Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275629 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2007 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children, two daughters aged 14 and six years old and one son aged four years old, in Romford in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and a first floor bathroom. 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 two children under five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy and protected from cross infection because the childminder's home is warm and clean and effective hygiene procedures are used. For example, cleaning surfaces with anti-bacterial spray and providing individual paper towels for the children after washing their

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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 hands. Children have a good understanding of simple health and hygiene practices because the childminder offers encouragement and the correct tools. For example, children know why they use tissues, and access them from a box and place them in the bin.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of a healthy and balanced diet, as a result children are knowledgeable about healthy eating and are sufficiently nourished. They are encouraged to take part in the preparation of foods and enjoy this. For example, children prepare strawberries, banana and grapes for fruit kebabs. Children can confidently help themselves to drinks from a set of beakers and a jug, consequently they learn about their bodies' needs and develop their independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity because the childminder offers a wide range of opportunities indoors and outdoors. For example, outdoors there are a trampoline, swings and slide, obstacle courses and large mobile toys which the children can independently access. Indoors the children enjoy dance, games and creative activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children successfully learn about healthy living through the childminder enthusiastically sharing information. For example, the childminder and children discuss where Tuna comes from and what their favourite vegetables are.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a travel cot and areas to nap, to ensure that the children effectively rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive good care in the event of an accident or needing medication because the childminder has current first aid certificate and a system to record any accidents that may occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children generally enjoy their play in a safe secure environment. Regular risk assessments, indoors and outdoors, work towards ensuring children's safety. However some potentially dangerous items are accessible to children, for example vacuum cleaner, scissors and dust pan brush and therefore the children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe as they practise fire evacuation drill with the childminder. For example, the childminder uses a Fireman Sam song to assemble the children and children know to make their way to the back of the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises children closely when playing outdoors and ensures all areas are safe before children play, for example, the swing is secured in a concrete base, the childminder checks the lawn prior to the children coming out to play. Children can play confidently and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's policy and has an adequate understanding of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has sufficient knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse. This supports children's welfare.

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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 develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder offers informative chatter and interest in what the children are saying. For example, the childminder listens carefully as children discuss their new cat and offers them praise and encouragement when appropriate. Children are enthusiastic in what they are doing and show real interest. For example, a four year old child selects an animal and they discuss where it has come from. The children look at the world map on the wall and point at where they think the animal lives. Children are happy in their play and laugh and smile throughout the morning, this is because the childminder offers spontaneous ideas that interest the children and extend their thinking. For example the childminder encourages the children to begin to sort the play equipment, and think about the different size, shape, colour and purpose of each toy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently choose from a sound range of activities, that they can mostly access. Children are developing good relationships with each other and the childminder. They understand the need to share and take turns. For example one child sits on the soft chair, another child wants to sit down, the first child moves along and they sit together happily.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others, because the childminder encourages them to consider each other's feelings. For example, children share a box of jungle animals, they make two piles and take one each and one child offers an animal to the childminder. Children talk happily about their home life and things that are important to them, such as journeys to relatives and family pets. They feel valued and able to contribute to chatter and play because the childminder shows interest and gives encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about themselves and the world around them through activities, for example, Chinese New Year. The childminder provides Chinese fortune cookies and noodles and discovers what animal each child is born under. Some resources reflect positive images of other cultures, disabilities and gender. This means children learn to acknowledge and accept differences, for example, children can access dolls, dressing up clothes and play foods.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children's behaviour through acknowledging good behaviour and simple explanation that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the children, subsequently the children behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Discussion on a daily basis ensures parents are kept informed of their children's routines and their activities, such as food intake and general daily events. The childminders offers regular informal discussion with parents which ensures continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a procedure and record of complaints, however information for parents has not been updated, consequently children's welfare is not fully protected.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the family environment. They know the childminder well and are relaxed and happy. Children are provided with sufficient space to play and the toys

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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 and resources are adequately set out and mainly accessible to them so that they can develop their independence. However, risk assessments of the premises are not consistently applied as some dangerous items are accessible to the children, compromising their safety.

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Organisation

The current registration certificate is available on the premises, however the daily record of attendance clearly indicates that the childminder at times has been in breach of her conditions of registration. This is in relation to the number of children she may care for at any one time. All of the required documentation is in place, however the system for recording and the procedure for complaints do not include current changes in legislation, which potentially compromises children's welfare.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's ongoing interest in further training and her wish to develop the quality of the provision for the children in her care. For example, the childminder has recently completed NVQ level 3 in Childcare and various short courses.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to improve the cleanliness of the setting. This has been achieved enabling the children to be cared for in a warm and clean environment. In addition the childminder was asked to complete training in First aid and an approved Childminding Course, both of these have been completed and certificates are available. This enables children's welfare to be safeguarded. The childminder has also increased children's access to a range of resources that promote anti-discriminatory practise and equal opportunities, this increases children's understanding about the world around them. In addition the childminder has improved children's safety by completing risk assessments; however a few household items are accessible to the minded children, compromising their safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • ensure risk assessments of the premises are implemented and action taken to minimise risk

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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 • develop complaints procedure and recording systems to include all necessary information • ensure conditions of registration are met, in relation to the number of children that can be cared for at any one time

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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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