Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345636 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Toni Hanson 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 January 2006. She lives with her husband and three year old daughter. The family live in a house in Romford, Essex, which is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a main line train station. The ground floor is the main area used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding one child aged three years on a part-time basis. She attends a carer and toddler group regularly. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, welcoming childminding home. Their health is promoted appropriately, for example children are provided with their own individual hand drying towels to reduce the risk of cross infection. The childminder has completed a relevant, paediatric first

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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 aid training course to ensure her knowledge of first aid procedures is current and she can deal with an accident appropriately. Children who attend on a part-time basis are provided with snacks that include healthy options such as fresh fruit and dried fruit snacks. The childminder also stores packed lunches provided by parents appropriately. Children are offered drinks regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a broad range of indoor and outdoor activities each day, these allow them to be active and further develop their physical skills. They use the swing, slide, climbing frame and other outdoor play equipment in the garden, weather permitting. Children enjoy regular visits to the local park. Suitable facilities are in place to allow younger children to rest or sleep comfortably when they are tired. Older children have a 'quiet time' when they relax and listen to stories or complete puzzles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Although most areas of the childminder's home are safe and suitable, potentially hazardous items such as an air freshener spray are accessible to children in the bathroom. The childminder's appropriate supervision of children helps to ensure they are protected from harm, for example children are watched as they go up and down stairs due to the wide gap between the banisters. Children have ample room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable place to enjoy meals. They move confidently around the childminder's home and know which areas they can and cannot use. Appropriate measures are in place to protect children; including, safety gates, cupboard locks, smoke alarms and a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to a wide range of age appropriate, safe and suitable play equipment. The childminder checks these regularly to make sure that they remain safe and in good condition. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they are reminded not to stand on chairs. They know it is best to look at, but not touch bees in case they sting. Children's well-being is satisfactorily safeguarded as all adults living in the childminder's home are vetted appropriately. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children, knows the signs and symptoms of child abuse and has a basic knowledge of her local authority child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confidently makes themselves at home. The childminder's warm, gentle manner helps them to feel secure. Opportunities for children to develop personal independence are good. They choose the toys they need to begin an activity independently, decide which snack they would like to eat, help to sort and pack away toys and are praised for putting on their own shoes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans and provides a wide range of interesting and enjoyable play experiences for children. They concentrate well as they build with bricks, constructing 'crocodiles' that 'snap' and 'swim though swamps'. The childminder reads to children each day, encouraging their interest in books and stories. Children learn about the natural world as they watch carrot tops sprout and plant and care for pepper seeds. They talk about the life cycles of animals as they watch the childminder's terrapin prepare to lay an egg.

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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 confidently speak and are keen to share their thoughts and ideas with the childminder. They tell her about important events in their lives, such as a visit from a granddad with a long, white beard. The childminder patiently listens and pays careful attention to what children say. She offers children good support as they learn, for instance helps them count the number of bricks they have used to make a tall, giraffe tower. Children are positively engaged throughout their time with the childminder and have good opportunities to learn, develop new skills and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are self-assured and comfortable in the childminder's care. They have appropriate opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. Children have access to a satisfactory range of play resources designed to develop their understanding of diversity; including, small world people and dual language books. They make paper lanterns as they talk about the festival of Diwali. Children explore their local community as they visit the library, park and toddler/carer group. The childminder organises educational trips further afield, for example children travel on an underground train to visit a museum in London. They delightedly recall this exciting event, talking about the 'enormous dinosaurs' and shaky earthquake machine'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's close working relationship with parents. Financial and care arrangements are agreed and confirmed through the use of written contracts to ensure continuity of care. The childminder makes parents welcome in her home and gives them verbal feedback about their children's progress each day. The childminder states she talks to parents about the outings she provides and tells them that children will be transported in her car. However, these agreements are not confirmed in writing to ensure parents have clear information about this aspect of her childminding service. Children learn important social skills through their play. They know they must take turns when playing the honeybee game with the childminder. Children behave well, and benefit from consistent praise and encouragement. They are encouraged to take care of their environment, collecting paper for recycling and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

watching the childminder put food scraps on the compost.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the childminder's care. Their health is promoted appropriately. Children benefit from the childminder's sound understanding of child development and the good range of play opportunities she plans and provides to help them make progress in all areas of their development. Their behaviour is managed positively. Children are safeguarded satisfactorily. Most areas of the childminder's home are safe and the childminder has a sufficient understanding of her local authority child protection procedures.

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Organisation

Most of the required childminding documentation is satisfactorily maintained, up-to-date and stored securely. This supports children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 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): • assess the risks to children in relation to accessible hazardous items stored in the bathroom and take action to minimise these • improve knowledge and understanding of local authority child protection procedures • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are maintained appropriately and available for inspection at all times.

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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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