Childminder in Havering

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320525 Inspection date 06 June 2006 Inspector Christine Eglinton

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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?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and six years in a house in a residential area of Collier Row, Romford. Their home is within walking distance of all local amenities. Although the whole of the property is registered, the ground floor is mainly used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for one child under five three days a week. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding

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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 Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home, where they benefit from appropriate levels of cleanliness and hygiene. Effective health and hygiene procedures are in place, and the childminder uses these well to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Good daily routines help children understand about the importance of personal hygiene. For instance, children know that washing their hands before eating, and after going to the toilet, helps prevents the spread of germs. Parents give prior consent for the childminder to administer medication, which ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Children who are infectious do not attend, and the childminder is knowledgeable about any communicable diseases. This helps to prevent the spread of infectious ailments. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history, to ensure she is able to meet children’s individual needs. Children benefit from a

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy diet. They have fruit and vegetables daily for snacks or part of their lunch. Children are given regular drinks during the day to ensure they remain hydrated. Younger children are able to access their drinking beakers independently, which encourages them to think about personal needs. Children play outside and extend their physical skills on a daily basis. They enjoy using a good and varied range of large outdoor equipment such as the trampoline, ball pond, and slide, which help children to develop their balance and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised home which allows them to move around and play safely. The childminder has utilised the space within the home effectively to meet children’s needs. Children have lots of room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable safe place to enjoy their meals. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which are suitable for children’s stage of development. They are able to choose their favourite toys, which are stored at low level. Toys are kept clean and visually checked to ensure they remain in good condition. This helps to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. The childminder ensures children are appropriately supervised while in her care to keep them safe, and children benefit from a suitable range of safety measures, for example, safety caps are fitted to electric sockets, and safety locks are fitted to low

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

level kitchen cupboards containing hazardous items. This helps to reduce potential

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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 hazards. Gentle reminders such as reminding children about why they must be careful of the stairs leading to the garden area, help children understand about keeping themselves safe. The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues. She knows what action she needs to take if she has any concerns about a child in her care. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have developed warm relationships with the childminder and receive lots of cuddles, which supports their emotional well-being. They enjoy sitting together on the childminder’s knee and snuggle in while listening to their favourite stories. Children enjoy and learn from a good range of activities which are stimulating and well balanced. Younger children are beginning to develop their own preferences, and are able to make choices for themselves. For instance, they are able to choose their favourite books, and choose what type of fresh fruit they have during their mid-morning snack. This allows children to make decisions, and take the initiative in their play and learning. Children relate well to the childminder who enjoys their company. They confidently approach the childminder for support, which indicates that trusting relationships have been built. Consequently, this helps children enjoy and achieve. Children enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

listening to stories and confidently turn the pages of the book. Outdoor visits to the local library, park, and toddler group, help children become aware of the local environment and offer children a wide range of experiences to further their learning and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to participate in the activities provided, which helps to ensure children have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. The childminder provides children with a range of resources, which help children to develop a positive view of the wider world. However, children are not being offered sufficient opportunities to help them to learn to appreciate and value their own and other cultures. The childminder makes expectations of behaviour clear, and gives clear requests which ensure children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable. Consequently, children behave well, and are learning to develop important social skills such as sharing and taking turns. For instance, they take turns in choosing books, and turning the pages. Children benefit from sound working relationships between the childminder and the parents. Regular informal discussions, and daily feedback about the child’s day, help

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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 to ensure continuity of care. Parents are given copies of the childminder’s policies and procedures, which help them make an informed choice.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time effectively, which enables her to offer children good support and supervision during their play, and daily care routines. The day is well balanced giving children ample opportunities for taking part in vigorous physical play, and quiet restful activities. For example, during the day children have great fun playing in the ball pond and jumping on the trampoline, and then relax and quietly look at books and play with puzzles. Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice and ensure children’s needs are met. Information kept about the children is relevant, and all mandatory records are in place. However, the childminder has not sought appropriate business insurance cover for when she transports children in the car. A good two-way flow of information between the parents ensures consistency of care. 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 made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase opportunities for children to benefit from activities that help them learn to appreciate and value each other’s culture, similarities, and differences • make sure that car insurance includes appropriate business cover.

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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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