Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282240 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2006 Inspection date Debra Davey 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her ten-year-old son on the Aylesbury estate, South East London. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and children are taken to local parks for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time; there are currently three children on roll. She regularly attends local toddler and sure start groups with the children in her care.

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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 are cared for in a clean home that ensures that they are kept free from infection. They benefit from clear daily routines for hand washing and toileting to help them learn good hygiene patterns. The childminder has clear procedures for measures to be taken when children are ill which ensures that children are safeguarded from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced diet because the childminder has good understanding of healthy foods and provides regular drinks. Most meals for children are provided by their parents and the childminder ensures that children are protected from allergic reactions by recording babies food intakes and keeping a list of their dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical well-being is further promoted because they enjoy regular outings to the park and local toddler groups. In this way, they have the opportunity to run jump and play, using their large muscles and developing their physical strength. The garden of the childminder's home is not suitable for children to use which means they have too few opportunities for spontaneous outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure in the childminder's home because she has measures in place to ensure that they are kept safe. For example, the front door is kept secure and safety gates are in place to ensure that children cannot fall on the stairs. Supervision of children in the setting is very good as children play close to the childminder and they are further protected in the event of an emergency because she is trained in first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment for children's care and play is suitable and safe, stored appropriately, with toys in easy reach, in low level boxes. This ensures that children are able to gain fully from the learning experiences on offer. The childminder has attended additional training in safety issues which ensures that she is well informed about checking that equipment is suitable and the use of risk assessments for outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe from harm in the setting because the childminder has a good understanding of issues relating to child protection. She has a detailed and useful policy that is shared with parents to ensure that procedures for reporting child protection concerns are clear.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children respond well to the warm and caring approach of the childminder. There is a clear settling in process to help children settle easily and the clear planned daily routine to help them feel secure. In this way, the childminder is able to get to know children well and provide for

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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 their individual needs. She talks to them constantly, fostering their confidence and helping to develop language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a good balance of home based activities, such as story telling, singing and painting, and outings to toddler groups. In this way children have fun and develop their social skills. Links with the child's home are strengthened when children take their artwork home and share their achievements with their parents. The childminder has attended Birth to three matters training which has developed her skills, for example, she uses treasure baskets for babies to foster their natural curiosity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Child progress is recorded using photographs and samples of their work; this information is shared with parents to ensure that they are well informed about their child's day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from regular outings to their local community, such as to the market to buy fruits. They experience the value of their own and other cultures by attending a regular community group for play and social activity. The childminder has a good range of toys and materials to positively reflect areas of culture, gender and disability; this helps to strengthen children's awareness of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved in the childminder's home. They are given lots of praise, clear explanations and the childminder has developed a useful policy to share with parents. Children with additional needs are cared for in the setting; they benefit from the childminder's positive approach to managing behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information to meet their needs through discussion and children's artwork to take home. This healthy partnership ensures that children are encouraged to share their achievements there by enhancing their well-being, development and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended several relevant training courses since her registration. As a result, children's care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. There is a clear daily routine which helps children feel secure. For example, the childminder plans her trips to local groups in advance and some days are spent at home for creative activities such as hand and foot painting or play dough. This ensures that children benefit from very good adult support during their play. Visits to the toddler groups ensures that children have a wide range of experiences to foster their all round development.

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Organisation

There is clear documentation in place to support the efficient organisation of the childminding. Parents are given an induction process to ensure that they are aware of policies and procedures. This includes contracts with parents, policies and emergency evacuation procedures.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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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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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 that children have daily access to outdoor play.

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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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