Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY258558 Inspection date 20 July 2005 Inspector Mary Holt

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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 has been registered since May 2003 She lives with her husband and 1 child aged 3 years old. They live in a house situated in a residential area of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham which is within easy access of local schools, public transport, shops, parks, Parent/Carer Toddler groups and other local community resources. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 family has a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children aged under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding four children; two on a full time and two others on a part-time basis. One minded child plus the childminders own child were present during the inspection. The childminder drops off and collects children from a local school, takes minded children to a local pre-school group, the local library/park and attends a carer and toddler group and a childminding group on a regular basis. The childminder has completed the Introducing Childminding Practice (ICP) and holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the Barking & Dagenham Teen Parent Project.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming childminding home. Their good health is promoted well, for example, medication is stored safely The childminder has a good up to date knowledge of first aid and there are appropriate good hygiene arrangements in place to protect children from the family dog. Children are learning about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They use the toilet independently and are encouraged to flush and wash their hands afterwards. Individual towels are provided for hand drying to help minimise the risk of cross infection. Children are provided with a healthy, well balanced diet that includes snacks of fresh fruit and a variety of vegetables with each meal. Older children confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty and younger children are provided with drinks of water and low sugar juices frequently during the day. The childminder discusses menus

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Helping children to be healthy

with parents and is happy to cater for children's special dietary needs. A good range of indoor and outdoor activities are provided and organised for children, these contribute to their physical good health. They walk to the school each day, have regular access to the climbing frame, slide and other outdoor equipment provided at local parks, parent and toddler and childminder drop in groups and in the childminder's own back garden. Children are able to have a quiet rest or sleep according to their individual needs; younger children are provided with individual sheets and a blanket, older children have the opportunity to rest at the end of their school day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, safe and child centred environment. Space within

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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 the childminder's home is well organised. Children have ample room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable area to enjoy their meals. Daily checks of the garden are undertaken by the childminder and very good supervision of children help ensure that they are normally protected from harm. However, it was discovered that plastic bags and cleaning fluids had been left in areas that could have been accessible to children if the childminder's attention had been distracted. The items were immediately moved to a place inaccessible to children. Children have access to a wide range of safe and suitable furniture, toys and equipment. These are age appropriate and well organised, for example, small toys are kept out of the reach of young children and the childminder checks her toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

frequently to ensure they remain in good condition. Appropriate safety equipment is provided to keep children safe, this includes a stair gate at the foot of the stairs, a fire blanket in the kitchen, smoke alarms on both floors of the premises and a high level bolt is fitted to the front door to ensure that children are unable to open the door. Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder ensures they understand why it is important not to run indoors and the dangers of going into the kitchen when she is cooking. Children are kept safe on outings. They always hold the childminder's hand when out walking and know they must always use appropriate seating aids or restraints when travelling in the car. Suitable child protection procedures are in place to protect children and make sure that concerns about a child would be dealt with appropriately. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

copies of the local authority procedures and has a good knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. She hopes to soon attended child protection training. She stated that she would not hesitate to implement these procedures if she was concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled gradually into the childminder’s care to ensure they and their family get to know the childminder well before the childminding placement begins. When the children arrive in the morning they are greeted warmly by the childminder, settle quickly and confidently begin to play. Children's confidence and self esteem is built by the childminder who knows them well and treats them with respect. Children have access to a wide range of good quality play equipment, including toys and books that help them learn about the wider world. The childminder rotates her play equipment regularly to ensure children remain stimulated. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. She plans and provides a varied range of interesting indoor and outdoor activities to help children learn and have fun. Children have good opportunities to be creative. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use their imaginations well through role play as they dress up and care for the dolls. Children enjoy regular art and craft activities. They make cards for special occasions using collage materials. Opportunities for children to enjoy books and stories are good. The childminder reads stories and shares books with children each day as well

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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 as helping older children with their homework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their routine established at home and decide what they would like to eat at snack time. They make themselves at home and confidently choose toys and equipment. Children are learning to share, take turns and co-operate with others. The childminder is a good role model, she treats children with respect and manages their behaviour in a calm, patient and positive manner. Children are helped to feel good about themselves, the childminder uses praise frequently to reward positive behaviour such as sharing the available activities and taking turns with the dressing up outfits. Children explore their local community as they enjoy outings to fun day events, the local park, and library. They have good opportunities to learn about the wider world. Children play with a wide range of play materials and books designed to increase

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their awareness of diversity, including dolls, books, play people and dressing up outfits. There are good opportunities for children to further develop their understanding of other cultures and lifestyles through planned topics, projects and art and craft activities. A good, effective partnership between the childminder and parents ensures children's care is consistent. The childminder shares information and discusses the children's progress with parents on a daily basis. Parents state that they value the wide range of activities the childminder provides and the way she builds children's confidence

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident, happy and feel at home in the safe and welcoming childminding environment. The childminder has completed extensive training and children benefit from her good knowledge of child development. The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and is clear about her role and responsibility to protect children and provide good quality childcare. Children also benefit from the childminder's safely managed childminding service and her commitment to further developing her childcare knowledge and skills. All the required documentation is efficiently maintained, well organised, up to date and stored securely. The childminder has produced comprehensive policies and procedures and collated a selection of useful information to share with parents. They include her child protection, confidentiality and equal opportunities policies and

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Organisation

ensures parents are well informed about her childminding practices. She has attended several training courses since registration as well as becoming involved

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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 with the Barking & Dagenham Teen Parent Project. Overall, the needs of all children attending are met well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendation was made at the last inspection: to ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing (in this instance provide children with individual hand towels). Each child has now been provided with an individual, colour coded towel to use. This ensures that the risk of cross infection is minimised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there has been one complaint received regarding; National Standard 1 - Suitable Person, use of inappropriate language. National Standard 6 - Safety, lack of supervision, and National Standard 11 - Behaviour, inappropriate management of behaviour. This complaint was investigated by an Ofsted Inspector. No actions or recommendations were made. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure that plastic bags, bleaches and cleaning fluids do not pose a possible risk to children

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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 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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