Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY312190 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2006 Inspection date Samantha Smith 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged four years and three weeks old, in Chigwell. The whole of the home is used for minding and children have access to a communal garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, when working with an assistant they may care for a maximum of eight children at any one time and when working with a co-minder they may care for 10 children at anyone time. There are currently six children attending including one child under five on a full-time basis and five children attending on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 in a clean home, where suitable routines are in place to protect children's health and prevent the spread of infection. Children receive gentle reminders to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The hygiene practices the childminder and assistants use further protects children from the spread of infection. These include washing hands before preparing food and after assisting children's toileting needs. When changing nappies gloves are worn and the changing mat is cleaned after each use.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children with infectious illnesses are excluded from the provision and, if a child becomes unwell whilst attending the setting, the parents are contacted and suitable care is provided until they are collected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met. The childminder works well with parents to meet each child's needs. She provides a selection of foods that encourage the children to explore the taste and textures of dishes including rice and pasta, curries and chapatis. Children know they can ask for a drink when they are thirsty and drinks are provided at meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy some physical opportunities as they take part in outdoor activities through visits to the park and when they use the resources provided in the communal gardens. These include trikes, balls, climbing frames and sand and water play. They also attend a toddler group once a week where they use a range resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure environment where hazards have been identified and steps have been taken to minimise potential risks. For example plug sockets are in place around the home, a stair gate is in place preventing children gaining unsupervised access to the kitchen. Fire precautions are in place through smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children are learning to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency as they take part in regular fire practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe on visits out of the home because the childminder has sufficient safety measures in place, including written permission to take children on outings and in a vehicle. Young children are safely strapped in a buggy and wrist restraints are also used. Older children know they must stay close by and keep to the inside of the kerb.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and has attended recent training on this, ensuring children's welfare is supported.

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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 satisfactory. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. On the whole, they enjoy their time as they take part in a sufficient range of activities. They have established good relationships with each other and the childminder and they generally play well together. They are learning to share as they negotiate their ideas to each other while attempting to build a 'big' tower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is promoted as they access toys and equipment which provides reasonable challenge for them to make general progress. However, the childminder has yet to introduce the 'Birth to three matters' framework to improve outcomes for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take pride in their achievements and they thrive on the praise they receive from the childminder when they return from school and eagerly show off their paintings and pictures. They sit attentively to listen to stories read by the childminder and they actively take part as they respond to her questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a sense of belonging as they are included and have access to the resources available, which are mostly suitable to their stages of development. They are able to communicate their own needs and beliefs in a supportive environment and the childminder liaises with parents to accommodate these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of equal opportunities, however resources and activities provided are not sufficient to support children's awareness of other people including those with differing needs. They celebrate festivals of their religion at appropriate times of the year but are unable to explore people's differences regularly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships between the children and childminder are good. Children manage their behaviour appropriately and understand how their actions can affect others. The childminder and assistant work reasonably well together to ensure consistency is maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares written policies with parents and the daily exchange of information regarding children's progress ensures their changing needs are met. The childminder has obtained most written consents from the parents, although she does not have written permission to leave the children in the sole care of the assistants.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by suitable adult and the childminder and assistants have all completed appropriates checks. The childminder's home is sufficiently organised to support children's care, learning and play. Regular routines help children feel confident and secure and resources are organised to provide a suitable balance of activities for the children attending.

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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 There are sound written policies in place that promote children's safety and well-being. Most of required documentation is in place to ensure children's needs are met. However, children records were not available at the beginning of the inspection and some records of assistants are incomplete.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to use improve the outcomes for children from birth to three years by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder has now booked on a course and has sent off for the pack, although she is yet to begin using this in her provision.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a concern in relation to National Standard 11 (Behaviour).

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Complaints since the last inspection

An Ofsted childcare inspector conducted an unannounced visit on 24 May 2006 to investigate this concern in relation to National Standard 3 (Care, learning and play), 11 (Behaviour) and 12 (Working in partnership with parents and carers). At the visit there was no evidence that these National Standards were not being met. However, at the visit there was evidence that National Standard 6 (Safety) was not being met and one action was raised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted was satisfied with the provider's response and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may see on request. The complaints log may contain complaints other than those known 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): • provide a range of toys and play resources which promote equality of opportunity and celebrate diversity • ensure all records are available for inspection and kept up-to-date

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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 • obtain written consents from the parents that at agreed times children may be left in the sole care of the assistants.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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