Martin, Christine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY283413 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Angela Ramsey

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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 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?

Christine Ishmael lives in a three bed roomed house in Tower Hamlets with her husband and two school-aged children. The premise comprises of a front room and kitchen diner on the ground floor, and on the first floor three bedrooms, bathroom and separate toilet. There is also a garden. Ms Ishmael has no pets and smoking is not permitted in her home. Overnight care will not be provided and Ms Ishmael does not employ an assistant.

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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 are cared for in a clean, well organised and comfortable home. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practises, such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating their meals. The childminder maintains a good standard of cleanliness in her home. Positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures are in place to care for ill children. This reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children take part in a range of activities that contribute to their good health and physical development. There are regular opportunities for children to increase their physical skills, with visits to local parks, playing in the garden and visits to under fives groups. The childminder encourages cooperative play which encourages the children to take turns and to enhance their social skills. The childminders' sound understanding of the appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives

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Helping children to be healthy

children confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. The childminder keeps individual daily diaries where she will record, for example any accidents that may have occurred. This ensures information can be effectively shared with parents to ensure children's health needs are met. Children benefit from well planned varied meals that ensure their dietary needs are met throughout the day. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices at snack time with choices such as fruit, this helps them to learn about healthy living.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential hazards and as a result children are able to move freely and safely around the home and garden. The risk of accidents outside the home are also minimised because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe on outings. Reins are used when children are walking and the childminder also uses this opportunity to teach the children the green cross code and ensures that the children do not talk to strangers. The childminder gives high priority to maintaining children's safety and supervises the children at all times. The children are able to choose activities from a good variety of quality resources, which the childminder makes sure are suitable for their age and stage of development so they can play safely. The children are well protected, the childminder recognises her responsibility to the children in her care and understands the procedures she must follow if concerned

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about the welfare of a child. The childminder has also attended a health and safety course and devised an emergency escape plan to ensure children's safety.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled and make themselves at home within the childminder's home. The children relate well to the childminder because she joins in with their play and is very positive in her interaction. The children are able to enjoy and play with a wide range of activities both inside and outside of the home, this contributes to their development. The childminder encourages, praises and supports the children in their play which enables the children to be happy and secure and builds on their self-esteem and confidence. Children's independence is actively encouraged through accessible resources which enables children to make choices. Children develop a sense of belonging through the consistent routine and positive relationships they have with the childminder and other children. Children learn to listen and respond while enjoying and sharing stories, songs, rhymes and games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes children's learning by talking to them about what they are doing and asking questions that encourage them to think. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to enjoy and participate in activities at toy libraries, drop in centres and trips to the seaside and the cinema.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs well met because the childminder works closely with parents. The children settle well in the childminder's care because the childminder spends time getting to know them. Children behave well, the childminder has realistic expectations and her good use of praise and encouragement help build children's self esteem and self control. Children understand that house rules are made to keep them safe, for example, not climbing on the furniture. Children learn to be kind to each other by the childminder's good example and positive interaction. They show increasing independence, for example when they select toys and play materials and help tidy up. Children have access to resources and outings that promote a positive view of the wider community. The children are able to play with dolls, puzzles and dressing up clothes which reflect diversity. The childminder also provides books which are written

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in dual languages and show positive images of boys and girls and men and women from a variety of cultural backgrounds. This helps children to understand about the wider world.

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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 children feel at home and are happy in the well-organised environment which helps them gain confidence and be independent. Children's play opportunities are maximised because of the organisation of the childminder who ensures she understands the children's interests and promotes their enjoyment of the outdoors. Appropriate policies and procedures work well in practise to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. However the childminder's written complaint's procedure does not contain the name, address and telephone number of the regulator. Children's needs are well met because of the good relationships and effective communication the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents are kept well informed about their child's day and the care provided. All documentation is well maintained and kept confidentially. Overall, the provision

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Organisation

meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 the complaints procedure includes Ofsted's details.

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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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