Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333117 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Theresa May 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 2006. She minds from her parents' house, which is situated in a residential street in the Walthamstow area within the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Members of the household are her mother, step father and four year old twin brother and sister.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom/toilet are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding her brother, sister and one child under eight on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home where they receive support and gentle reminders to develop good personal hygiene. The childminder supervises the children in the bathroom and ensures they wash their hands after using the toilet and before they eat meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a fully equipped first aid box to be able to care for children if they have an accident however, she has not obtained a first aid certificate. She records accidents appropriately and but has not obtained consent to seek emergency advice or treatment to enable her to act quickly in the case of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy nutritiously balanced meals which are supplied by their parents and are supplemented with healthy snacks such as a biscuit, fruit or raisins.

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Helping children to be healthy

Food is provided by parents and is appropriately stored and served. The children's beakers are always available with a drink of water so they can be accessed at any time. The childminder follows the children's home routine, respecting the wishes of parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in regular physical activities, which contribute to their good health, for example walking to school, visiting the park and playing on the slide and trampoline in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a spacious and well-organised environment. They mainly use the downstairs of the childminder’s setting for rest and play and bathroom facilities are upstairs. Space has been organised for the children to move safely with comfort and ease. In the through lounge they are able to choose toys from the selection the childminder sets out for them in boxes or on a book shelf. Children play at the kitchen table for cooking and messy activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to toys and resources which are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for children. They are displayed for children to pick and choose which aids their independence. The toys provided are appropriate for the age and development of the children and so, maintain their interest. They are of suitable design and condition, they are maintained and conform to safety standards. The childminder checks the toys over for the safety of the children, ensuring there are no sharp objects and broken toys are discarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as the childminder has put measures in place to minimise the majority of risks in the setting, such as installing a smoke alarms and locks on low level cupboards in the kitchen, and devising a written evacuation plan. However, her fire blanket is not appropriately sited, children are exposed to low level glass and permission has not been obtained from parents to transport their children in vehicles.

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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 a satisfactory knowledge of child protection which promotes and safeguards children's welfare within the setting. She would talk to parents and relevant authorities, as appropriate, should any concerns arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear settled and have a warm relationship with the childminder. She sits and plays with them and is able to read their signals when they need the toilet or need a drink which supports their emotional well being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have easy access to a range of different toys and resources that promote their learning and development. Children can access the toys and play dressing up which hold their interest. They enjoy snuggling in close with the childminder while they sit on the settee and watch a film. Children benefit from the outings provided by the childminder to the play group and visiting friends which gives time for children to mix and socialise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a daily diary which provides information for parents about the children's general well-being, rest times, activities and what their child has eaten during the day. This ensures continuity of care the children receive, between the childminder's setting and at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats children as individuals and works with parents to ensure their needs are met. For children who attend with English as an additional language, the childminder ensures they settle well by learning some words in their home language. Children have access to some resources which reflect positive images of race and gender to help them develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. This is as a result of the childminder using positive methods for managing behaviour when they have minor squabbles. Methods such as distraction, explaining the consequence of their actions and reminding them of the rules, take into account their age and development. Good behaviour is positively reinforced by means of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a friendly and supportive relationship with parents. Parents are given a comprehensive copy of the childminder’s polices and procedures before the children settle. The childminder regularly shares information with parents about the children’s general welfare, verbally and through a daily diary, which ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has knowledge of first aid and what to do in the event of an accident but has yet to obtain a first aid certificate.

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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 The space and resources are organised adequately. Children play in the whole of the downstairs of the house, they can move freely with comfort and ease. They can rest or sleep downstairs and can pick and choose from the available toys in the through lounge which promotes their independence. The childminder has a regular routine of visiting groups and friends where children have opportunities to mix and socialise.

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Organisation

Record keeping is satisfactory. Registers are kept up to date and record the arrival and departure times of children. Information is obtained from parents and retained to promote the care and welfare of the children. However, there are some consent forms which have not been obtained from parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 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 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): • obtain a first aid certificate • obtain consent to seek emergency advice and treatment • ensure the safety measures which have been identified are put in to place • obtain consent for children to be transported in a vehicle

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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 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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