Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY298452 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2006 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 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 been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children aged five years and eight years within the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's flat except for the master bedroom is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years and three children over five years before and after nursery school/school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. The childminder monitors hand washing after toileting and before meals. Good daily routines and explanation help children to understand that washing their hands reduces the risks of passing on germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of a healthy diet through discussion, during role play and helping to prepare snacks. They enjoy varied and nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder or their parents such as pitta bread, yogurts and fresh fruits and receive regular drinks and water throughout the day. This encourages children to develop healthy eating practices from an early age and ensure children remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activities that contributes to a healthy life style. For example, outings to the park and local children's groups where there is large play equipment and wheeled toys gives children plenty of opportunity to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she is able to give appropriate care if there is an accident. All the required records such as the accident records and the medication records are in place. Information relating to children's health is recorded, although the childminder has yet to request permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Effective procedures for children who are sick prevents the spread of infection.

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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 spacious well organised environment. This allows them to move around and play freely and independently. They have easy and safe access to a very good range of toys and resources. These are carefully selected by the childminder to ensure that children have a good choice of resources and are suitable for their age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to explore and learn about the things around them in an extremely safe and secure environment. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has taken positive steps to ensure that all aspects of her home is safe and minimises risks to children. For example, radiators are covered, a safety gate at the entrance of the kitchen prevents unsupervised access and the entrance door is secure to prevent children leaving the premises unsupervised. Children are supervised at all times and learning to keep themselves safe. The childminder and children regularly practice the emergency evacuation procedures. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Consistent boundaries helps children learn to take responsibility for their own safety.

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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's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she had a concern. She has all the required procedures and documentation in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They benefit from consistent routines and from socialising with other children through regular attendance at children's groups and the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time purposefully. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children make progress in all areas of their development. Children independently choose between a good range of toys and resources and spend time concentrating on self chosen activities. For example, children enjoy completing a range of puzzles. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, drawing and role play. For example, children take part in a range of creative activities. They make pictures and models of living things such as butterflies and flowers using a range of different materials and pretend to prepare meals in the well resourced home corner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's have lots of opportunities to develop their language and communication skills because the childminder talks and listens to children at all times. They are confident in discussing events in their life and enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has good understanding of how children learn and develop. She uses practical activities well to enhance children's learning such as recognising colours, numbers and different types of fish. She encourages children to have respect for the resources and creates an stimulating environment where children's work is displayed. This shows children's work is valued and gives them a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children talk happily about their home life and things that are important to them. They are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity and their understanding of others and the local community is promoted through routine trips to children's groups, outings and the library. They have access to some resources that reflect positive images of the wider world, provided by the childminder. For example, dolls, books and equipment for role play. Although there are no children attending with special needs, the childminder demonstrated how she will assess the needs of a child to determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and from basic ground rules that are consistently applied. The children help in the setting of ground rules. The childminder makes expectations of behaviour clear and gives reasons for request, ensuring children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable.

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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 Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children, and the childminder ensures that parents are kept informed about most of her policies and procedures. There are no procedures in place to record complaints and the childminder has not taken steps to ensure that parents are provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures; however, she has a positive attitude to implementing this.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment where they receive good support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children to initiate their own play and move around freely. Consistent daily routines and information kept about children ensures their individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training whenever she can to help her to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. For example, the childminder has attended first aid training and food hygiene training. Most documentation is maintained to a satisfactory standard. However, the childminder has not developed her policy for investigating complaints in line with new regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder and parents share information about the children. Regular informal discussions with parents and policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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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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 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): • request permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that parents are kept well informed of the procedures for investigating complaints and that the requirements for recording complaints are complied with

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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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