Childminder in Havering

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY330115 Inspection date 06 June 2006 Inspector Toni Hanson

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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 registered in March 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, six and four years in a house, in a residential area of Hornchurch, Essex. Their home is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a main line train station. Apart from the main bedroom, all areas of the property are used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding five children aged between three and

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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 eight years, all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children, takes minded children to a local pre-school group and attends a carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, welcoming childminding home. Their good health is promoted effectively. The childminder has attended relevant first aid training to ensure her knowledge of first aid procedures is up-to-date. Children benefit from the high standard of hygiene and cleanliness maintained throughout the childminder's home to protect children's health. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene. They use paper towels for hand drying to reduce the risk of cross-infection and know why it is important to wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before taking part in cooking activities. Children dietary needs are well met. They have freshly prepared fruit, salad or vegetables daily for snacks and as part of their meals. The childminder has a sound understanding of the nutritional needs of children and works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary requirements are met. Drinks of low sugar juices,

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Helping children to be healthy

water and milk are provided regularly, particularly in hot weather. Mealtimes are sociable and give children the opportunity to talk about their day and enjoy eating together. Children enjoy a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities each day, these allow them to be active and further develop their physical skills. They go for walks, walk to and from school and visit the local park regularly where they enjoy feeding the squirrels and ducks. Children have access to a good selection of outdoor play equipment in the childminder's garden and particularly enjoy organising go-kart races. Suitable arrangements are in place to allow children to rest comfortably when they need to, such as listening to a story or watching a children's video when they are tired.

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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 secure and safe environment. The childminder's very good awareness of safety issues minimises risks and helps protect them from harm. Her good supervision of children and daily safety checks enable children to move confidently and safely around her home. Space is well-organised. Children have ample room to play, a quiet area to rest and a comfortable place to enjoy meals. Appropriate safety measures are in place to protect children, these include cupboard locks, socket covers, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has devised and practised an appropriate emergency escape plan to ensure she can evacuate children quickly in an emergency.

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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 Children have easy access to a wide range of age appropriate, safe and suitable play equipment. The childminder checks these regularly to make sure that they remain safe and in good condition. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they talk about the consequences of touching the hot oven and are reminded to sit on chairs carefully. Children are kept safe when they are on trips and outings. Younger children are secured appropriately in a buggy. Older children learn about road safety as they walk to and from school. Suitable child protection procedures are in place to protect children and ensure concerns about their welfare are dealt with appropriately. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities, knows what do if she suspects abuse and ensures all adults living in her home are vetted appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy the broad range of play opportunities the childminder provides. Children are settled into the childminder care gradually to ensure they and their family get to know her well before the placement begins. This and the childminder's warm, caring manner helps children to feel secure. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted well. The childminder ensures children have frequent opportunities to make choices and develop personal independence. They confidently choose toys and activities and decide what they would like to eat and drink. The childminder plans and provides a wide range of interesting and enjoyable play experiences for children. They have the use of a bright, welcoming playroom, this has direct access to the garden. Children have daily opportunities to enjoy arts and crafts. They draw, make hand print and potato print pictures and collages. Although,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

planned activities such as card making are sometimes very adult directed and this limits opportunities for children to express their own thought and ideas creatively. Weekly cooking activities include making Noddy cakes and icing biscuits. The childminder reads to children every day to develop their interest in books and stories and organises regular outings to the library. The children enjoy imaginative play, caring for dolls and driving toy cars to the 'garage'. The childminder uses discussion about everyday experiences well to develop children's learning. For example, she helps children work out how many cake cases they need to fill the tray and talks about which colour cup they like the best. Children are engaged purposefully throughout their time with the childminder and have good opportunities to have fun, learn and develop new skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, are confident in the childminder's care and have appropriate opportunities to learn about the wider world. They have access to a satisfactory range of play resources designed to develop their understanding of diversity, these include multi-cultural musical instruments, dolls and

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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 books. The childminder organises interesting activities for children to promote their interest in other lifestyles and cultures. They make dragon fridge magnets for Chinese New Year, create cards and have egg hunts at Easter and draw flags from different countries during the football world cup. Children explore their community as they visit the local library, park and toddler/carer group. Children's behaviour is managed positively. The childminder has clear, appropriate house rules to ensure children know what is expected of them. The childminder uses positive techniques to encourage children to behave well. Praise is used effectively to reward wanted behaviour, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' and helping to tidy up after a cooking activity. An effective partnership between the childminder and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents ensures children's care is consistent. She makes parents welcome in her home, shares information and discusses the children's progress with parents each day. Financial and care arrangements are agreed and confirmed through the use of written contracts.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children confidently make themselves at home in the welcoming, well-organised childminding environment. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of child development and the interesting, fun play opportunities she provides. The childminder organises her time well and is keen to work in partnership with parents to provide continuity of care for children. The childminder's vetting procedures ensure that all adults living in her home are suitable to have access to children. She maintains a very good standard of hygiene and safety within her home. The childminder has a secure understanding of the National Standards for childminding and her responsibility to comply with these to provide good quality childcare. All the required documentation is efficiently maintained, up-to-date and stored securely. This supports 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 made to Ofsted since the childminder's registration. The childminder 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • further develop opportunities for children to express their own thoughts and ideas through planned art and craft activities • further increase opportunities for children to explore resources and activities that help them to develop a positive attitude towards diversity and the wider world.

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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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