Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363682 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2008 Inspection date Linda Margaret Nicholls 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 2007. Registration is for six children and does not include overnight care. The childminder is currently minding three children, none of whom are full-time. The childminder lives with her husband and two children, aged under ten years, in St Mary Cray, in the London borough of Bromley. Children have use of all of the premises, with the exception of the master bedroom. There is a back garden available for outdoor play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop a thorough understanding of personal health and hygiene practice through everyday routines. The childminder ensures all resources and play equipment are clean so that the risk of cross-infection is minimised. Children wash their hands in the bathroom, before eating food and after messy play. They listen closely to a song tape and mimic the actions to 'This is the way we wash our face,…clean our teeth.'

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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 Children enjoy regular physical activity within the home and outside as they walk to school daily, attend children's clubs or play in the garden. Children understand they need to relax. They play quietly or read books when they need a rest. Children have a wide range of opportunities to develop hand-to-eye coordination skills by practising how to button and unbutton their clothes or draw with a range of mark making equipment, such as pencils, crayons, paints and craft works.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a broad understanding of healthy food choices. They enjoy pasta and salad provided at lunch time with relish. They shop for salad items and sample menus are provided for parents. The childminder records the foods they eat and works in partnership with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. Children have access to water and drinks throughout the day. With the childminder, they plan and prepare for cooking activities, such as making St Valentine biscuits or Easter nest cakes. Drinks or fresh water are directly accessible throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have an infection do not attend, which prevents the spread of contagious illness. All required documents are clearly and effectively maintained. Parents are reassured as emergency contact numbers are held securely. Parents are informed and prepared well for emergencies, for example, when children may be taken ill or there may be a serious accident requiring emergency treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and adults are welcomed into an organised and well maintained home. The floor space is uncluttered and children make independent choices from free standing toys or storage boxes. There is good natural light and adequate ventilation. The home has comfortable furniture for naps, a child height table and clean, bright décor. Children select from a sufficient range and variety of toys which are checked daily for repair or discarded. Children's planning and preparation of resources for their chosen activity are not recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children cannot access rooms or items that could be dangerous, such as cleaning liquids and powders, because the childminder provides safety equipment to ensure these are secured. She routinely completes a dated written risk assessment of her home. The large trampoline is sunk into the ground and has padded covers. The home is secure and children play safely. Fire safety recommendations are in place and a written evacuation plan is practised and available to parents. Parents are aware of the childminder's safety procedures. Public liability insurance is current.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel cared for and secure as they are closely supervised at all times, both in the home and at outside venues. They learn to keep themselves safe as they sit at a table to eat or tidy away toys when they have finished with them. Road safety habits are reinforced as the childminder discusses these as they walk to or from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Parents are informed of her professional role. Latest training was attended in 2007 and local and national contact numbers are current.

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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 outstanding. Children are stimulated, supported and focused in their play, for example, with play dough or feeding their doll. They are confident and proud of their achievements because the childminder attractively displays their work and praises wanted behaviour. Children make purposeful and independent choices regarding their play. They can select from a range of good quality items, such as a doll and dolls equipment or play dough material and shaping resources. Children extend their developing physical skills as they walk to and from school, successfully button or unbutton their cardigans or twist and turn the play dough resources into place. Children chatter to the childminder engagingly as they eat lunch. She aids the development of language, learning new words such as 'spiky' and 'noodles'. They increase their knowledge of the world as they examine equipment or join other children at social clubs and groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive gentle guidance from the childminder, encouraging them to respect differences and share toys. The childminder provides a good range of equipment giving positive images of physical and cultural diversity or uses national associations and libraries as resources. She effectively plans and clearly records activities to provide one to one play throughout the day. Children learn appropriate self control and an understanding of right and wrong. They develop a strong sense of belonging as they name members of the childminder's family they know. Children develop a sense of time and personal history as they remember what they did at pre-school or during past trips to Christmas Tree farm. The childminder is forward thinking and aware of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show confidence, are respected and allowed to feel good about themselves because the childminder has a positive attitude towards physical difference and cultural diversity. The childminder encourages children to acknowledge differences and provides a modest range of equipment, such as books, games and small world figures so that they may explore their ideas. Children receive consistency of care because individual requirements and family preferences are recorded and discussed at an initial interview. The childminder is aware of the supportive role she will offer to families with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities should this be required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know how to control themselves and learn to care for each other. They know the childminder's rules because she gives simple consistent reinforcement for the behaviour she wants. Children share toys and play happily together. Discussion of behaviour management methods are undertaken at an initial meeting with parents and a record of incidents will be maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed of all relevant policies and procedures and relates these to the National Standards. Written agreements are used and individual details are recorded, for example, GP details, medical information and adults identified to collect children. Signed permissions are held. The childminder completes a contact book for parents. Daily information is exchanged and this ensures potential concerns are resolved immediately. The childminder is aware to develop a procedure for concerns or complaints she may receive.

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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 good. Children show self-confidence and a sense of belonging in an organised and welcoming home. They demonstrate contentment and strong self-worth. Children's imaginations are stimulated and engaged because equipment and activities are planned and provided to meet their individual abilities.

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Organisation

The childminder has a professional attitude and keeps all documentation to a good standard. Clear and effective records and information are securely held and readily available for inspection. Registered ratios are maintained and the record of attendance notes when children are present and why they are absent. The childminder is currently attending an Introducing Childcare Practice course and holds a current certificate in first aid for children and babies. The registration document is displayed. She is aware to inform parents and the registering body of any changes to her circumstances that may affect the welfare of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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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): • consider methods for pre-literate children to record their choice of resources for their chosen activities.

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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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