Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY104048 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2006 Inspection date Elizabeth Ellen Mackey 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?

This childminder registered in 2002. She lives with her adult daughter in a house, in central Croydon. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, she is currently caring for four children aged three and under, all attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and is a member of the Croydon Childminding Network.

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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 satisfactory. Children's well-being is promoted by being cared for in a warm and caring environment where their emotional development is nurtured. Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder, who offers consistent support; children are happy and settled. There is a satisfactory standard of hygiene throughout the home and children receive appropriate guidance to develop good personal hygiene skills and their independence is encouraged. They learn the importance of hand washing before meals and after touching animals. This helps to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of children’s development and encourages children to enjoy a range of physical activities. Children enjoy garden activities, for example, water play and also attend a wide range of activities outside of the home, for example, soft play, toddler groups, library, the farm and local parks. This contributes to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks, the childminder provides meals in agreement with parent's wishes. She has a good understanding of promoting healthy eating and ensures meals and snacks are healthy. Children eat at different times according to their routines. Drinks are available throughout the day. Children can rest and play when they need to and the childminder follows routines and respects children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an organised environment where most hazards have been minimised. The childminder prioritises children's safety and minimises risks to children both inside and outside of the home, for example, children's outings are fully risk assessed by the childminder. There are overgrown bushes and nettles in the garden, which pose a potential hazard to children, therefore, a recommendation has been made to improve the safety of children in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access a wide range of toys and activities, which the childminder ensures are suitable for their age and stage of development. Clear and consistent boundaries, along with close supervision, enable the children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by a childminder who has attended child protection training and clearly understands her role in protecting children, this safeguards and promotes children's welfare. The childminder has all required procedures and documents in place and ensures parents are aware of them, for example parents acknowledge accident and medication records with their signature.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. They receive lots of affection from her and they respond well to the attention they are given. Consequently, the children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. The childminder has good knowledge of the children she cares for and her interaction with them is consistent, gentle and fair. The children are helped to settle, and the childminder balances their needs very well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of planned activities that are stimulating and well organised. A balance of adult and child initiated games and activities help children to make progress in all areas of learning. Activities are effectively planned, because the childminder implements the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder observes what children can do to help identify their next steps for learning. The childminder supports the children well by engaging in their play and supporting them with resources. The children are fully immersed in their play and thoroughly enjoy themselves. Children can access the resources independently in the playroom and enjoy a range of craft activities including painting and sticking. Children's work is displayed in the playroom and children also take work home, this acknowledges their achievements and helps to build their confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are cared for by a childminder who demonstrates a commitment to updating her practice through training. For example, the childminder has attended Birth to three matters framework training, this enriches the provision for children under three years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and the childminder uses praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem, this contributes to their sense of well-being. Children become aware of their own and other cultures due to the childminder's positive attitudes towards diversity, for example the childminder promotes the individuality of each child and helps them to gain a better understanding of each other. The childminder offers an inclusive service and although she does not have experience of caring for children with special needs, she is a member of the childminding network and would seek the information and training required. She has a good understanding of how to meet and plan for children’s individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly, supportive and they are welcomed. They are informed of their children's progress through a daily exchange of information both verbally and in note form. Children are cared for according to the needs of the parents and their work patterns, the childminder offers a flexible service. The childminder keeps parents fully informed of her policies and procedures through good communication systems and ensuring information is displayed. There is a system for the childminder to record complaints made by parents and a procedure advising parents of the process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and respond to requests for good behaviour. The childminder has attended training in behaviour management and there are clear boundaries in place which the

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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 children understand and respond positively to. This ensures good relationships and promotes harmony.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home is appropriately organised to allow children to play freely, safely and independently. The childminder uses her time well and children benefit from good adult support. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder continues to develop her skills through regular training and is committed to developing her own practice. Both the childminder and assistant are studying for a level three qualification in childcare. Records are confidentially stored and underpin the efficient and safe management of the childminding service.

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Organisation

Accident and incident records are correctly maintained, however the childminder has not complied with a requirement within the regulations, to notify Ofsted of a significant event. A recommendation is made for the childminder to notify Ofsted of the incident details.

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Organisation

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 increase the range of resources that reflect cultural diversity. The childminder has extended her equipment and now has an increased range of multi-cultural resources, which increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder was also asked to improve the safety of the playroom and garden, she has now moved potential hazards out of the children's reach and secured the garden gate. The childminder was asked to devise a procedure for when children are sick. A sickness policy is now included in the childminder's policies and is available to parents.

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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

Ofsted has received two complaints since April 2004. Concerns were raised which related to the number of children being cared for in the household. These concerns related to Standard 2 organisation. The complaints were investigated by Ofsted. The outcome was, there was no evidence that standards had been breached and no further action was taken. The second complaint, concerns were raised which related to the behaviour management strategies in place, these concerns related to standard 11 behaviour. The complaint was investigated by Ofsted. The outcome was, there was no evidence that standards had been breached.

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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): • ensure children can play safely in the garden • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters (seeking emergency medical treatment)

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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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