Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316354 Inspection date 13 June 2006 Inspector Sharon Henry

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. Members of the household include her husband and their two children. The family live in a house in the Woodford area of the London borough of Redbridge. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under 8 years: of these not more than 2 may be under 5 years. She is currently minding two children under 5 years.

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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 eat a well balanced diet. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their individual dietary needs. All foods are home cooked . Children remain well hydrated as drinks are always available and replenished periodically throughout the day. Children's health is promoted as the childminder maintains all required consents for the administration of medication. The childminder ensures her knowledge of how to manage an accidental injury is updated and current practices applied as she vigilantly monitors the validity of her first aid qualification. There are clear procedures to protect children from illness or infection. The use of the National Childminding Association documents ensures all accidents and administration of medication are appropriately recorded. However, written parental permission is not requested for the

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Helping children to be healthy

administration of medication and the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's physical development is generally well supported with walks to the local school and the use of the garden Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines whilst older children sit quietly looking at books or watching favourite child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe secure family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. For example, socket covers and smoke alarms reduce the risk of harm to children. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times and know to ask permission, for example to access the upstairs toilet. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to ensuring children are safe whilst inside and outside the home. This enables children to be able to explore their environment safely whilst enjoying the effective security systems provided for their safe arrival and collection. Effective safety equipment is in place to maximise children's safety, for example smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children's safety is further promoted through the childminders knowledge and understanding of the local authorities child protection procedures. She is confident in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

her role in child protection issues with regard to reporting and recording any

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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 concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a home environment with a sufficient range of toys. The day is flexible to take account of individual children's needs. They enjoy a wide variety of interesting activities, that generally support their overall development. However, the learning opportunities for the under one year are minimised due to limited age appropriate equipment. For example, there are few opportunities to support early balancing and pre walking skills. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of younger children's development is satisfactory, but there is scope to develop this further through the use of the Birth to three matters framework. The children are learning to become independent and gain self-esteem through making choices in a positive environment. Children are confident and chat happily in the childminder's company. She uses lots of encouragement, praises and good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language to support the children. For example, a child chatters freely with the childminder who encourages his language development with open ended questions. There are noticeable good relationships between the children and the childminder. She engages the children in conversations and listens to their needs. This means that the children feel valued and develop a sense of self-worth and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well in the childminder's care. They are given lots of individual attention, which contributes to their good behaviour. Appropriate behaviour management techniques are applied to help children gain an understanding of right and wrong. The childminder praises and encourages children to build their self-esteem. They understand the ground rules and what is expected of them. They tidy away toys before choosing something else, which helps them gain a sense of responsibility. There are currently no children with special needs within the childminder's care. The childminder has a good understanding of the care required for a child with special needs. Close liaison with parents and outside agencies would ensure that all the children's needs are well planned for and met. The children's individual needs are well met, as they follow their normal daily routines and activities. They are welcomed into the home and are valued and respected as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

individuals. The children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and independently choosing what they want to play with from the resources set out.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and contented in the child-friendly environment. The space, resources, well-balanced routine and support offered by the childminder helps to encourage the children’s independence skills and overall development. The childminder ensures the adult:child ratio positively supports the children’s care learning and play. The childminder implements her procedures to promote the children’s health, enjoyment and achievements. She has a positive regard for children’s well-being and ensures her contracts with parents are reviewed and updated as necessary. The childminder is very aware of the children’s individual needs and is meticulous with the administration of the required medication and additional support required. Most of the documentation required for childminding purposes is in place. However,

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Organisation

consent for emergency treatment or advice has not been obtained from the parents. This could compromise the children’s welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since registration. 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 then 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 satisfactory. 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): • provide opportunities for children to experience imaginative play activities and

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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 increase toys and play materials to meet the needs of children under one year. • ensure written parental permission is requested, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

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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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