Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY306052 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2007 Inspection date Gulnaz Hassan 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 eight year old daughter. They live in a two bedroom second floor flat in Hoxton in the London Borough of Hackney. All areas of the home are available for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years. There are currently two children under 5 years and one child over eight years on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's food and drink requirements are met well. Meals provided are balanced and nutritious and freshly prepared. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks, such as toast, fruit, vegetable sticks and occasionally crisps as a treat. For lunch, children have various dishes, such as pasta

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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 with tuna and sweet corn and rice and potatoes based meals. Menus meet children's individual needs and the childminder plans meals to gently encourage children to try different food groups in order to develop their tastes. Children are encouraged to eat 'five a day' of fruit and vegetables, such as blueberries, strawberries, carrot sticks and salads. Children are encouraged to drink water, juice and milk and babies are frequently offered drinks of water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is generally well protected and most steps to prevent the risk of infection are taken. There are good procedures in place to record accidents and for the administration of medication. Whilst there are good procedures agreed with parents in the event of accidents or serious illness, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical care. As a result children are at possible risk of not being treated promptly. There are good hygiene procedures in place, for instance for changing nappies, food preparation and ensuring that the premises are clean. However the childminder has not considered that children can be at risk of cross infection by sharing the same hand towel.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are generally well protected from accidents within the home. For instance, a range of safety equipment is fitted and children receive good explanations about why they cannot enter the kitchen or access the balcony. The childminder has developed good emergency evacuation procedures that have been discussed with children and that feature singing a specific song whilst vacating the premises so that children remain calm and do not feel unduly worried or fearful. However the childminder has not taken the further step to practise the plan with the children cared for in order to ensure that the procedure is fully effective.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in warm and comfortable surroundings where children have the space they need to play and rest appropriately. There is a good range of equipment, such as cots and high chair and toys and resources that meet the learning and developmental needs of the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from harm because the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures that comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a special relationship with the childminder and they are secure and settled in her care. Children are confident and very happy, for instance the baby smiles at the childminder all the time and she responds by engaging and interacting with the children giving them her full attention at all times. As a result, children are developing good levels of confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive good opportunities to play and learn through a variety of activities that meet their individual needs and preferences very well. The childminder provides a range of play experiences based on what each child likes and enjoys. Babies enjoy clapping and singing,

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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 pushing cars along the floor and investigating mobiles, activity centres and turning the pages of cloth books. The older children, who attend school and pre-school, enjoy a range of favourite activities, that include reading stories, painting, dressing up, pretend play with dolls and shopping baskets, music and singing. The childminder promotes learning into everyday activities, for example children help with the shopping by identifying items to buy from the shopping list drawn up for them by the childminder's daughter. Children are well supported with their homework at the request of parents, for instance the childminder helps with learning letters and reading together the story book from school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's social and personal development is promoted well. For instance, the childminder supports the children in her care, whilst they visit local drop in groups, to ensure that they feel reassured by her close presence, when they are at the stage of development of being shy of their peers. Children are helped to develop their independence and self help skills by the childminder, who sets achievable goals for children, for instance to get dressed and put on coats by themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children visit the local park for fresh air and to experience outdoor play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very well met because the childminder has taken positive action to find out about each child's specific background and cultural needs as well as their daily routine, such as specific comfort requirements. As a result, children are secure and settled in the environment. Children's self worth and self esteem are promoted well as the childminder praises and encourages children all the time, helping to develop their confidence. Children have access to a satisfactory range of resources and play materials available that promote positive images of diversity and the wider community, such as books, dolls, wall carvings and wooden ornaments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good, they enjoy each others' company and care for each other. The childminder is a good role model encouraging children to be kind to each other and to share. Management of inappropriate behaviour is discussed with parents and includes actions such as determining the underlying cause of behaviour, distracting children and implementing a praise and reward system. There is a good management of behaviour policy that is detailed and constructive and shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit extremely well from the good partnerships that exist between their parents and carers and the childminder. There are good levels of verbal communications on a daily basis so that parents are well informed about their children and are able to exchange information. There are clear agreements in place, for instance about sick leave and absences and these help to avoid misunderstandings. There are good systems in place to support parents if they wish to make a complaint about the provision. A notice board displaying information about the service is available.

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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 are well cared for in a well organised environment that meets their needs well. The childminder has established good routines that meet the individual needs of the children cared for. The childminder has a generally good understanding of the National Standards for childminding. The childminder has good contacts with other childminders who she can call upon in the event of an emergency and she has shared information about this with the parents as required.

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Organisation

With one exception, all the records and documents required to promote the welfare, care and safety of children are available and well stored to ensure confidentiality. A selection of procedures to support the management of the provision are available. 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 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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • prevent the risk of cross infection by ensuring that children do not share hand towels • ensure that emergency evacuations are practised with children on a regular basis

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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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