Childminder in Havering

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 159537 Inspection date 01 June 2005 Inspector Toni Hanson

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 2 years. The family live in a house in Harold Hill, Romford, which is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a short drive from two main line train stations. Apart from the main bedroom, all areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a rabbit, two cats and a budgie.

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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 registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children, all on a part-time basis. Two minded children were present during the inspection. The childminder 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 is a qualified Nursery Nurse. She 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 Harold Hill Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm, welcoming, childminding home. Their good health is promoted well, for example medication is stored safely, the childminder has an up to date knowledge of first aid and there are appropriate hygiene arrangements in place to protect children from pets. Children are learning about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They use the toilet independently and are encouraged to wash their hands afterwards. Paper towels are provided for hand drying to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are provided with a healthy, balanced diet that includes snacks of fresh fruit and a choice of vegetables with each meal. Older children confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty and younger children are provided with beakers of water and low sugar juices frequently during the day. The childminder agrees menus with parents and is happy to cater for children's special dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

A good range of indoor and outdoor activities are 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 in the childminder's garden and enthusiastically dance and play musical instruments to music and movement tapes. Children are able to have a quiet rest or sleep according to their individual needs. Older children sleep on the settee. Although they have their own special cover, they rest directly on the settee and are not provided with an undersheet to ensure the surface is clean and hygienic.

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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 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 house

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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 and garden by the childminder and very good supervision of children help ensure they are protected from harm. 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 frequently to ensure they remain in good condition. Appropriate safety equipment is provided to keep children safe, this includes a stairgate at the foot of the stairs, a fire blanket in the kitchen and a front door alarm to make sure that the childminder is alerted quickly if a child tries 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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 never run in the road. The childminder is developing the children's knowledge of road safety by talking to children about potential dangers and encouraging them to look out for cars as they cross the road. 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 copies of the local authority procedures, has attended child protection training and has a sound understanding of her responsibilities. She stated that she would not hesitate to implement the 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 her 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 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 sound understanding of child development. She plans and provides a broad range of interesting indoor and outdoor activities to help children learn and have fun. Children have good opportunities to be creative. They use their imaginations well through role play as they dress up and care for the dolls. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy regular art and craft activities. They make Mother's day cards using collage materials and create monster models using play dough. Opportunities for children to enjoy books and stories are good. The childminder reads stories and shares books with children each day.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their normal sleeping 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, treats children with respect and manages children's behaviour in a calm, positive way. Children are helped to feel good about themselves, the childminder uses praise frequently to reward 'good' behaviour such as sharing the playdough and taking turns with the computer. Children are also encouraged to care for other living things, they enjoy feeding the rabbit and watched the tropical fish being born. Children explore their local community as they enjoy outings to the local park and library. They have satisfactory opportunities to learn about the wider world. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

play with a small range of toys and books designed to increase their awareness of diversity, including dolls, books and lengths of cloth to dress up in. There are however, too few opportunities for children further develop their understanding of other cultures and lifestyles through planned activities such as art work, cooking and music. An 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 each day. Parents say 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 welcoming, safe, childminding environment. The childminder is an experienced, qualified Nursery Nurse 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 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 a comprehensive book of useful information to share with parents. It includes her child protection, confidentiality and equal opportunities policies and ensures parents are well informed about her

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Organisation

childminding practices. She has attended several training courses since her last inspection including child protection and the management of children's behaviour. Overall, the needs of all children attending are met well.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased her range of play equipment that helps children learn about diversity since her last inspection. However, opportunities for children to further explore the wider world remain limited.

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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): • Provide further opportunities for children to learn about the wider world. • Ensure sleeping arrangements for children resting on the settee are hygienic.

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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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