Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231113 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool 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 2002. She lives with her husband and a daughter aged five years. They live in the Barking area within the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler groups and visit the libraries and parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished as they are provided with food that is nutritious and varied. Parents supply babies' meals, which are stored appropriately to prevent food from spoiling. The childminder consults with parents about the best way to introduce solids and with 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 permission is gradually introducing babies to pureed fresh vegetables and fresh fruits. Children are offered a good variety of fruits daily. This enables children to develop healthy eating habits. The childminder plans feeding times, which takes into account the feeding needs of young children and the wishes of their parents. Children are encouraged to help make sandwiches for their snacks and discussions enable them to learn the benefits of a healthy diet. Drinking water is regularly offered to prevent children from getting thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is highly promoted because effective routines and the childminder's good practice prevents cross infection. For example, the childminder wears gloves for nappy changes, encourages children to wash their hands routinely and provides hand paper towels for easy disposal. In addition there are good systems in place for sick and injured children. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, which means that children can receive appropriate care if there is an accident. The childminder monitors food and drinks intake and nappy changes and share information with parents. This ensures that children remain healthy. Babies and young children rest and sleep according to their needs. Babies are gaining confidence and acquiring new skills as they use low level pieces of furniture to pull themselves up to a standing position. All children are given good support to develop their physical skills through a range

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Helping children to be healthy

of play equipment that includes tricycles, push and pull along toys and balls.

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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 environment that is laid out to meet their needs. They eat, sleep and play in a child centred room that is warm, welcoming and promotes their independence. Children have easy access to the toilet facilities and restricted access to stairs and the kitchen. Children's paintings are attractively displayed and celebrate their effort and achievements. There are suitable safety measures in place such as radiator guards, electrical sockets above children's height, safety locks on cupboards and maintained fire safety equipment. As a result of this, children play and work in safe surroundings when indoors. However, the outdoor fencing on both sides of the garden is not fully secured to prevent children from leaving the premises unattended.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have safe and easy access to a wide range of good quality toys that are developmentally appropriate. This is because toys are stored in low level open shelf storage units and in transparent boxes so that children can see where things belong. Additionally, books are stored on a book rack, which encourages children to make choices for themselves. Babies and young children are provided with a good range of furniture that are appropriate for their age and stage of development and conform to safety standards. Children are protected because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. This supports children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled. They are secure within the environment because the childminder offers a daily routine that takes into consideration each child's individual needs. For example babies sleep, eat and drink according to their own needs. The childminder knows each child very well because she consistently monitors and record children's new experiences. As a result of this children are progressing well in their all round development. Babies and

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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 children have good opportunities to handle natural materials such as sand, play dough and when participating in water play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to plan and provide a good range of activities that are purposeful and support children's understanding and learning. For example, children are becoming familiar with simple shapes through stories; learning to name and recognise shapes and when they sing nursery rhymes such as 'twinkle twinkle little star'. Children are able to explore and experiment when painting and drawing pictures. Children benefit from going out on regular trips within their community. They attend toddler groups; parks; school assemblies and sports days. These activities add variety to their play; enable them to mix with a wider group of children and become familiar with their community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their different needs and abilities are taken into consideration when providing for their care and play. Babies and young children's care routines throughout the day is recorded and shared with parents. This contributes to their physical well-being. The childminder has strong partnership with parents and ensures that they are kept well informed about their children's development and activities, the service provided and the procedures through the use of a detailed prospectus. Apart from the contact details of the regulator, all other information is accurate. Children are making good progress in their development and learning because the childminder actively monitors children's abilities and plan stimulating activities that meets with each child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of diversity through a good range of resources such as multi-racial dolls; soft bodied dolls with a wheel chair; spectacles, crutches and a guide dog. In addition to this children see positive images in books and posters that are on display. Children are provided with opportunities to cook cultural foods and they are encouraged to assist with making onion bhajis, Moroccan biscuits and Jamaican patties. This helps children to develop positive attitudes to others. Babies and young children are discovering and learning about themselves as they can see their reflections in low level safety mirrors. Consequently children are learning to value each others' similarities and differences. Appropriate strategies, according to children's age and stage of development, help them to understand right from wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good quality care because the childminder is competent in her knowledge of child care. She knows how children develop and learn and has sufficient knowledge of current child care practices to support the care and learning of children. Subsequently children are progressing well in their development as the childminder obtains relevant details from parents about the children in order to provide consistent care; monitor and assess each child's development and plan activities to promote their learning. Children are offered a stimulating and interesting range of activities on a daily basis alongside a flexible routine that caters for their individual needs. Children's health is maintained and they are generally kept safe. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and is aware of her responsibilities for meeting these. Written policies and procedures guides the childminder

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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 in her daily practice. However, she is not yet familiar with the full procedures for dealing with complaints. The childminder has good organisational skills; all mandatory records are in place, confidentially maintained and efficient record keeping promotes children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure children have access to furniture and equipment that enables them to relax comfortably; include details of activities within the written parental agreement and obtain appropriate information regarding notifiable diseases.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A varied range of soft furniture enables children to relax in comfort; creating a relaxing environment during quiet activities. Parents receive clear information about the play opportunities on offer to their children. This sharing of information enhances children's development. The childminder now keeps a list of notifiable diseases in order to prevent the spread of infection when caring for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • make garden secure or inaccessible to children • develop own knowledge and understanding of the procedures for dealing with complaints; provide parents with the correct address for Ofsted, particularly with regards to complaints.

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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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