Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY230838 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2006 Inspection date Susan Linda Capon 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 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 16 and 10 years in a house situated in the London Borough of Bromley. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available 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 minding three children on a part-time basis. One child over eight years attends on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the "Extra Network" providing care for children and families in need. The childminder has completed the Certificate in Childminding Practice. She uses local amenities on a regular basis including local parks and parent and toddler groups.

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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. All the children are developing a very good understanding of the importance of keeping themselves healthy and free from infection. They use sound hygiene routines at all times, for example, they wash their hands before eating and after touching the farm animals. The children use liquid soap and have their own face flannels and hand towels. These are washed at a high temperature every day to prevent the spread of infection. Younger children learn how thoroughly they should wash their hands at all times as the childminder provides a good role model. The children are free from cross contamination through the good hygiene routines followed by the childminder, for example, she wears disposable gloves for nappy changing and cleans her work surfaces with anti-bacterial spray prior to food preparation. The childminder keeps the outdoor sandpit covered and regularly checks the sand before the children use it to ensure it is clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate treatment when they have an accident and the childminder ensures her first aid qualification is regularly updated. Excellent accident records are shared with parents. The childminder monitors her accident book to identify any ongoing problems which may affect the safety of the children. Her excellent medication administered records ensure the children's safety at all times in line with the written agreements made with the parents. Children are unable to access any medication keeping them safe at all times. Her detailed sickness policy and procedures ensures parents are fully aware of the need to keep unwell children at home to prevent the spread of infection

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of physical activities on a regular basis which contributes to their good health. They access a good range of suitable equipment for climbing, jumping and sliding both in the childminder's garden and at the local parks. The children are learning to develop these skills as they play alongside one another developing their confidence and self-esteem. All the children enjoy playing in the autumn leaves and feeding the ducks and geese. The children are developing an understanding of how their body works as they know when they need to take a rest or a drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the children enjoy healthy, nutritious balanced meals and snacks every day which meet their individual dietary needs and take into account their parent's wishes. The childminder uses fresh organic fruit and vegetables when available to prepare the home made meals and snacks. A menu is readily available to the parents to ensure they are happy with the food offered for their child. Some children eat food their parents provide which is suitably stored by the childminder to prevent cross contamination. The childminder uses a thermometer to ensure her refrigerator and freezer are at a suitable temperature and uses separate coloured chopping boards to prepare meat and fish to prevent the spread of infection. All the children enjoy fresh fruit for their snacks and enjoy helping to wash the grapes. The childminder extends the children's understanding of healthy eating through interesting activities including a trip to the

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Helping children to be healthy

local greengrocer to purchase some fruit and the children fully participated in preparing it for a meal. They enjoy making some porridge as the childminder skilfully links the activity to "Goldilocks and the three bears". Older children enjoy collecting the apples from the fruit trees and using them to make a dessert. The children have access to water and milk throughout the day. Drinks of fruit squash are sugar free and limited each day to help keep the children's teeth

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and gums healthy. All the children eat well and are developing appropriately. The children sit together at the dining table developing their social skills and table manners.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very clean, safe, secure, warm and welcoming child friendly home. It is in good decorative order throughout making it a pleasant place for children to spend their time. The furniture is well organised providing the children with ample space to move around freely as they play together and alongside one another. All the children explore their environment safely as the childminder has minimized all the hazards both in and outdoors, for example, she has a gate fitted to the playroom entrance preventing children from accessing the kitchen, stairs and front door unnoticed. Children are developing their understanding of how to keep themselves safe when they are outdoors as they learn the green cross code for crossing the road safely and stay close to the childminder when visiting the farm. The childminder uses individual wrist bands for the children with her mobile contact number listed to ensure children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety at all times. All the children have practised the well organised emergency evacuation procedures and older children are fully aware of their individual role in helping younger children if required. The childminder has extended her equipment for identifying potential dangers through the addition of a carbon monoxide detector in her kitchen. She carries the children's photos and emergency contact details whenever she is away from her home ensuring parents are fully informed if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access an extensive range of suitable, safe and well organised resources. Children under two years use a wide range of quality equipment to meet their individual needs, for example, high chairs and a baby gym. The children are encouraged to clear the toys away frequently preventing accidents. All the home furnishings, toys and equipment used by the children are very clean, in good order, suitable and safe for their needs. The children are safe and secure through the childminder's positive attitude and excellent knowledge and understanding of managing child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are fully stimulated through the provision of an excellent range of quality toys and equipment and interesting activities readily available to them. Children's development and learning is extremely well supported through the thorough planning of activities based on the "Birth to three matters framework". The children enjoy a wide and varied range of topic based activities including a visit to the greengrocers to support healthy eating. They enthusiastically spoke about their visit to the local field studies centre where they enjoyed activities related to the environment, for example, making leaf pictures. The childminder has developed an excellent understanding of how to support the children's learning and development extending the activity to keep the children interested and stimulated. She identifies the children's learning and plans for their next steps for progression. The children enjoy a range of creative activities including

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

free painting and mixing colours. They access an extensive range of good quality toys and

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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 equipment on a daily basis. The childminder keeps the children interested and stimulated through good rotation of the equipment. The toys are well organised and children make their own selection from the range available on a daily basis, for example, they construct with the Duplo, complete puzzles, play imaginatively with the cooker, play food and utensils. Younger children particularly enjoy a range of activities outside the home including visits to parent and toddler groups and the child minding drop in. They meet other children of a similar age and participate in a range of interesting activities, for example, making an Easter card and bonnet. The children and childminder interact well with one another as she sits alongside them on the floor playing with them skilfully developing their language and mathematical skills, for example,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

completing a floor puzzle together and discussing the picture and shapes. Some children have attended since being babies and enjoy looking at the photographs of themselves and other minded children. They keenly discuss what they were doing, for example, enjoying a teddy bears picnic with other minded children. The children have developed an excellent relationship with the childminder and other family members making them feel at home and part of the family. The childminder regularly praises the children's efforts and achievements helping them to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The children are learning to play well together, share, take turns and co-operate both with one another and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All the children and their families are fully valued, respected and treated as individuals. Children attend from a variety of cultures. The childminder also provides excellent support for children and their families as she is part of the Childminding Extra Network. This ensures families and children in need have access to good quality care and have a sense of belonging. In turn this reinforces the child's security enabling them to develop good self-esteem. The children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world about them and other people through the excellent range of resources readily available to them. This includes books, dolls, figures and videos reflecting positive images for race, culture and disability. The children particularly enjoy watching the Makaton video and joining in with the actions and songs, for example, the wheels on the bus. All the children are developing their independence skills as they make their own

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Helping children make a positive contribution

choices and selections throughout the day. Children with special needs receive excellent care and attention as additional equipment is incorporated to meet their individual needs, for example, large print books for sight impaired children. The childminder has extended her personal knowledge and understanding of providing for children with special needs through attending the Mencap training. This will ensure children with special needs will continue to progress and develop appropriately. The individual needs of all the children attending are met at all times, for example, younger children maintain their rest and sleep patterns providing continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the children are very settled and secure in their surroundings. They express pleasure at being with the childminder and enjoy her company. The children behave well through the excellent behaviour management strategies used by the childminder. She uses a calm, consistent approach supplemented by a sticker reward system for good behaviour. This works very well as the children enjoy selecting a sticker to add to their individual rewards card. They are aware

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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 of the clear, consistent house rules and boundaries, for example, sitting on the furniture and sharing the toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the excellent relationships developed between the childminder and the children's parents. She provides good quality care as she follows the detailed information contained in the written contracts with the parents. She keeps the parents fully informed about her provision through regular feedback and updated agreements, for example, changes to her complaints procedures in line with the variation to the National Standards. The parents receive a photographic record of their child's time with the childminder when the child leaves the provision. Every parent receives written information about their child's day through the daily contact book. This keeps the parents informed about how the child has spent their day including their individual progress and development. Parents receive detailed information about the childminder's setting through her extensive well organised portfolio including her policies and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures. She regularly provides a parent's questionnaire giving parents the opportunity to express their personal views about her provision. This enables the childminder to identify any areas of concern or needing improvement. Parent's feedback from these questionnaires shows they are very happy with the care and safety of their children and have no suggestions for improvement.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are very well cared for in a well organised provision throughout. They have access to suitable areas for resting, sleeping, eating, playing, "messy" activities and time outdoors on a daily basis. All the toys and equipment are of an excellent quality and very well organised throughout the home. The children benefit from the childminder's professional approach to childminding and her sound knowledge and experience of child care and children's development. She has undertaken extensive training since the last inspection showing dedication to her role as a childminder and the children she minds. This training includes the completion of the Certificate in Childminding Practice which is equivalent to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3 qualification in child care. Her well organised portfolio, well written policies and procedures and detailed records show how she organises her business professionally providing

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Organisation

very good quality care for children. All her records are very secure and maintain confidentiality. She keeps abreast of any changes to the National Standards implementing these within her setting and keeping the children safe and secure at all times. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to ensure any creams/lotions are not used on minded children without the parent's consent. All creams and lotions have been removed from the first aid kit and are never used on the minded children. This ensures the safety of the children at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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

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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