Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298597 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Lorna Lorraine Hall

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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 is an experienced childminder. She lives with her three children, of whom two are adults and one is 15 years old. They live in a four bedroom flat situated on the first floor of a large housing estate. The childminder has a recognised child care qualification. She has many years experience of working with large groups of children in a variety of childcare settings. The whole of the first floor is used for childminding purpose. Children do not have direct access to outdoor play. However, outings to parks and toddler groups are an

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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 integral part of the daily curriculum. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. One of the children attends before school. A cat is the family's pet. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Effective daily routines and the childminder's own good practice prevent cross infections. As a extra measure adults are asked to remove outdoor footwear when walking on areas used by the children. Older children foster good hygiene habits and they wash their hands several times throughout the day. The childminder's understanding of keeping children healthy ensures parents are well informed about childhood illness and how to treat them. Children benefit from a variety of activities, which contributes to their good health. For example, daily outings to parks and play groups enable them to enjoy the fresh air and participate in physical exercise. Good systems are in place to record medical information and to obtain the required consent from parents. This promotes children's wellbeing. Freshly prepared wholesome, nutritious meals and snacks help children develop healthy eating habits from an early age. The childminder's good understanding of

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Helping children to be healthy

nutrition is shared with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. Children are able to access water according to their needs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and is confident that any incidents requiring first aid would be dealt with appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised, spacious and child oriented environment. This mean they are able to move around freely and safely to access quality resources. Effective measures are in place to minimise identified risks and to ensure the safety of children inside and outside the home. Children can choose from a wide selection of good quality resources suitable to their age and development. Resources are attractively presented on brightly coloured

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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 mats and are stored in see-through containers. Items used by the children are purchased from reputable manufacturers. This means toys are suitable to meet individual learning needs. Suitable child size furniture is in place to promote children's independence. Effective safety measures are in place to promote children's understanding of safety. As a means of safety parents are asked to give their consent for the childminder to take their children on outings. Parents are also asked to give the names of persons authorised to collect their children from the childminder's home. This safeguards children's welfare. Some fire fighting equipment is in place, however, there is only one smoke alarm in the two storey home. This could compromise children's safety. During discussion, the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder identified areas of the home that could be used in an emergency evacuation. However, children have little understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency evacuation. The childminder has a good understanding of the different forms of child abuse and who to report concerns to. This safeguards and promote children's wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home, confidently participating in activities which promote their all round development. The daily routines provide good opportunities for children to extend their vocabulary, for example, listening to the radio and reiterating stories to the childminder. Brightly coloured posters are used to develop children's understanding of shape and colour recognition. Through interaction and observation, the childminder ensures all the children spend their time purposefully. Flexible planning provides good opportunities for all the children to make choices and contribute to their play. Children enjoy exploring the toys and they play enthusiastically with them. They enjoy quiet time and rest according to their needs. Use of the computer enables the older children to learn about technology and prepares them for school. The childminder is in the early stage of using care diaries to record the children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

progress. The care diaries would be shared with parents and allow them to contribute to their children's learning. Children benefit from outings to local toddler groups and parks, which provide good opportunities for them to engage in play on a large scale, especially outdoor play. Although the childminder has a good understanding that children learn through play, she does not use the Birth to three matters framework to ensure activities are geared to meet individual learning needs. However, this has little impact on the children. During discussion, she informed the inspector that she would attend and complete appropriate training.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self esteem is prompted well and parents are asked to give detailed information to ensure individual needs are met. All the children engage in activities which promote their knowledge and understanding of other cultures. For example, outings to toddler groups provide lots of opportunities for them to celebrate different festivals. There is good support for children and families who have special needs and the childminder has a good understanding of how resources could be adapted to meet individual learning needs. All the children have the opportunity to maximise their play and enjoyment. Children are well behaved; they have the opportunity to make choices and are given choices, which help them manage their own behaviour. The children behave well, due to the childminder's good use of praise and encouragement. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure behaviour is consistently managed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is fostered well. Some parents have supplied excellent references in appreciation of the good service they received from the childminder. This means that new parents are able to gain an insight about the service the childminder provides before leaving their children in her care. Care diaries provide good opportunities for parents to chart their children's progress and contribute to their learning. It also helps the childminder to adapt her service to meet individual needs. Parents are asked to read and sign detailed contracts to ensure appropriate care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her day to ensure all the children spend their time purposefully and are able to participate in structured and free play. Her good organisation creates a rich learning environment for all the children. Constant attention to the National Standards for childminding, and training and support from the Early Years Childcare Partnership are ways the childminder updates her childcare knowledge. This means that the childminder is able to offer a good service to children and families. Records on the children are appropriately stored, meet regulations and are up to date. The good service the childminder provides is underpinned by a series of well written policies and procedures. Parents are asked to read these policies and procedures before leaving their children in the care of the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of the information that must be passed on to

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Organisation

Ofsted. This safeguards children's welfare. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children.

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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

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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 smoke alarm, which conforms to British safety standards, at every level of the home • practise the emergency escape plan with the minded 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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