Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307846 Inspection date 16 February 2006 Inspector Kay Bateson

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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 husband and 2 children aged 2 and 4 years, in a house situated in the residential area of the London Borough of Bromley. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks, and transport links. The minded children have access to the whole of the property, with the exception of the second floor bedroom. The ground floor rooms are used as the main play areas; bathroom and sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 family has pet goldfish. The childminder organises additional visits to the local park, library, toddler groups leisure centre and other places of interest for the children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends workshops or training organised through Bromley Early Years. The childminder is currently registered to care for 2 children under 8 years at any one time. She currently has 1 full time child under 5 years on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care, through daily routines. They learn about good hygiene as they consistently wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. Babies are learning through the childminder following good procedures, as seen during nappy changing, before and after meal times. The childminder follows sound arrangements for the care of sick children and has yet to obtain prior consent from parents for the administration of medication. She agreed to attend to this immediately to reduce the risk to the welfare of the child. Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities for physical play. The childminder fully supports their individual needs for rest and active play. They can use a variety of outdoor equipment with sufficient space to play in the garden, as well as enough space indoors for playing on the floor with toys. The childminder takes them to play in

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Helping children to be healthy

the local parks, walks to the local pre-school, toddler groups and library. She encourages children to develop strong body control and skills at all times. This is apparent when watching children confidently go up and down stairs, as well as babies walking along furniture attempting to take their first steps unaided. Children are encouraged to develop good eating habits as they sit together during a meal or snack. They are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through the childminder encouraging them to choose from healthy options available for snacks and meals. Children play an active part in the preparation of their lunch. They are able to spread margarine on their bread and put ham inside to make a sandwich, which they then eagerly eat afterwards. The childminder correctly stores and serves the food and drink provided by the parents for babies. This complies with the baby’s individual needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a secure and welcoming home. There is plenty of space inside and out for active or quiet play. They play with a range of good quality toys and

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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 equipment that is safe and suitable for the ages of the children. They are learning about keeping themselves safe at all times, as they follow the childminder’s sound procedures. Children have gentle reminders about sitting properly on chairs at tables, not to climb onto the furniture and to think before descending the stairs. The childminder closely monitors young children as they move freely between rooms, ensuring babies play with suitable toys. Children are learning about important rules for road safety as they talk and look at the pictures in a book. The childminder reinforces these important messages when they go out for a walk. This heightens the children's awareness to keeping safe at all times. Children happily play in a suitably safe home where the childminder pays sound

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

attention to reducing risks and hazards to them. She ensures children and babies wear safety restraints when travelling in the car, sitting in buggies and high chairs. She has suitable safety protection in place in all the rooms the children use. She obtains consent from parents to take children on outings, travel in cars and carries contact numbers to use in an emergency. The safety of the children is at some risk from a hot radiator in the dining area and the unattached fire blanket in the kitchen. Their safety could be at risk when out with the childminder as she does not yet carry information with her stating she is a registered childminder. This will put all children at risk in the event of an accident happening to the childminder. She agreed to attend to these matters immediately to increase the safety of all children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children become very involved and interested for a good length of time in their chosen activity. The childminder supports them well by providing a wide selection to toys that support their different ages, which provide sufficient challenges, maintains interest and promotes conversation. This is apparent when they play with puzzles and when babies manipulate buttons to make lights or sounds work. Children and babies are developing good social skills as the childminder encourages them to play with toys together and takes them to toddler groups. They benefit from the additional outings the childminder takes them to. For example, the local park to play on the swings, feed the ducks, visits to local places of interest and song time at the library. This ensures children receive a balance of opportunities and learning experiences. Children’s growing independence is encouraged and supported by the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

allowing them to master self help skills. Children are encouraged to use the toilet independently, wash hands and select toys that want to play with. Babies are encouraged to move freely around the room, using furniture to help with walking and are able to feed themselves with finger food at meal times. They benefit from the full equal attention the childminder gives the children. She talks to the children when they are drawing or completing puzzles and responds very well to the baby’s actions or early talk. She talks to the baby as she changes her nappy, when they look together at the photographs on the wall and uses gentle reassuring words to her as she wakes up. This ensures children feel valued and emotionally secure, which provides

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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 the necessary firm foundations for successful learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, feel secure and are making strong bonds with the childminder. They get equal attention from the childminder who manages the age difference and their individual needs very well. The baby gives the childminder lots of smiles, likes to snuggle up to her and becomes excited on seeing her dinner coming. Babies settle quickly when upset or tired with the comforting words and actions the childminder uses. This enables children to feel emotionally safe and secure while away from their parents. Children are developing an awareness and sound understanding about their diverse community they live in. This is through the childminder providing toys, books and pictures that reflect positive images of people and children. She fully understands the importance of working closely with parents of a child with special needs or a disability. In turn, this maintains the continuity of care for the individual child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement given to them by the childminder. They respond well to the requests of the childminder, who uses firm but fair strategies for dealing with any inappropriate behaviour. Children are learning to use good manners when at the table and during playing with each other. The childminder encourages children to use ‘please and thank you’ words and to let each one have a turn when sharing a book or toy. This helps children learn important social skills, as well as a good understanding of right and wrong. The childminder establishes firm relationships with the parents of the minded children. She regularly informs them about the child’s day and activities they have done together. She has obtained most of the necessary written agreements with parents and keeps the children’s information up to date and correct. She is looking at improving her method of informing parents about her childminding service by

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Helping children make a positive contribution

providing them with a written copy of her policies and procedures. This ensures that parents are fully informed and reassured that their child will be looked after according to their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the way the childminder organises play areas, toys and equipment. These fully support the varying ranges of ages and developmental needs of all children. Minded children feel welcome and are very at home as they play with family members. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised by the childminder to broaden their experiences. The childminder pays sound attention to attending training and courses. Therefore, children will benefit from the increase knowledge of the childminder, as she supports their understanding and individual needs.

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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 The childminder pays sound attention to keeping all required documentation, records, and details of the minded children, accurate and up to date. All contractual arrangements and most parental agreements are in place. At the inspection, the childminder agreed to organise a complaints log, to obtain prior written permission from parents for administering medication and to make some adjustments to the existing method of storing the children’s individual details. This will ensure children’s welfare and safety was not delayed in the event of an emergency situation. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • improve the safety of children by carrying identification about being a childminder and obtain prior written consent from parents to administer medication.

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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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