Serlby Park A 3-18 Business and Enterprise Learning Community

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122869 Inspection date 07 December 2005 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1977. She currently cares for four children aged 16 months, 5 years, 4 years, and 3 years. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a terraced house in a quiet street in the Battersea area of Wandsworth. The downstairs rooms including a playroom are used for childminding. One bedroom on the first floor is used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder takes the children out to the library, parks, toddler groups and the local childminder group. She is a member of the Wandsworth childminding

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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 Association and the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop physical skills through using bikes and scooters and taking part in exercises and games on the sitting room floor; such as, playing catch with balls and bean bags. Children use scooters and small stilts to develop balancing skills and benefit from daily exercise by walking to local playgrounds where they use the slides and climbing frames. The childminder enjoys physical games with the children and helps them to feel proud of their individual achievements; such as, learning to hop, skip and do somersaults. Children have a healthy and nutritious diet, because the childminder meets their individual dietary needs through obtaining information from parents, and providing appropriate food and drinks. Children benefit from choosing what they eat and being involved with preparing some of the food. Children are protected from cross infection because the childminder has a clear sick child policy

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Helping children to be healthy

and ensures children wash their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. However, the childminder does not have appropriate nappy changing equipment. Children's welfare is protected in the event of needing emergency medical treatment, because the childminder has sought parental consent and has a current first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the childminder regularly checks all equipment and areas used for childminding within her home and makes sure the toys are suitable for the age of each child. Children develop independence and make independent choices within their play, because there is an extremely large range of accessible and safe play equipment. Children are safe on outings because the childminder assesses potential risks; for example, in playgrounds, and gives children lots of supervision without being too overprotective. Children learn about road safety because the childminder makes sure they hold the buggy or her hand, and encourages children to understand about how to keep themselves safe, by talking to them at an early age and making them aware of potential dangers such as cars. Younger children benefit from walking to local places and are kept safe because the childminder uses reins

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and other safety equipment that children feel comfortable with. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has recently completed child protection training and has a sound knowledge of the procedures and reporting procedures. Children are protected from risk of fire because the childminder has a written fire escape plan, although this has not yet been practised with the children to help them become familiar with how to evacuate the home.

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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 The provision is good. Children play independently with a wide range of accessible toys and benefit from the attention and encouragement the childminder gives them to use the play equipment successfully. She helps them to develop an interest in books whilst they are sitting on her lap having a cuddle. Children make good progress because the childminder gives children lots of encouragement, provides a wide range of opportunities and accessible toys, and has a good knowledge of what children enjoy doing. The childminder's communication and interaction with the children is very good. Children have the opportunity to choose their own play equipment and activities because the childminder lets children take the lead within their play and make their own decisions. Children benefit from regular outings to the local playgroup, parks and library, and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from joining in different events at open assemblies in the local school. Children have the opportunity to do activities at the childminder's home such as gluing, drawing and painting, and often sing spontaneously with the childminder whilst they are playing. Children show enjoyment when the childminder sits with them on the floor and plays and talks with them in a fun and animated way. The childminder has some knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure because the childminder has an affectionate and caring approach, follows their individual routines and helps children to trust her and feel confident. Children's individual needs are well met, and they benefit from the attention which the childminder gives them, and the good relationships and communication she establishes with parents. Children feel confident to talk to the childminder about their individual interests, and tell her about events within their own lives. They learn to respect other peoples feelings because the childminder sets a positive example and teaches them to understand about differences. Children learn to share and be kind to each other. They are well behaved and understand right from wrong because the childminder uses appropriate methods for individual children, and clearly explains to them about the consequences of their behaviour, by setting a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good example and using reasoning and understanding. Children's self-esteem is boosted because the childminder praises them for their achievements, and does not dwell on negative behaviour. The childminder has not looked after children with special needs, but has a good knowledge of children's development and different conditions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the warm and welcoming environment, which is set up in a very well organised and child focused way. This includes an extremely large selection of well presented play equipment which is accessible in the adjacent play room at all times during the day. The childminder has attended advanced childminding training which has led to children benefiting from the ideas and knowledge she has gained and put into practice. Policies and procedures and record

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 keeping systems are used effectively and shared with parents to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder updates all record keeping systems; such as, the complaints record in line with new requirements. This keeps parents well informed about the childminders service and contributes to continuity in care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety. She has removed the lock on the toilet door to prevent children accidentally locking themselves in. She has included Ofsted's details on record keeping systems which are given to parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 appropriate equipment for changing children's nappies and ensure the fire evacuation plan is regularly practised with the children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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