Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY305765 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2006 Inspection date Caroline Preston 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and nine years in Dagenham, Essex. 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 child under five years four days a week. The family have one dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home and are protected from infection because the childminder is proactive in ensuring her home is cleaned daily. The childminder has relevant first aid training and is able to implement procedures such as the recording of accidents and administration of medication appropriately to maintain satisfactory health and consistency of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

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’s dietary needs are appropriately met. Meals are supplied by the parents, and by the childminder to ensure children’s individual needs are met. Menus such as, spaghetti Bolognese and vegetables are offered by the childminder. Children’s physical development is appropriately supported; they have daily opportunities for exercise through a range of indoor resources for example, push and pull toys and trips to the local shops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move confidently around the bright, warm environment. Space is appropriately organised in the front room to allow children opportunities to engage in a satisfactory range of activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate for their age and stage of development which they can self-select from low level drawers. However, the travel cot is not available for sleep, therefore children are not able to sleep for long periods of time comfortably. The childminder’s vigilance and awareness of safety issues minimises risks and ensures children’s safety. For example, supervising children at all times and ensuring fire precautions are met. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and is clear regarding her role and responsibilities and of the procedure to follow if she had concerns. This supports children’s wellbeing and safeguards their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in gradually into the childminder’s care to ensure that they and their family get to know her well before the placement begins. The childminder has a positive relationship with the children, she spends time playing and talking to them. Children have access to a broad range of good quality play equipment that meets their developmental needs. They are confident and happy in their environment. Children enjoy playing with the role play resources; they fill up the washing machine, turning it off and on, they sit and play with the small cars and dolls, whilst being encouraged by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Daily feedback about their child’s day keeps parents well informed and helps to provide children with continuity of care. The childminder works in partnership with parents to have agreed methods to manage children’s behaviour; the children benefit from the consistent approach .Play materials and resources do not reflect positive images of all aspects of society. Therefore children have less opportunity to learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder 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. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with additional needs.

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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 satisfactory organisation of the premises which provides them with sufficient space to move around freely in the front room and access toys from the low level drawers. Children benefit from the childminder’s appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are very well supervised at all times. Information kept about the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. 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 children’s well-being.

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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 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • develop a greater understanding of the regulatory responsibilities required of a childminder • ensure children are offered a range of activities and play resources that reflect disability and promote equality of opportunity.

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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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