Independent Learning Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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136937 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Kay Bateson 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 since 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and eight years, in a house in a residential area of Bromley. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks, and transport links.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The minded children have access to the ground floor rooms of the property, with toilet and bathroom facilities upstairs. The front room is used as the main playroom and sleeping provision is provided in the rear room. Access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play is via the kitchen.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on additional trips to local toddler groups, library, parks, for outdoor play, as well as travelling to and from local schools or nurseries. She uses her car for minding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bromley childminding association. She holds a level three qualification in childminding practice.

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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 currently registered for four children under eight years at any one time and currently has six part-time children under eight on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding and know the importance of keeping themselves safe from infection and germs through regular routines. They are cared for in a clean home where the childminder follows good hygiene procedures. Children are independent when washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. They use separate clean towels for hand drying. Babies are learning about good practices as the childminder uses wipes on their hands after meals and changing nappies, as well as ensuring they wear a bib at meal times. This heightens the children’s awareness of the importance of adopting good practice, therefore, keeping themselves free from the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a choice of freshly prepared snacks and meals, planned in accordance to the wishes of the parents. The childminder pays particular attention to include healthy options for children to choose from, which support their dietary needs. She ensures they have sufficient drinks of water throughout the day to satisfy their thirst. Young children acquire new tastes and are encouraged to develop good eating habits, as they sit together eating. The childminder correctly prepares the food provided by the parents for babies. This complies with the baby’s individual dietary needs and parental wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and babies have good support and provision for their physical development. The childminder fully supports their individual needs for rest and active play. Babies have regular naps and can play indoors and out to master the growing skills of crawling, cruising, pulling themselves up and rolling a large ball. Children benefit from additional visits to local parks for extra physical play of running, playing ball and climbing on large play equipment. They are developing good hand control skills through activities planned with the childminder. This is apparent when children draw and cut paper using scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in a secure, welcoming home with a well organised play room. There is plenty of space inside and out for active play and quiet rest periods. They play with good quality toys and use suitable and safe equipment to meet their individual needs. The childminder pays firm attention to protecting them from possible hazards in and outdoors. She has many safety precautions in place around the home; she regularly practices the fire evacuation procedure with the children and ensures that they are safe from the sun and hot summer temperatures. At the inspection, an aerosol spray was within the reach of children in the bathroom and the garden hose was loosely stored on the ground. The childminder agreed to attend to these matters immediately to increase the safety of the children.

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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 Children know and are learning about keeping themselves safe, as they follow the childminder's good procedures. They know they keep safe from the sun as they put on cream and their sun hats, ready to play in the shaded areas of the garden. They are reminded to sit properly on chairs whilst eating their lunch, know where to go when they hear the fire whistle and to hold the buggy when walking along the road. Babies are learning about safety as the childminder is very vigilant as he moves around. This is apparent when they stand beside the paddling pool to splash the water and wear safety restraints when in a high chair or buggy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder’s firm understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect, also who to contact for advice. She has effective arrangements and procedures in place for the event of an emergency situation. She carries identification cards about herself and the children, with contact details, on her person when out. She has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and has arrangements for emergency cover with another childminder. This ensures the welfare of the children is safe at all times when with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident, very interested and involved when playing with the vast selection of toys provided by the childminder. They are able to make informed choices, select toys themselves from the labelled boxes and are learning to play harmoniously together. This is apparent when children plan, prepare themselves and play ‘bathing the babies’. They receive equal attention from the childminder, who takes an active part in their play. She engages with their conversations, extends their emerging reading skills and highly praises and values their work. This is clear from the displays of the children’s paintings around the room and the model flowers in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children greatly benefit from the activities planned with the childminder. She uses her informed knowledge from her child care training to support the learning of the children through play. Children readily suggest ideas for activities within a theme. The childminder skilfully relates them to the six areas of learning within the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Children are learning new skills as the childminder introduces French words relating to the current theme. The childminder takes time to reinforce learning from nursery. This is apparent when she helps children with key words in a reading book and correctly supports them to tackle a new word seen on a food label.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies are learning new skills as the childminder responds immediately to their actions and sounds. She involves the baby in the activities with the older children, which help develop important communication and socialising skills. This is apparent when they join in with water play, roll a ball and using interactive toys that play music. The childminder uses her informed knowledge of the Birth to three framework to plan learning experiences for babies around their daily routine. She includes excellent opportunities for sensory play for babies as they explore ‘treasure baskets’ and new materials. For example, when they crinkle cellophane, put wet hands on the ground, and pat the water excitedly. This ensures all children receive a balance of opportunities and learning experiences that support their individual needs.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder’s home. They are very happy, settled and at home as they play together. They are making firm relationships with the childminder and family members. This is apparent in the warm, mutual affection observed when the childminder talks to them while preparing their snack, playing, changing nappies and when babies wake after their nap. This ensures children feel valued and emotionally secure while away from their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a positive understanding about the diverse community they live in. This is through playing together, as well as using the interesting range of resources and books provided by the childminder that promote in-depth conversations. She includes opportunities for children to learn about different cultures, countries and food through the planned activities linked to festivals and celebrations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as they are cared for in a calm, pleasant and child organised environment. They benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder and respond well to requests to wash hands or tidy away. They play well together, sharing equipment and taking turns. Babies are learning important social skills when they play with or sit beside older children. As seen when playing at the paddling pool, pressing the buttons on an interactive toy or rolling a ball.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are happy with the care provided by the childminder. They benefit from the good working relations established by the childminder. She exchanges important information about the care on offer through her comprehensive portfolio and parent information pack. She keeps all required contractual and agreements up to date, correct and signed. She shares verbal and written information about the child’s day and discusses any concerns as they arise. She understands the importance of working closely with the parents when caring for a child with special needs. This ensures the children are well looked after according to their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in a well organised setting; they are able to access age appropriate toys or materials easily and independently with plenty of space for active and quiet play. They can self-select from the clearly labelled storage containers. These help children to find things quickly, help them when they tidy away, and with their early reading skills. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised around the varying needs and routines of the children. Children help plan activities, therefore playing an important part in the organisation of the setting.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder increasing her knowledge and understanding about child care and learning. She pays considerable attention to her self development and practice by actively attending numerous workshops and training. She has gained a full qualification in Childminding Practice. She uses the Foundation Stage Curriculum guidance and the Birth to three matters framework to support the learning outcomes for children. These have given her

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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 ideas to put into practice and a good understanding of the quality care needed for all children. This ensures that they continue to make good progress with learning.

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Organisation

The childminder manages the number of minded children alongside those of her family members well, giving equal attention to the different ages and needs. She keeps all records, contractual agreements, and details of children well organised, accurate and up to date. She has firm systems in place for recording attendance, accidents, incidents and administering medication. This ensures the children’s welfare and safety is secure at all times.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 agreed to devise a child protection policy, practise the fire escape plan and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All relevant agreements and documentation have been developed, copies are shared with parents and signed. This means parents are now well informed and that the children's welfare and safety is maintained when they become unwell or injured.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to practise the fire escape plan, which is now regularly practised with all children. This has reduced the risk to children in the event of a fire and heightened the children's safety awareness.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 the garden hose and bathroom chemicals do not pose a hazard to the children's safety.

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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 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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