Childminder in Redbridge

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319577 Inspection date 20 June 2006 Inspector Samantha Smith

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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. She lives with her husband and three children aged five, 14 and 12 years in Chigwell. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one full-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home. They are able to learn about good personal care and hygiene practices as they follow established routines with the childminder. They begin to appreciate the importance of washing hands after using the toilet and before eating. Effective procedures are in place for dealing with sick children, including the arrangements for giving medicines and recording accidents and the childminder knows she needs written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. The childminder has a knowledge of first aid and feels confident in her ability to respond to any emergency situation that may arise. Children are able to play or rest according to their needs which can change from day to day. This contributes to their good health. They have some opportunities for exercise and physical play, such as walking back from school and occasional trips to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient room to play safely and good use is made of the space available due to the childminder's organisation of furniture in the areas used. Children have access to toys and play equipment which are safe and suitable for their use, ensured by regular checking and cleaning. Resources are stored at low level and are easy for children to reach. The childminder protects children in her home and has taken sensible precautions to minimise potential risks to children. She is conscious of safety issues both in the home and when taking children out. The childminder supervises children carefully as they move around the home, giving gentle reminders to help them keep themselves safe. The childminder has some knowledge of child protection issues as she has completed some training on this when she attended the Introduction to Childminding course. However this has not strengthened her ability if she has to deal with any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

concerns, as a result children are not fully protected from abuse and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's home. They spend time playing with the few toys and resources available. However these do not offer sufficient challenge to all children.

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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 Children benefit from the good interaction they receive from the childminder. They spend time together playing on the floor as the childminder offer them praise and encouragement and talks to them in their home language. Although children under three years attend the provision, the childminder does not use the 'Birth to three' framework to support her provision for young children. Children under three years are not consistently supported in their play, because the childminder does not have a clear understanding of the 'Birth to three' matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home which helps them to feel happy and secure. Children respond well to praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Although the childminder has not cared for a child with special educational needs, she demonstrates a willingness to cater for children's individual needs. Children have limited opportunities to learn about the local community or wider world as the childminder has few resources to reflect positive images of different people and she does plan any activities to promote children's understanding. She provides a positive role model for the children and she is consistent in her approach to behaviour management, this helps the children learn right and wrong. Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder has fostered with parents. Parents receive regular feedback and information on their child's

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a reasonable level of experience in childcare and a sound knowledge of the children she is caring for. This helps her provide a satisfactory range of experiences to stimulate the children. She is interested in attending relevant training to further enhance her service, however she has not managed to do this as yet. Children have sufficient space for active play, quiet activities, rest and sleep. They are able to make choices from a sufficient range of activities set out for them. The childminder keeps appropriate records for the safe management of the provision. This contributes to meeting the needs of children. Overall children's needs are met.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

On the 11 April 2006 Ofsted received concerns which related to National Standards 1 (suitable person), 2 (organisation), 3 (care, learning and play), 6 (safety) and 11 (behaviour management). Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit on the 21 April 2006 to investigate these concerns. The visit provided no evidence that the childminder was not meeting all of the National Standards; she was caring for the correct number of children that she is registered for. Toys were readily available for the children, more were stored away, but easily accessible; the childminder rotated these resources to keep children stimulated. Behaviour management techniques were discussed and showed that the childminder has a good understanding and uses technique appropriate to children’s stages of development. Ofsted is not taking any further action and the provider remains qualified for registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made to by parents, which

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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): • update knowledge of what child protection and neglect means, and know possible signs of abuse or neglect • provide children with a wide variety of play and learning activities, appropriate their individual needs, including improving the outcomes for children from birth

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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 to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three' matters framework. • provide play materials which reflect diversity such as books and puzzles which show positive images of boys and girls and men and women from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs.

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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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