Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY320098 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2006 Inspection date S Campbell 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 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 daughter aged one year in Barking, Essex. The whole ground floor and daughter's bedroom, of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding one child under five afternoons only and one child under eight before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 good. Children play in a clean environment. There are good routines and accompanying explanations in place that help children understand that washing their hand after visiting the toilet and before eating reduces the risk of passing on germs. Children’s good health is further supported because the childminder encourages children to wash tables before mealtimes. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care in the event of an accident. There are appropriate procedures in place to record medication and accidents and parents are encouraged to acknowledge entries to ensure continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy nutritious, balanced meals that help them understand foods that are good for them. Mealtimes are used as a social occasion where children talk about and describe their snack as being delicious. The childminder has maintained appropriate documentation about children’s dietary needs, allowing her to cater for their individual needs and preferences. Children receive plenty of drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a good range of outdoor pursuits and physical activities, which contributes to their good health, for example going to the park and swimming.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming environment. They benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. The childminder greets arriving children and their parents warmly, which builds upon children’s confidence and sense of belonging. Children have easy and safe access to a good range of resources. Resources and toys on offer are in a good state of repair and condition and are rotated regularly to maintain children’s interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place. This allows children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children’s safety is further supported because at an early age they learn the importance of keeping themselves safe, for example they practise basic road safety awareness and the childminder spends time reading stories such as ‘I Want To Cross The Road’ to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow should she have a concern. This supports children’s well-being while at the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and learn from a range of activities that allow them to explore and learn. There is a good balance of adult directed and child initiated games that help them make progress in all areas of learning. Children are able to explore their senses through a good range of messy

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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 play activities, such as corn flour, foot and hand painting. They enjoy engaging in basic role play activities and take pleasure in initiating games with the childminder, for example playing doctors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have developed good relationships with the childminder and her family. Older children enjoy playing simple games with the childminder’s daughter, and assisting in her play. Older children enjoy painting and writing. They are beginning to write their name on their pictures and take pleasure in showing adults their paintings of their rainbow flower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children frequently participate in music activities. They dance to their favourite song ‘Down in the Ocean’ and enjoy playing on the childminder’s guitar. Children’s spoken language is developing well because the childminder spends time listening and talking to the children. They are confident in initiating discussions with adults, for example, asking “Are you staying for lunch?”

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through well organised and planned activities children get pleasure from taking part in topics, such as ‘collecting bugs’ and ‘recycling’. Children’s learning is further extended by looking at bugs through a magnifying glass, taking bottles to the recycling bank and clothes to the charity shop. This ensures children’s play is purposeful and fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children as individuals. She has a positive attitude towards diversity that helps children become aware of their own and other cultures through a range of planned activities, for example Yom Kippur. Children benefit from attending places of interest, such as the African market, and take pleasure in talking about obtaining an African bracelet from the market with adults. However, there is a limited range of resources on offer that promote positive imagery of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from lots of praise and encouragement. The childminder uses appropriate strategies according to the age and stage of children’s development that help them understand right from wrong. The childminder has good relationships with parents. The childminder regularly shares information with parents about children’s progress and play. This ensures continuity of care. Relevant documentation is shared with parents, such as the accident book and at the point of registration parents are given a well informed copy of the childminder’s polices and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease and well settled in their environment. Through well planned routines children are able to engage in both quiet and active play, such as swimming and participating in reading time with the childminder. The childminder has developed good record keeping ensuring children’s health and well-being is promoted.

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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 All relevant documentation is in place and well maintained. Written polices and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children’s needs are met. 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. The provider 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

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): • provide a suitable range of resources that promote positive imagery of disability

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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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