Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY104337 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2006 Inspection date Elizabeth Anne Coffey 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 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 to care for children since 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, 15 and 16 years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a three bedroom house in West Norwood, in the London Borough of Lambeth. Children are cared for mainly on the ground floor and only use the first floor for sleeping facilities. There is a back garden, although this is currently not used by minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently caring for one baby.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Lambeth 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 good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are learning to develop good control of their bodies through activities both in the home and at local community resources. Children are taken out regularly to nearby parks and children's centres where they can enjoy fresh air and exercise. Babies and young children are able to sleep comfortably at times that match their individual routines. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Their individual toileting and nappy changing needs are well met by the childminder who demonstrates an awareness of, and commitment to, preventing cross-infection. Although there are no hand washing facilities in the ground floor toilet which the children use, the childminder addresses this by ensuring they use wet wipes and wash their hands at the kitchen sink. Children enjoy a healthy nutritious diet and menus are adapted to meet individual dietary needs. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder encourages the children to develop good eating habits, for example eating dried fruit and raisins at snack time. The childminder has appropriate record keeping systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication. Parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment is held. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the childminder has identified and minimised most risks in the home. She regularly reviews her practice and adapts the activities and equipment depending on the age and ability of the children she is minding and the areas of the home that she is using. For example, the revised use of the upstairs of the home, where windows are not fitted with locks or restrictors, and the lock on the ground floor toilet which the children use, means that children's safety is compromised. The side section of the garden, where there are uneven steps and footing, also poses a hazard to children. The childminder is keen to address these hazards to ensure children's safety is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn valuable lessons in personal safety, such as holding on and walking in a safe manner when on outings with the childminder. The childminder uses a car to transport children and ensures that all children are safely restrained in the car and that appropriate motor insurance cover is in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from close adult supervision, as they independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder protects babies and young children from choking hazards by ensuring that toys and materials within their reach do not contain small or detachable parts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm by the childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection and understands her responsibilities in following correct procedures in the event of a concern. She has attended specific training in child protection and has appropriate referral details in place.

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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 enjoy playing with the wide range of toys and play materials that are readily available to them. Children are provided with well planned imaginative activities that stimulate and interest them. They develop a strong bond with the childminder because she is attentive and responsive to their needs. Babies and young children confidently crawl and pull themselves up to standing position with support and encouragement from the childminder. She sings and chats to them and they giggle and laugh as she repeats familiar rhymes and action songs with them. Children's interests and attention span determine how long activities continue as the childminder tirelessly repeats games and activities which they are clearly enjoying. For example, children beam with delight and enthusiastically join in a game where the childminder pretends to hush a crying doll by putting it's dummy back in it's mouth, over and over again.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide range of outings outside of the home, including visits to local parks and children's centres. The childminder makes very good use of local toddler groups and drop-in sessions to extend children's social skills and provide fun and interesting activities for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled. They benefit from a daily routine that accommodates their individual sleep and feeding patterns. New children are helped to settle in because the childminder is calm and patient in her approach and takes time to get to know each child well. The childminder plans her day well to balance the needs of her own and minded children and to accommodate children's school runs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop their understanding of the local community through regular outings outside of the home. The childminder provides a very good range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, including books and posters and an excellent range of dolls of different ethnic backgrounds. This helps to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of different lifestyles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach towards caring for children with a range of needs and abilities. She has attended specific training in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has also attended specific training in managing children's behaviour. She uses age-appropriate strategies to deal with children's behaviour. Children's self-esteem is raised by very good use of praise and encouragement by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents' views are respected and they are kept informed about how their child has been during the day. This is further enhanced by the individual daily diaries which the childminder completes on each child and shares with parents. Clear, well-written policies and procedures are made available to parents and this helps to promote positive working relationships and identifies the expectations of all parties.

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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's care is enhanced by effective and efficient organisation. The childminder organises her daily routine around the children's needs. The day is well planned to accommodate journeys to and from school and to allow the children adequate time to rest, play and eat. The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced. She is proactive in attending further training in a range of childcare related topics. Knowledge and experience gained through such training help to underpin her childcare practice and ensures that she keeps up-to-date with relevant changes in legislation. This promotes the welfare of children.

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Organisation

Documentation is well maintained and all required record keeping systems are kept up-to-date. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her role and responsibility as a registered childminder. Information is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: ensure cat food and the garden hose were inaccessible to children, maintain a record of children's attendance; develop own knowledge of child protection referral procedures; develop a sick child policy; and provide a range of toys and activities that promote diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Arrangements for feeding the cat and storage of the garden hose ensure that they do not pose a risk to children. A register of children's hours and days of attendance is maintained. The childminder has increased her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures including attending a specific training course on this topic. There is a comprehensive written sick child policy in place that is shared with parents. Children have access to a very good range of toys and resources that help them to learn about and value diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These improvements help to promote the health and safety and welfare of children.

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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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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 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): • ensure children's health and safety is promoted when using the ground floor toilet (hand washing facilities, lock) • ensure children are protected from open windows on the first floor

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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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