Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY280196 Inspection date 28 February 2006 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 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 2 years and 9 years, in a 4 bedroom house in New Eltham, close to New Eltham main line train station. The whole of the premises are used for childminding, however, children generally use the lounge and dining area for play. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There is currently 1 child aged 2 years on roll. She is cared for on a part time basis. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The childminder follows good hygiene practices and explains these, so that children know why they need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before eating food and after when they come in from school. The children and visitors to the home are encouraged to remove their shoes when they come in from outdoors. Children's health is safeguarded as the childminder has made good provision should a child become unwell whilst in her care. For example, parents are aware that if a child is unwell, the childminder will reassure and care for them until they arrive to collect them. She has a clear policy, agreed with parents, which states children who are clearly unwell or infectious are not accepted. This prevents the spread of contagious ailments and protects all children. The childminder helps children develop healthy eating habits by preparing and cooking nutritious light meals and snacks, such as, various sandwiches and beans

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Helping children to be healthy

and sausages and they always have fruit after meals. They have a large bowl of chopped up fruit available after school and sometimes they have buttered buns. Children sit at the table to eat which encourages good habits and sociable conversations. They can ask for a drink whenever they want one. Younger children have individual cups, to promote independence. Food complies with dietary needs and children's preferences so that parent's wishes are adhered to. Parents are kept informed of their children's food intake verbally at the end of the day. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating as the childminder feels it is very important that children realise the benefits for them now and in later life, such as, having strong bones and teeth and avoiding obesity. The childminder ensures children have regular physical exercise. Children use the garden in the good weather, where they build there own obstacle courses and create

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Helping children to be healthy

their own games. Younger children have daily opportunities to exercise, both indoors and at local pre school groups. This includes, dancing and singing. This helps them understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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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 secure and well organised environment. They have opportunities to access a variety of safe and suitable toys, resources and equipment. The childminder carries out a daily visual check of the premises to minimise risks and identify and remedy possible hazards. This allows children to move around safely and enjoy their play in a secure environment. Toys and resources are carefully selected and checked regularly to ensure they are suitable for children to use. They are regularly rotated so that children are provided

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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 with a good, stimulating variety that they do not grow tired of. The childminder is vigilant and ensures that children are happily occupied and safe, both in the home and while playing in the garden. Effective safety systems in the home ensure children are kept safe. For example, safety gates in prominent positions, reinforcing safety messages to children about kitchen safety and having some appropriate fire safety precautions in place. Although the childminder has given some thought about how to evacuate the premises in the event of a fire, this has not been practised with the children to ensure it is effective. The children are kept safe when on outings. The childminder ensures she has consent to transport children in a car, as well as ensuring that she can contact parents should the need arise to do so. The childminder encourages children to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

develop their sense of safety through discussions about the road and the issues around 'Stranger danger'. The childminder understands how to protect children and ensures children's welfare is safeguarded through appropriate procedures and documentation.

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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 and with good humour. Children receive a good amount of attention because the childminder sits and plays with them and is an active participant in their games. Young children like taking part in role play, where they create their own stories using finger puppets. Children enjoy a good rapport with the childminder who comforts, cuddles and reassures them throughout their play times. Children efforts and achievements are praised and encouraged consistently, helping them to feel confident, secure and make good progress. Children participate well and thoroughly enjoy the activities provided indoors, such as, cooking rice crispy cakes and playing musical instruments along with the children's music tapes playing in the background. Children's speech and language are developing well because the childminder talks to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children all the time. Children are introduced to new words helping them to widen their vocabulary. Children are able to repeat and practise new words promoting good pronunciation. They are able to recognise many colours and this is linked to identifying different fruit and vegetables during story time. A firm quiet activity with the children is story time, where they sit comfortably with the childminder on the floor. They enjoy the closeness as they interact with each other and take turns answering questions to the current favourite books ' Baby's bath time' and 'Winnie the Pooh'. Children enjoy attending community groups which provide a familiar play and learning environment. Children's social skills are promoted though opportunities to learn sharing and taking turns. They can enjoy creative activities such as painting and sticking and can also take part in small group activities, as the childminder is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

always available to the children in the setting to help them try new things. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the Birth to three matters framework, however, this has not been implemented in the provision as yet and consequently the

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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 benefits for the younger children are wholly apparent. The childminder is keen to learn about this and implement it for the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and has a positive attitude towards diversity. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves, they play with resources that reflect diversity; this helps them develop a balanced view of the world. Children gain confidence by being acknowledged by their carer as important individuals which helps them develop a sense of belonging. The childminder has not cared for a child with special needs, however, she demonstrates a realistic attitude to meeting the needs of all children. If asked to care for a child with special needs or a disability, she would find out more about the specific condition and work closely with the parents and other professionals to meet the needs fully. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and recognition of good behaviour. Children behave well and play together harmoniously due to the good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

attention and support the childminder gives to them. They respond well to gentle reminders to care of each other and the toys. The childminder has developed a behaviour management policy, which is shared with parents. This reinforces the need to recognise and acknowledge good behaviour. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and kept fully informed of the childminder’s practice through verbal feedback when they collect children. Parents have access to a variety of good information about the childminding service, including helpful policy statements and information on how to contact the regulator. This develops parents' confidence in the service and ensures the children’s welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides well for children because she has much experience in childcare. She keeps up to date with improvements and changes in childcare through her membership to the National Childminding Association and also through links with other registered childminders. Children benefit from her sound knowledge and practical experience enabling them to feel safe, secure and well cared for. Children can help themselves 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. Children enjoy walks to the park and library and visits to groups. The schedule includes arrangements for meals and snacks and time to relax and rest

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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 promoting children's welfare and meeting their individual needs. Children can play safely and happily in the home because it is well arranged with access to the garden directly from the dining room. Children can rest or sleep downstairs where the childminder can see and hear them because space can be created for the travel cot to be set up in the living room if required. Children are supervised appropriately when the childminder is in the kitchen and the childminder provides stimulating activities to keep them occupied. The childminder keeps appropriate records that promote accountability and ensures they are stored securely aiding confidentiality. Most information is exchanged verbally with parents and they have good opportunities to share and discuss their children's

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Organisation

needs and progress on a daily basis. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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 outcomes for children from birth to three years by using an approach in line with Birth to three matters • consider practising the emergency evacuation procedure with children to further enhance safety systems

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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 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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