Reardon, Claire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY264992 Inspection date 21 November 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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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 satisfactory. 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 September 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged, 3 months, 4 years and 8 years, in a three bedroom end-of-terrace house in the Northumberland Heath area of Erith; within walking distance of the local schools, parks and other amenities. All areas of the house are suitable to be used for childminding. Minded children play in the lounge. The family bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is also a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 is currently minding a 1-year-old on a full-time basis and a 4-year-old on a part-time basis. She provides a drop off and collection service for St Paul's Play School and Northumberland Heath Infant and Primary School. The family has a pet hamster. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Effective cleaning routines and the childminder’s own good practice prevent cross infection. Children know that washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating helps prevent the spread of germs. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. The childminder has developed clear procedures to promote children's welfare, for example, a sick child policy and a medication and accident procedure. The childminder has developed menus which are shared with parents, this includes a vegetarian alternative to ensure all children's dietary needs are effectively met. Nutritious meals and snacks help children develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Children are confident about asking for drinks and each child has an individual

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Helping children to be healthy

cup. Babies learn to feed themselves which helps develop their independence. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, these include, regular use of the garden and daily walks to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a bright and well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. These are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for children. Regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. The childminder implements many effective systems for ensuring children are kept safe, for example, all electrical sockets are inaccessible to children, safety gates are placed in appropriate positions and medication and other potentially hazardous materials are inaccessible to children. There are effective procedures for the safe arrival and departure of children. This includes ensuring children are only collected by authorised persons and the implementation of a security password system. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

learn about keeping themselves safe, through the childminder reinforcing messages, for example, the importance of keeping seatbelts on whilst travelling in the car and through practicing the fire drill to ensure children are familiar with the procedure.

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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 Children know that they must dial 999 in the event of an emergency to get help. The childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues. She implements a clear and effective written procedure in the event of a concern. This is shared with parents. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the setting because the childminder interacts warmly with them. Children receive a good amount of attention because the childminder sits with them and is an active participant in their play. Children enjoy a good rapport with the childminder who assists them throughout their play times. Children's efforts and achievements are praised and encouraged consistently, helping them to feel confident, secure and make good progress. Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. This includes role play experiences, puzzles and books. This is well supported by the wide range of good quality toys and resources. The childminder has developed a 'weekly activity timetable', which informs parents of the routine and timetable for the children. Frequent trips to local pre- school groups and other places of interests, such as a music and dance group, the local library and network drop in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

groups, form part of the regular routine and this enables children to develop their social skills further and to use a wider range of resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity. Children become aware of their own and other cultures through a range of resources, planned activities and as they celebrate a variety of festivals. Close liaison with parents and outside agencies ensures all children's needs are well planned for and met. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and uses appropriate strategies. This helps children learn right from wrong. Children behave well because they are familiar with the rules and boundaries in place and are encouraged to care for each other and to take responsibility for their environment and toys. The childminder values each child as she offers praise and encouragement for their achievements. Positive relationships are well established with parents promoting the welfare of children. The childminder creates time every day to talk to parents about their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children, what they have been doing and the progress they are making. Parents are also kept well informed about their children's routines, ensuring consistent care is provided.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well trained and skilled childminder. She is committed to continuous improvement and development. She is able to regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of the care and education as part of an accredited quality assurance scheme. Children can help themselves to toys and play materials because resources are well organised and arranged at floor level. Children enjoy a good range and balance of play experiences because the childminder organises their day well. Routines are child centred and organised to include play and learning activities in the home and outside. The schedule includes arrangements for meals and snacks and time to relax and rest promoting children's welfare and meeting their individual needs. All required documentation, including written policies and procedures, which contribute to children’s health, safety and well-being are in place and are regularly

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Organisation

reviewed. It is apparent from the information given by the childminder and from the record of attendance, that the childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration, as she is caring for one child too many at certain times of the day. This has occurred because the childminder has had another baby of her own. After discussion, it was agreed that this is an oversight on the childminder's part, however, she acknowledges it is her responsibility to ensure the conditions are complied with at all times. The childminder demonstrates that the children are well cared for. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has continued to develop the range of resources to promote equality and to reflect a positive image of people in the community. This includes extending the range of books, puzzles and role play equipment. Children also take part in a variety of planned opportunities to celebrate different cultural festivals, such as, Diwali and Christmas. This helps them gain a greater understanding and respect of people's differences.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure the regulator is informed of any significant changes in circumstances and ensure that the conditions of registration are complied with at all times

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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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