Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY308030 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2006 Inspection date Christine Eglinton Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 partner and one child aged two years. The family live in a house in Hornchurch Essex which is close to all local amenities. The childminder uses all of the downstairs and one of the upstairs bedrooms for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding one child under five years on a part-time basis and walks to the local school 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 warm and clean environment where they benefit from appropriate levels of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the home, which effectively contributes to limiting the risk of cross infection. This is further supported by the childminder ensuring hand towels are changed frequently. Appropriate daily routines, such as children being reminded to clean their hands before eating, and wash their hands after using the toilet, ensure children understand the need for good personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents give prior consent for the childminder to administer medication, which ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Children who are infectious do not attend, thus preventing the spread of infectious ailments. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she is able to give children appropriate care if there is an accident. However, the childminder has not sought parent’s permission to seek emergency medical treatment. This poses a risk of children not receiving swift treatment in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are suitable storage procedures for the food provided by the parents to prevent spoiling. The childminder supplements children’s diet further by offering them home made drinks, made with milk and fresh fruit. This ensures children remain healthy. However, she does not use daily routines or plan suitable activities, to help children understand foods that are good for them. Outings to the local park, and local community, where there is large play equipment gives children plenty of opportunity to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has created a child friendly environment with appropriate posters which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. Space within the childminder’s home is suitably organised, and meets children’s needs appropriately. Children have sufficient room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable safe place to enjoy their meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy playing with a wide range of good quality toys and equipment which are suitable for children’s stage of development. Toys are kept clean and in good condition, and are stored at low level so that children can access them safely and easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put some safety measures in place, within the home for instance, low level glass is protected with safety film and low level kitchen cupboards containing hazardous items, are fitted with safety catches. However, risk assessments are not always fully effective in maintaining safety standards. For example, low level mirrors in areas where children have access to, are not made secure. This increases the risk of injury to children and prevents them from exploring freely. Suitable routines and gentle reminders, help children to learn about keeping themselves safe. For instance, the childminder reminds children about the dangers of banging toys on the glass doors.

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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 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 satisfactory. The childminder ensures she asks relevant information about the children, to ensure their needs are known, for instance their daily routine, and likes and dislikes. This helps children to feel secure within their environment, and contributes towards their general well-being. Children are able to bring their favourite toys from home to help them feel secure. They are very confident and are clearly at ease in their surroundings. They seek support from the childminder which indicates that they have made trusting relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to represent their ideas and feelings when they draw with the crayons and use glue and paints. They enjoy playing the toy bugs and insects, and are learning about the local environment when they visit the local park and shops. However, although toys and resources are stored at low level, children are not encouraged to make choices in their play. Activities are generally adult-led, which does not encourage children to make decisions and take the initiative in their play and learning. Consequently, planned activities are not sustaining children’s interests, and sometimes results in lost learning opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder acknowledges children’s efforts by praising them, which helps children feel good about themselves. They are able to play with toys and resources, which reflect positive images of people in society which include disability. This helps children to learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are encouraged to join in all activities, to ensure they have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. The childminder makes expectations of behaviour clear, and gives clear requests which ensure children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable. This enables children to behave well, and helps them understand right from wrong. However, children are not always helped to learn important social skills, such as sharing when they play together. For instance, by encouraging them to share their own toys they have brought from home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from sound working relationships between the childminder and the parents. Daily feedback about the child’s day, and a daily diary which records daily activities and general disposition of the child, helps to establish continuity of care. The childminder now needs to improve her knowledge of the complaints procedure to ensure that parents have a clear procedure to follow. This will help parents to understand how to resolve any complaints should they arise.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder’s suitable organisation of the premises which provides them with ample space to play, and have sufficient access to appropriate resources. Children feel at home and at ease, and daily routines provide children with opportunities to relax as well as be busy and actively occupied.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice to ensure children’s needs are met. Information kept about the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. Mandatory records are generally in place, and are kept in a confidential manner. However, the childminder is not displaying the certificate of registration, which is a condition of registration. This does not ensure parents are fully informed to enable all to work together, to support the children’s well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they must 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): • seek appropriate consent from parents for children to receive emergency medical treatment • make sure that a risk assessment is used consistently so that hazards to children are minimised and proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents

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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 • ensure children are interested in available activities by increasing opportunities for children to spend time concentrating on self-chosen activities • develop a greater understanding of the regulatory responsibilities required of a childminder

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The quality and standards of the care

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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