Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 510752 Inspection date 02 March 2006 Inspector Jeannette Waring

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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 lives in a three bedroom house in Charlton. Parks, shops, schools and pre-schools are located close by. The childminder has been registered since 1998. She has 4 children, the eldest 2 children have now left home, the younger 2 teenage children live with the childminder. Children use the lounge as their main play area together with the enclosed back garden. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of 5 children under 8. She provides care for children with special needs. Currently she is caring for a total of 5 children under 8, some of whom are cared for on a part-time basis.

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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 holds a NVQ level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education and she is currently following a course of study which will qualify her as an NVQ assessor. She has applied to join one of the London Borough of Greenwich Childminding Networks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder's careful cleaning and hygiene routines protect children from the risk of the spread of infection, for example she carefully washes her hands between and after nappy changes and makes sure that the family cat is regularly wormed. Children's health and wellbeing is protected as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and ensures that her first aid box is regularly checked and replenished. The childminder is aware of the requirement to keep an accident and medication record, however, she was unable to find this on the day of inspection. Children enjoy many opportunities for physical exercise as they walk to and from school each day and when they visit local toddler groups, childminder drop-in groups and parks. The childminder also ensures that they have sufficient time to rest and sleep each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied diet which includes a home cooked hot meal each day at lunch time. For example, on the day of inspection children were having fish, mashed potato and fresh vegetables. Children are encouraged to try new dishes and recently enjoyed a Chinese meal as part of a celebration of Chinese New Year and pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well promoted. The childminder has been careful to provide children with a safe and secure place in which to play. The main play area is the lounge/diner, together with the safely enclosed back garden, which is used during fine weather. Because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment of the areas used by children they are able to move around freely and in safety, although younger children are always accompanied when they go into the front room to select toys. All toys, which are maintained in a clean and safe condition, are safely stored at child height where children can access them safely for themselves. The childminder has a fire blanket but this could not be used quickly in an emergency as it is not fixed to the wall. The childminder is able to protect children in her care because she has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility regarding child protection. She has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

recently updated her child protection training, has a good knowledge of the signs that

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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 a child is or may be at risk of harm and has inter-agency referral forms stored in her childminding file.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, they are relaxed and happy and relate well to the childminder who responds to them with affection and kindness. Children enjoy playing with the range of toys provided and benefit from activities which promote their learning and development. The childminder reports that they enjoy painting, cornflower, papier-mâché and listening to stories, and in the summer they like to play with sand and water in the garden. Children enjoy frequent outings with the childminder as she visits toddler groups, childminder drop-ins, the toy library and local parks. During school holidays children benefit from being taken on special outings and in the past year they have visited the seaside, a farm, the zoo and the Science Museum.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment that values and respects difference. The childminder takes time to talk to parents about the families background and culture so that she can meet children's individual needs. Children have access to a small range of books and toys which reflect the wider community. Children with additional needs are offered good support and care. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals so that she can meet children's individual needs. Children behave well. The childminder has some simple rules in place, for example, children sit to the table for meals and do not jump on the furniture. Children know and understand these rules because the childminder applies them consistently. She uses re-direction and distraction to good effect with young children and reports that older children usually only need to be reminded of what is expected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forges good relationships with the parents of the children in her care. She uses written contracts and record forms, and these together with good channels of communication between parents and the childminder, ensure that children's care is appropriate and consistent.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder protects children by ensuring that all adults in the household are suitably vetted and by keeping her childcare knowledge up-to-date. She has obtained a level 3 NVQ in Childcare and Education, holds a current first aid certificate 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 continues to up-date her training by taking up relevant training opportunities offered by the local authority Early Years team. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are cared for in a well organised environment. The childminder organises her day around the school runs and the individual needs of the children in her care. She makes sure that they have time to rest and sleep and time to be active, she provides them with meals at regular times and ensures that they have a range of interesting play opportunities throughout the day. The childminder maintains and stores documentation satisfactorily. Most records are ready to hand, however, the childminder was unable to find her accident and medication record book for the inspection. All records are shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has re-organised the space used by minded children. The front reception room is now used to store toys and as a place where young children can sleep safely, undisturbed by the play of others.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised on 31/01/2005; the concerns related to National Standards 2 - Organisation, National Standards 6 - Safety and National Standards 7 - Health. An Ofsted inspector made an unannounced visit and no evidence was found that the National Standards had been breached. The provider remains qualified for 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):

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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 • make sure that the accident records are available for inspection at all times • make sure that the fire blanket it fixed to the wall in the kitchen so that it can be accessed quickly in an emergency.

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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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