Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY282092 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Alison Joan Wadley

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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 outstanding. 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 lives in a three bedroom house in Charlton, South East London. She lives with her husband and two young sons. She is registered to care for four children under 8-years, of whom two children may be aged under 5-years and of these one may be aged under 1-year. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse, a network childminder and a member of the National Childminders Association (NCMA). The premises has a garden to the back of the property. The family have one cat.

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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 outstanding. Children benefit from being with the childminder who, in consultation with the parents, follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. Exceptional adult support through consistent communication with the children helps them gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. The childminder has a keen knowledge of Birth to three matters and puts this into practice very well. Her excellent understanding of each child’s stage of development means the children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. Children benefit from daily fresh air and the older children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise, regularly walking with the childminder. Their meals are well

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Helping children to be healthy

balanced and take account of the individual and cultural needs of all children. For example, the childminder has a vegetarian diet but is happy to accommodate parents wishes for the children to eat meat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards and accidental injury. She has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. For example, the children know that toys on the kitchen floor may be hazardous and help to tidy them away. They understand that they need to hold on to the childminders buggy when crossing the road. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. Children use high quality equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development and the childminder varies these by using her local toy library. Regular communication with parents contributes to children’s safety. Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

fire safety and record keeping. Her good knowledge of child protection policies and procedures shows that she gives top priority to children’s welfare whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with the childminder who is well qualified and experienced in childcare. They achieve well because she is highly skilled and uses her exceptional

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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 understanding of early years guidance, such as Birth to three matters to provide high quality care. Children's development is further promoted by regular outings to local playgroups where social skills are encouraged. Those who are new to the childminder are helped to settle and the childminder is sensitive towards their individual needs. Close and caring relationships; for example, through cuddles and communication increases children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. The high quality of interactions is extremely supportive of early communication skills. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, when painting the shed with diluted food colouring paint

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and when helping to prepare pizza or play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities; for example, when making photographic books and celebrating Diwali, which they discuss and share with their parents. Good quality resources used in play help support children's understanding of difference. The childminder is experienced in working with children who may be identified as having special educational needs particularly with regard to hearing impairment and often uses signing to compliment their communication skills. Children's behaviour is good and consistent with the childminder's expectations. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s wellbeing whilst with the childminder. She actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis

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Helping children make a positive contribution

throughout their time there. To further support this the childminder keeps a contact book detailing children's activities which they take home each day. In this way the childminder ensures that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder greatly enhances children's care by the exceptional quality of organisation. Her qualifications and experience with children holds her in good stead to work with a range of children including those who may have special educational needs. Her involvement in local network childminder groups enables regular information exchange and ongoing training where necessary. The well structured routine which includes trips to local childminder groups helps the children to settle and to become confident socially. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children and the children are encouraged to choose resources from accessible shelves to support their play and learning.

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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 All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and wellbeing is in place and is regularly shared with parents where appropriate. The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable, as this is the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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