Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346867 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2008 Inspection date Debra Davey 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her eleven-year-old daughter in Greenwich, London. The whole lower level of the childminder’s maisonette is used for childminding. The family does not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and one child school aged child. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy in the childminder's home through good procedures. The home is welcoming because it is comfortable and clean and the toys and equipment are well presented. Arrangements for nappy changing are sound because the childminder uses hygienic procedures to prevent cross-infection, such as wearing gloves and cleaning the changing mat for each child. Older children have access to their own towels and liquid soap for hand washing before meals, which ensures that they learn about preventing germs and are protected from infection. The childminder is qualified in first aid, which means that children are well protected in the event of an emergency. Good use of documentation, for example, seeking appropriate permissions from parents, further supports this aim.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that arrangements for meals are agreed with parents, which means that they are given appropriate choices as to whether to provide food. Meals are prepared and served by the childminder and children enjoy a range of fresh food in accordance with a planned menu, which ensures that their nutritional needs are fully met. Drinks are provided for children and they each have their own cup to freely access throughout the day. However, should they need a rest or a sleep they are required to sleep in their buggies which does not fully support their care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy robust physical play outdoors through daily outings to local parks and trips, such as to the city farm. They develop confidence in their physical skills as they play in the swing park and sandpit, as well as being enthralled by all the different animals at the farm. They benefit from enjoyable outings in the summer months, such as trips to Greenwich Park to watch a puppet show. As some of the outings are organised with another childminder who lives close by, children have opportunities to socialise with others. Trips to local playgroups further support this aim and children learn to interact well with one another on outings and in the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home has adequate space and a range of toys which are safe and of good quality. These support enjoyable activities that stimulate and challenge the range of children attending, for example, children enjoy looking at books with the childminder, as well as puzzles and drawing. A full written risk assessment has been carried out to ensure that appropriate safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending, including socket covers and safety gates. Children are supervised well, within sight and hearing of the childminder at all times, which ensures that children have fun in their play and hazards are minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good attention is given to procedures for safety in the home, for instance, the childminder displays her emergency evacuation procedure and ensures that children are made aware of the details. Risk assessments are used well to ensure that children are kept safe on outings. In this way, they enjoy a good balance of home-based and outdoor activities in safe surroundings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from harm or abuse because the childminder has a thorough understanding of recognising abuse and reporting procedures. Documentation shared with

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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 parents is detailed and accurately reflects safeguarding children's guidelines in accordance with recent legislation. This ensures that both the childminder and the parents of children she cares for are well informed and secure in their responsibility for safeguarding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a good balance of home-based activities, exploring the toys and stories and music, as well as outings to toddler groups, parks and trips. Links with the child's home are formed through discussions with parents about progress and a collection of photographs of outings and activities, which are readily available for children and parents to share. Pictures displayed on the walls of the childminder's home show drawings that children have drawn of themselves, which creates a welcoming environment and fosters their positive identity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and concentrate well in the home due to the calm support of the childminder. She divides her time well between the children attending and has sufficient knowledge of how children develop to provide age appropriate and stimulating activities to help them learn. For example, younger children enjoy drawing and sticking, play dough and puppets, whilst older children learn to make jewellery by threading beads and making earrings to take home for their mother. In this way children make good progress with the childminder through a range of planned activities which are fun and help them learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good use is made of various resources to help children learn about their own and other cultures. For example, they are encouraged to join in with festival celebrations through local events. They enjoy a range of stories to help them appreciate diversity such as 'Boots for a bridesmaid' and 'Dave and the Tooth Fairy'. Positive images of different cultures are available to children through everyday play materials, such as dolls, puppets and role play equipment. As a result, children develop a sense of their own identity and learn to value differences in others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because the childminder uses effective strategies, such as discussions to help them learn to be considerate to one another. Consultation with parents means that children have clear and consistent boundaries to help them feel secure. Children with additional needs are currently cared for in the setting and the childminder offers skilled support to ensure that all develop at their own pace and achieve their full potential. For example, she gets to know children well enough to be involved in the assessment programme. She adapts activities to ensure that all children are included and uses additional skills, such as sign language, to support children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children benefit from the two-way sharing of information to meet their needs through daily discussions. Good use is made of policies and written records to provide information for parents and ensure that they are well informed. The childminder also supports parents of children attending with additional needs through communication with specialist agencies, which ensures that services for parents are well coordinated to support children.

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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 benefit from effective organisation, such as a sound daily routine which helps them feel secure and supports their needs well. The childminder has attended relevant training to support the care of children and shows a commitment to accessing additional training to support individual children. In this way, she is well informed about how children learn and how she is best able to provide for them.

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Organisation

Appropriate documentation relating to childminding activities enables children's needs to be met because detailed and useful information is sought from parents about the child's requirements. In addition, she has developed her own policies which are shared with parents. This ensures that all matters relating to the care of children are clarified. Attendance, accidents and medication are clearly recorded to meet requirements. 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): • provide a suitable area in the home for children to rest or sleep.

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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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