Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY225719 Inspection date 20 March 2006 Inspector Janet Sharon Williams

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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 2002. She lives with her son aged 5 years. They live in Central Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth, within walking distance to shops and local amenities. Minded children have access to the living room, 2 bedrooms and bathroom on the upper floor. The childminder is registered to care for the maximum of 4 children at any one time. She is currently providing care for 2 children aged 3 years. The childminder attends local childminder's drop in groups.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and clean environment, where good hygiene habits are put into practice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practises. They wash their hands and after using the toilet and messy play. Some parents provide their children’s meals and the childminder works well with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. Although, healthy and nutritious meals are inconsistent. Children receive a range of healthy snacks, such as fruit or wheat snack bars. Meal times are used as a social event, where children are seated at the table and share with the childminder and each other what they have on their plates. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals. Children stay healthy and enjoy a range of outdoor activities on a regular basis. For example, outings to the park and local drop in groups, where there is large play

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment and apparatus, which gives children plenty of opportunity to enhance their physical skills. The childminder has an effective system in place to record accidents, medication administered and for the treatment of emergency and medical advice. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired, although this does not affect her ability to provide appropriate medical care for children who attend.

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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 welcoming and secure environment. Most areas accessible to the children are safe because the childminder has taken the necessary precautions to minimise accidents. For example, stairs are inaccessible to the children. However, some sockets not in use are not covered and the smoke detector has been removed. On outings, children are strapped in the appropriate car seat and children know they must wait at the kerb before crossing the road. Children are supervised at all times. They move around the setting happily, comfortably, know boundaries, learn and explore with limited danger. Children access and use suitable and safe equipment. They can choose and help themselves from an appropriate selection of toys and equipment, as they are stored at child's level. The childminder regularly checks toys and equipment to ensure that they are safe and in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and protected as the childminder has a good understanding of the procedure to follow with any concerns of abuse and knows what

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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 to look for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities, both within the home setting and wider environment, such as books, puzzles, physical and imaginative play, creative activities, trips out to the local park and childminder's drop in groups. This provides children with a range of experiences, which helps promote their overall development. Children's individual need and routines are very well met in an environment where they receive consistent care, which encourages them to progress and develop their confidence, independence and self-esteem. Children make positive relationships. They relate well to each other, co-operate, share well and socialise with each other. Children initiate their own play from using resources creatively and imaginatively. For example, developing their own ideas with the play kitchen unit, such as pretending to cook. Activities support children's language, mathematical thinking and imagination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's interaction with the children is good. The children enjoy being close with the childminder through sharing books, talking, listening and asking the children open ended questions. The childminder is responsive to the children's individual needs; she pays good attention to children and engages them well in play to extend their learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are respected and treated as individuals. They are cared for in a diverse community and are aware of people who are different from themselves, although the childminder has limited resources to reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity. She has no resources to raise children's awareness about disability. Children behave well, as they are fully occupied. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement through the childminder using positive frequent phases. She is a good role model. She is courteous, polite and where children's behaviour is not acceptable she takes time to explain right from wrong. Children feel valued because the childminder puts considerable care into meeting their individual needs. She has a satisfactory knowledge of the issues surrounding the care of children and is proactive in addressing issues. Children are well cared for through the childminder's positive relationship with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents. Information is shared with them regularly to ensure the child's individual needs are met at all times.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment providing suitable areas for rest, play, sleeping and time outdoors. They are cared for according to their needs because the childminder's child ratio is well maintained, which positively supports children's care, learning and play. All the relevant documentations are detailed, kept up-to-date, stored to maintain confidentiality and easily accessible at all times. Children are cared for according to their needs because the childminder uses the information she holds effectively to promote their well-being. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve resources and activities that promote equality of opportunity and ant-discriminatory practice, request written permission from parents for seeking emergency treatment and ensure the hot water pipes connecting to the heater are inaccessible to the children. The safety of the hot water pipes has been satisfactorily addressed and written parental permission has been obtained for emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has few resources to promote children's awareness of race, religion, culture and disability.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been no complaints since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children's meals are balanced and nutritious • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • provide smoke alarm which conform to BS EN standard • update first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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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