Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY303123 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 2005. She lives in the Rotherhithe area of Southwark with her husband and two children. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding one child for two days per week. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family do not have any pets. The childminder's daughter is available to work with her as an assistant. The childminder does not provide overnight care. She is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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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 able to play in a clean and well maintained environment. They are supported in learning good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meals. The childminder's nappy changing routine is effective and follows good hygiene practice that helps prevent the spread of infection. Children's wellbeing is promoted by appropriate procedures and policies implemented by the childminder relating to sickness, accidents and medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are catered for and respected. They are offered a nutritious and varied diet with meals that are freshly prepared and include good quality ingredients and fresh fruit and vegetables, promoting healthy eating. The childminder avidly promotes eating five fruit or vegetables per day, enhancing children's long term good heath.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to engage in physical play within the home, garden and while on outings; they regularly walk to local parks and children's groups to use large play equipment and wheeled toys, benefiting from fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play safely in the home and garden as the childminder has taken positive steps to promote safety. For example, all fire safety equipment is in place and safety gates are used to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen and areas not used for minding. The home is clean, bright and well maintained, creating a comfortable environment for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a suitable range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources to ensure all children can be purposefully engaged. Toys are of good quality, clean and well maintained; they include a variety of toys that promote equality and home made resources, such as shakers to use as musical instruments. Children are able to make choices and select resources that are stored in the living room and hall to ensure they are easily accessible. Children are encouraged to look after the resources, for example by replacing toys in the correct containers. A range of child sized furniture and equipment is available to ensure children's physical needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures are in place to ensure children are protected and any child protection concerns are dealt with appropriately, for example, the childminder ensures the local child protection procedures are easily accessible and has attended an additional child protection training course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. They benefit from the attention and enthusiasm given by the childminder who shows a clear awareness of their abilities and encourages them well during play. Children have good opportunities to participate in a varied

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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 weekly routine with planned outings to local children's groups, free play and creative activities within the home and regular garden play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy being creative and imitate while using the phone and tea set, developing their imaginative skills. They use drawing materials purposefully and have good opportunities to use a range of art and craft materials in the home and while attending children's groups. Children enjoy singing familiar songs and eagerly join in the actions with the childminder, promoting their acquisition of language skills. Children respond and listen well as they look at books with the childminder and repeat familiar words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's maths skills are promoted as they complete simple puzzles with the childminder and show an understanding of number as they count while building with bricks. Children have good opportunities to find out about the environment and other people as they participate in regular local outings. For example, they regularly attend children's groups where festivals are acknowledged with activities and stories; they walk to the Thames and local ponds to feed the ducks and use the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well by the childminder who works in partnership with parents to ensure all care needs are known. Children are able to learn about cultures and beliefs as they regularly attend children's groups and use resources within the home that reflect positive images of people in the community. Although no children attend at present who have identified special needs, systems are in place to ensure care is appropriate and inclusion is positive, for example, the childminder has attended additional relevant training courses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed about their child's day and developmental progress as the childminder makes time to discuss the events of the day when children are collected. Parents are offered a range of written information about the childminder’s service and agree settling in procedures with the childminder that help their children part from them with ease and feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good relationships with the childminder. They benefit from the childminder's clear boundaries for behaviour that relate to their age and stage of development, as a result children are well behaved. Children are helped to feel emotionally secure with lots of cuddles and attention offered by the childminder; they are praised by the childminder for their efforts and achievements, promoting good behaviour and positive self esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children and parents benefit from the childminders good organisation and professional approach. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications for childminding and first aid. She has extended her knowledge and understanding of caring for children by attending an extensive range of one day courses, such as disability and equality, Birth to three matters, child protection and

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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 others relating to safety, business and play. All required documentation is in place, although parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has not been gained for new minded children. A wide range of policies and procedures written by the childminder are shared with parents.

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Organisation

Children are able to play in a well organised environment where they can reach toys and resources easily. The time children spend with the childminder is well organised, enabling children to have access to a varied range of activities in the home, garden play and outings in the local environment to parks and children’s groups. Children’s safety and well being are promoted well as the childminder implements her policies and procedures effectively.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advise for new minded children.

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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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