents and

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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 medication, whenever the need arises. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. She can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. Although parents and carers have given verbal consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, this at the time of inspection was not in writing. Consequently, children's welfare is not safeguarded effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access some opportunities for physical play, including pushing the baby walker up and down the hallway. The childminder also takes them to the nearby park where they can explore large climbing equipment and enjoy exercise in the fresh air. Children are active or restful through choice and babies sleep according to their individual needs and parents’ and carers’ wishes. Parents and carers bring food for their babies and the childminder ensures this is stored and prepared in line with recommended guidelines. The childminder provides the food for older children, including a healthy range of meals, snacks and drinks, such as freshly made vegetable stew with rice, fresh fruit and plenty of water to drink throughout the day. Consequently, children are well nourished and are learning about healthy options. Drinking water as well as a choice of milk and diluted juice is always easily accessible to children, thus positively promoting

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Helping children to be healthy

children's independence and thirst needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder’s home is generally secure, with the exception of the key to the back door which is accessible to children as it is left in the lock. This is supplemented with suitable procedures for adults collecting children. Windows in the living room and one of the bedrooms enables children to benefit from natural light and an appropriately ventilated environment whilst playing indoors. They are able to move freely as there is adequate space. This reduces the risk of accidents. Children have use of an adequate range of play provision which is safe and suitable for their age and stages of development. These are bought from reputable suppliers and are well maintained in good condition. However, not all resources, such as books are easily accessible to effectively promote children's independence and free choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip and teaching the children about the Green Cross Code when on outings. These positively contribute to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. Although, the childminder has gained parents' and carers' verbal consents for outings, their written consent is yet to be obtained to ensure effective procedures for outings are in place. Children are able to make progress in a safe environment, because all safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. This includes electrical socket covers, window locks and a safety gate fitted to the entrance of the kitchen doorway. Children are not fully supported in their growing understanding of fire safety, because although the childminder has an emergency escape plan, she does not regularly practise it with the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children. They are however, well protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection matters, including access to all relevant safeguarding documents to enable her to report any concerns quickly.

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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 satisfactory. Children are happy and relate well to the childminder, as she joins in with their play. For instance, singing along to their favourite nursery rhyme books. They enjoy their time in the childminding environment and are happy to participate in the activities provided, including watching age appropriate television, looking at books together and using puzzles. Free play is incorporated into each day, where child-initiated play is encouraged and supported by the childminder. An appropriate balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensures suitable challenge for their age and stage of development. Some use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities. Examples of this are where they visit the park and local library to borrow and sit and look at the books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy using their imagination as they pretend to talk to their mummy using the toy telephone. They develop mathematical thinking when counting how many items they have brought on their trips to the local shops and they talk about the shapes of their biscuits when having snacks and playing with puzzles. Children have some easy access to an adequate range of toys in the childminder's home but books are not accessible and the range of resources and play opportunities has not been fully developed to effectively promote all areas of children's development. As well as children taking part in planned painting activities, they are able to make adequate choices, which promotes their independence and encourages them to use their own initiative. The childminder reads stories to the children. She also listens and responds appropriately to them, during their free play and everyday routines, which fosters their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication skills. A variety of creative activities, such as painting, drawing and colouring, are provided both within the home and at the local drop in group which promotes children's self-expression whilst having fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the friendly and welcoming environment. They feel a sense of belonging due to the childminder’s friendly and approachable disposition. An induction procedure ensures individual needs are appropriately met. This includes visits with parents and carers. The childminder’s reasonable approach to equal opportunities contributes to children’s suitable attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a small selection of resources, which is supplemented by borrowing books from the library. The childminder does have some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has also covered this subject on training courses attended and shows a positive attitude to including all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder’s suitable understanding of individual personalities promotes appropriate behaviour management. Children are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions. They are beginning to share and take turns through the childminder’s support. Appropriate parental involvement is beneficial to the continuity of care that the children receive. Information is verbally shared with parents and carers on a daily basis. Some written policies and procedures, relating to complaints for instance, keeps parents and carers well informed about the childminding service. Consequently, they are appropriately informed about the childminding service and the activities their children have participated in.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children access play opportunities through the suitable organisation of space, time and resources. The rooms available to the children enable them to partake in a range of activities, including quiet play with access to one bedroom. The childminder plans her time flexibly to enable children to choose the activities that they want to participate in. She rotates the resources and children have free access to a basket of toys, stored in the living room, which promotes their free choice and independence.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the knowledge gained by the childminder who attended the initial training and has furthered this knowledge through completing an additional child care course in Health and Social Care. She is aware of her current registration requirements and adheres to them by for instance, maintaining the correct adult to child ratios at all times. This has a positive impact on children's safety and well-being. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as all adult members of the household have been properly vetting, ensuring they are suitable to be with children. Individual documentation is stored confidentially, which ensures children’s well-being and privacy is respected throughout. All required records are in place but children's arrival is not always promptly recorded in the register to fully promote the safe management of children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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. 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 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 children are unable to gain unsupervised access from the back door • make sure regular fire drills are practised and recorded

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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 • provide a suitable range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of children from birth to eight years old • ensure children's attendance is promptly recorded on a daily basis

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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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