Childminder in Barking and DagenhamOfsted inspection, 20 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY286463 Inspection date 20 June 2005 Inspector Christine Eglinton

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged five years in Dagenham. The whole ground floor 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 two children under five and one child over five before and after school. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat and keeps fish.

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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 The childminder is working towards being a member of Barking and Dagenham childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy taking part in energetic physical activities which contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy using outdoor garden equipment, have regular walks, and visit local soft play centres, where they can develop confidence in using large play apparatus, to promote their physical development. Children are developing an awareness of their bodies and recognise when they need to rest, however the sleep equipment used for babies is not appropriate for encouraging restful periods. The childminder uses an exclusion procedure so that children are protected from contagious illnesses. She uses good hygiene practices during nappy changing routines to promote children's health. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene, by the childminder encouraging them to wash their hands after using the toilet. Resources for individual hand drying, is not always

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Helping children to be healthy

available, which may increase the risk of cross infection. Children are starting to understand the benefits of a healthy diet, due to the childminder regularly discussing healthy food options. They are provided with a healthy selection of snacks and meals that appeal to individual children, and are served regular drinks throughout the day. However, older children are not able to freely access their drinks. Children's emotional well-being is being fostered through a close, warm and supportive relationship with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, clean, and well organised child friendly environment. This enables children to freely explore their environment. Good quality, age appropriate toys are generally stored at low levels, enabling children to self-select their own toys and play materials. Suitable and well maintained furniture and equipment, is used to meet children's individual needs, for example high chairs and buggy. The childminder helps children to develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe, by using every day situations. They understand why they have to blow any hot food before attempting to eat it, and are reminded of why they are not allowed to touch the oven, to avoid accidental injury. Children are generally able to play and explore safely, because the childminder has reduced some of the hazards by using appropriate safety equipment. Although safety equipment is in place, risk

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

assessments are not always effectively in maintaining safety standards, for example

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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 putting tools and decorating materials away from children. This could increase the risk of injury to children. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder having sound knowledge of child protection issues, and her role and responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a wide range of stimulating, age appropriate activities, which engages children's interests, and contributes towards their overall development. There is a good balance of child led activities, which enables children to take the initiative in their play. The childminder ensures she plans activities, which reflect children's individual interests, for example she is now going to use balloons for the baby, which captivated the baby's interest at a recent childminding fun day. The childminder organises lots of interesting outside visits, including regular trips to the local farm, and trips to the local park to feed the ducks and squirrels. This broadens children experiences, and enables them to become aware of the wider community. Children relate well to each other, and benefit from attending the local toddler groups where they socialise with other children and adults. They have lots of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities of developing their creativity, through painting and sticking activities, and enjoy the sensory experiences of hand painting. The childminder plans a balanced range of activities which enables children to take part in vigorous energetic play, and then relaxing activities, such as relaxing on the comfortable ban bags and looking at books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a strong sense of belonging, and the childminder helps them to develop their own identity, by displaying photographs of the children, and their parents and siblings. Children's individual and emotional needs are well met, due to the childminder recognising the importance of children having special comforters, or objects from home to establish emotional security. Children are helped to learn about the wider world and diversity through conversations, making collages, celebrating festivals, and toys and books reflecting positive images of diversity. Older children are rewarded and encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour in meaningful ways, and are not just learning about compliant behaviour, but consideration of others. The childminder helps all children to be aware of boundaries, so they are aware of expectations, and is a positive role model. All children are encouraged to take an active part, and she makes sure

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Helping children make a positive contribution

younger children are able to join in with all the activities. Good communication with parents and the use of daily diaries enables consistency of

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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 care, and helps establish trusting partnership, to promote children's well being, development, and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. This means they are able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care, and learning of children. They also serve towards establishing good working relationships with parents. The childminder is committed towards continuous improvement and is keen to further develop her skills and knowledge. She has used further training to enhance her practice, and benefit children. For example, children now benefit from more fruit and vegetables, and home cooked meals after she attended a healthy eating work shop. Children have enjoyed making owl puppets, and explored the issue of keeping safe, after she attended the story sack work shop. Good organisation of the daily routine, enables children to benefit from having individual times with the childminder, which supports children individual needs.

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Organisation

Overall the needs of all the children are met.

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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):

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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 • establish effective daily routines to prevent cross infection • ensure appropriate equipment is being used to encourage babies to sleep soundly • ensure equipment is regularly maintained, and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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