Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510717 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and grown up daughter in a three bedroom house in Abbeywood, in the London Borough of Greenwich. The childminder's husband occasionally works as her assistant. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes along with the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder may care for a maximum of six children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding three full time children under 5 years and three school age children under 8 years.

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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 The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group as well as childminder pop-in groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in very clean, homely environment. The childminder has excellent procedures in place for promoting childrens health and hygiene and preventing the spread of infection. Work surfaces are cleaned regularly with anti-bacterial spray. Children have their own cups, towels and flannels and learn about personal hygiene through daily routines such as hand washing before mealtimes and after going to the toilet. A clear, concise written sickness policy informs parents that children with sickness, diarrhoea or contagious diseases must be cared for at home. Children's emotional well being is supported by the childminder's warm, caring attitude. Children enjoy lots of cuddles and snuggle up to her as they become tired and in need of a sleep. Babies and very young children follow their own individual routines for sleeping, eating and playing. Children benefit from lots of fresh air and

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Helping children to be healthy

physical exercise daily when walking to and from school, at the park and in the garden where that have good opportunities to develop their large motor skills on the climbing frame and riding bikes and trikes. Indoors, children take part in music and dance and play with resources which help to develop their fine motor skills. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. She provides children with freshly cooked meals which are low in salt and sugar. She provides sample menus for parents which include fish, chicken, lean mince, fresh vegetables and fruit, yoghurts and low sugar fruit drinks or water. She talks to parents about children's likes, dislikes and allergies and works in partnership with parents regarding children's special dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe from harm in a warm, welcoming home which is well maintained and has all necessary safety precautions in place, for example safety gates prevent children's access to the stairs and kitchen when the childminder is cooking. The garden is fully enclosed and extremely child friendly. Furniture, equipment and play resources are in very good condition and meet the needs of the children being cared for. Toys are checked regularly for broken pieces and are stored at a level which children can access safely and easily. When out with children, the childminder has effective procedures to ensure children's

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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 safety. Babies and very young children are strapped into a buggy, walking children are on reins or have to hold the childminder's hand. She talks to older children about road safety and the Green Cross Code. Indoors, the childminder talks to children about potential dangers, for example, when children go upstairs to the bathroom she reminds them about holding on to the banisters. Children's welfare is safe guarded through the childminder's clear understanding of child protection and the vetting of all household members.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a close, trusting relationship with the childminder. They settle well and play happily in a warm child friendly environment. Younger children enjoy close physical contact with lots of cuddles when they become tired. The childminder sits with children and joins in their play, for example, building towers of bricks and pretending to eat the food the children cook for her on the play cooker. She uses activities to encourage lots of conversation to extend children's vocabulary. Children confidently move around the childminder's home, choosing what they want to play with from a good selection of age appropriate toys and activities. Play resources promote all areas of children's development and includes provision for imaginary, construction, creative and physical play. Older children enjoy taking part in a range of board games, cooking and playing on the computer. During the week children benefit from regular outings to the park and to childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pop ins and toddler groups where they have opportunities to mix with other children and take part in a range of messy activities such as sand, water, and play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All families and children are welcomed into the childminder's home. She currently cares for children from various cultural and religious backgrounds. Children learn to respect one another, different cultures, religions and disability through play resources such as puzzles, dolls and books. Activities are adapted so that all children can take part. The childminder ensures that she is able to meet children's individual needs by lots of initial discussion with parents about children's special needs, routines, special requirements, likes and dislikes. A very effective settling in period provides time for the childminder and children to get to know one another and helps children to confidently separate from their parents. Therefore children are happy, confident and very much at home in her care. The childminder has high but realistic expectations of children's behaviour. She tries to focus on positive behaviour by giving lots of praise and encouragement when

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children do things well and play nicely together. Children are learning to share and take turns and when they find it difficult she explains why their behaviour is

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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 unacceptable using short periods of time of out which children respond well to. Good working relationships with parents contribute to the children's well being. Although the childminder does not have a complete set of policies, parents are given sample menus and a sickness policy along with contracts child, record forms and consent forms to sign. Parents are kept informed daily about their children's day and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's many years of experience and professional, sensitive, attitude to childminding. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends childminder pop-ins where she gets together with other childminders to update childcare knowledge on topics such as Birth to Three Matters. Children benefit from good adult support. Play space within the home and garden is well organised so that children can play safely and select toys of their choice. The daily routine allows time for rest, active and quiet play. All necessary documentation is in place although the childminder is still using old style contracts and child record sheets which were originally supplied by the Local Authority. Children's records are all kept together in a folder along with lots of childminding information. The childminder has a complaints log in place.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection the childminder was recommended to provide a written plan of play opportunities for children. Although she does not have written plans she was able to demonstrate verbally how she plans play opportunities for the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted has received one complaint since the last inspection relating to National Standard 2: Organisation. The complaint related to adult child ratios. We carried out an investigation on 28 June 2004 and found that the provider was caring for four children under five years. An actions letter was sent reminding her that she must remain with in her registration numbers at all times. The provider remains qualified for registration. The complaint did not have to be recorded in the complaints log as it was prior to October 3rd 2005. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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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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): • become more familiar with the Birth to Three Matters Framework • reorganise children's records and childminding documentation to ensure confidentiality

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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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