Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332070 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2007 Inspection date Caroline Preston 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and 10 years in Dagenham, in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The family have a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, stimulating environment where they learn about good hygiene through following daily routines such as hand washing after using the toilet and before and after eating. Parents give prior written consent for the childminder to administer medication and seek emergency medical treatment, therefore children’s health needs are being met. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so is able to deal with accidents should they occur.

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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 Children are offered food and drink that is healthy and nutritious including vegetables, salads, chicken, pasta and fruit. All individual dietary requirements have been recorded prior to children starting. This means that children begin to learn about healthy foods. Children develop large physical skills because they have good opportunities to play in the garden, visit the local parks and play groups and are taken on various visits including Kensington Gardens.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures the environment is child friendly because she puts all play resources at child level, provides plenty of clear floor space and displays a good range of toys that meet children’s age and stage of development. All toys are safe and clean, therefore children can make choices and play in an uncluttered space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put all safety measures in place, including working fire alarms on each level of the house, mounted fire blanket in the kitchen, safety gates at the stairs and appropriate locks on the front and back door of the house. She also teaches children about safety through activity books, therefore they learn about road safety and how to keep safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed child protection training so is therefore able to name types of abuse, signs and symptoms and how to make referrals. This means appropriate action would be taken and that the childminder has developed good knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder interacts well with the children she cares for; she sits and plays with them, encouraging small children under two years to take part in play dough activities. She teaches them to roll out and knead the dough, talking about the shape and colour of the dough and what animals can be made from the dough. Therefore children learn about shape and size and can be creative and use their imaginations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children who are new to the setting are given support to feel secure, for example, talked to a lot, offered various activities and spend lots of time close to the childminder. Children are offered further opportunities to take part in activities when taken to the various playgroups in the local area, where they can socialise with other children and experience different play resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are offered some opportunities to learn about the wider world including access to festival books and some play resources, however, too few opportunities are offered on a daily basis; therefore children have missed learning experiences. The childminder has sufficient systems in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including a well written policy and understanding of working with outside agencies and offering all children the same learning opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well; they listen and respond to what the childminder suggests, for example, play dough activity. They learn about good manners through interaction with the childminder who also uses books that encourage politeness. Children benefit from good relationships

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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 between the parents and the childminder who offers parents daily feedback and a good range of polices and procedures that inform parents of the service she offers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for well because the childminder has good organisation skills. She ensures that all adults living in the household are safe and have undergone suitable checks, including police checks. The daily routine includes appropriate times for children to rest, sleep, play and learn. Well written policies and procedures inform parents of all care given and how this is offered. Information kept about the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made to 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): • continue to develop activities and play resources that promote equality of opportunity.

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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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