Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305495 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged 4 and 2 in Orpington, Kent. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child full time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat, hamster and a gold fish.

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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 enjoy a good range of activities which contributes to their health and well being. Each day they walk to and from school ensuring they get regular exercise. Outside activities, such as digging in the mud and chasing bubbles, helps the children to develop control of their bodies. Regular trips to the local park gives children opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they build their gross motor skills by playing hide and seek. Children gain an understanding of hygiene practice as the childminder follows good routines. Children know that they wash their hands before eating, after having their nappy changed and after playing with messy play. Children would benefit from learning that washing their hands removes germs and this in turn helps to keep them well. Children are kept safe from risk of infection as there is a clear policy in place which is shared with parents. Children who are ill stay at home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to gain an understanding of being healthy. The childminder encourages the children to become involved in their food, for example they help to butter their bread. Children start to recognise healthy options as the childminder gives them choices and they are offered a very good selection of nutritious snacks and lunches. Children benefit from a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where risks have been identified and minimised. This enables the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children make independent choices from a good range of stimulating activities which are displayed at their level and can be easily accessed. All toys are cleaned regularly with anti-bacterial wipes and checked to ensure there are no broken pieces. Children benefit from the good condition of all resources. Children's safety within the home and whilst out is promoted well. There is an effective fire evacuation procedure in place which children practice. There is also a pictorial version to ensure that even the young children understand what to do. However, the childminder has not thought through what would happen if she were to have an accident. Children follow clear boundaries whilst out, for example they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practice road safety and wrist straps are used. All aspects of children's well being is taken into account as the childminder regularly risk assesses her home. This means that the children's safety is paramount. The childminder has all of the procedures and documentation in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder's understanding of child protection procedures helps to keep children safe from risk of harm and neglect and she is pro-active in

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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 updating her knowledge. This means that children can play in a safe and secure environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled at the childminder's house. They appear confident and make themselves at home quickly. Toys and resources are readily available and children show confidence in choosing from a stimulating range of experiences. These include creative resources, construction toys and role play equipment. These suit the children's needs and cover the areas of development. Children are happy, relaxed and confident. Children enjoy creative activities, they show wonder as they squeeze and mould play dough into different shapes and explore different textures. As the children make shapes with the playdough they chat happily, one child cuts out a Christmas tree shape and they begin to discuss a trip to Christmas Tree Farm. Children begin to make connections to events in their lives. The childminder uses extending language with the children. She asks them questions which make them think. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

given opportunities to extend their learning. The children play purposefully and move around freely and independently. With the childminder's support they explore the world through touch, sight, sound, smell and movement. Children are beginning to become competent learners. The childminder has a good knowledge of Birth to three matters and ensures that the children have a good mixture of experiences whilst in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a suitable range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the world around them. For example, puzzles and books increase children's awareness of diversity. Children's understanding of other cultures is limited. They would benefit from activities designed to develop their knowledge. Activities offered to children are age appropriate and non-discriminatory. Dressing up clothes reflect different genders and all children can choose what to wear. All children are treated with equal concern. Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards behaviour management. Strategies used are adapted for the ages of children attending. Children are well behaved and basic ground rules are applied with consistency. Rewards are used occasionally, children feel pleased when they talk about stickers they received for trying a new fruit.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals. Their needs are met as their normal daily routine is shared verbally with parents each day. Parents are kept well informed of the care their children are receiving through the policies and procedures devised by the

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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 childminder. Parents report that children are very happy with the childminder and make good progress. Children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. Children are confident and self assured. This means that they are able to initiate and extend their learning and play. Well thought out planning contributes to valuable experiences for children. Children make good progress in all areas of development. Policies and procedures, developed by the childminder, are used effectively and promote children's welfare, care and learning. These are shared with parents to ensure they are well informed of the care their children receive. All documentation is maintained to a good standard. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping her knowledge of children's development up to date. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • develop a procedure to be included in the emergency evacuation procedure which informs children of what to do if the childminder were to have an

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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 accident. • promote children's understanding of diversity by including activities which develop their awareness of other cultures.

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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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