Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339232 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool 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 family, which includes a daughter aged four years in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the flat, apart from the main living room, is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years all day. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She visits the local parks, library and toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean hygienic environment where the childminder follows suitable hygiene procedures. For example, ensuring that she washes her hands before preparing foods; toileting areas are kept clean and fresh fruits are washed prior to being served to children. The risk of cross infection is further minimised as sick children are not allowed to attend. The

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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 childminder obtains parents' written consent and instructions for when administering medication to children; however, she does not keep a complete record of when administering medication such as inhalers to children. The childminder is aware of the procedures for keeping accident records. However, she has not yet developed her knowledge of first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to participate in physical exercise as they have access to a mini trampoline, scooter, tricycle and push and pull along toys; all of which helps to promote children's physical development. Children are provided with a variety of nutritious meals throughout the day, for example, chapattis and savoury yoghurt, rice dishes, noodles, fish fingers and salads. They enjoy a variety of fresh fruits at snack times. Children have access to drinking water at all times and they are offered a choice of fruit juice or milk at breakfast and lunch times. Overall, children are helped to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use a reasonable range of resources that are developmentally age appropriate. They have safe and easy access to toys, which helps to promote their independence and encourages choice. A colourful variety of posters on display help to reinforce children's knowledge and understanding of colours, numbers and alphabet letters. There is an appropriate variety of equipment for the safety, comfort and development of young children, which includes a travel cot, buggy and a baby swing. Children have sufficient space to work and play as they are allowed to use most rooms. Children freely use the hallway to gain entry into other rooms; however the sitting room door is left wide open allowing children access to the glass table and cabinet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are generally secure, although at times the key is left in the main front door and it is at a level that children can reach. This means that they can leave the premises unsupervised. There are suitable systems in place to ensure children depart safely as the childminder uses passwords to ensure that only authorised persons can collect the children. The childminder help children understand how to keep themselves safe as she reminds them to help tidy up and teaches them about road safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled within the environment and are familiar with the routines. Children readily ask questions about what is happening and where will they be visiting today. They are eager to play with a range of toys that is made available to them on a day to day basis and confidently ask for changes to toys or independently select for themselves. Children show lots of interest in the toys and spend quite some time fitting in and completing puzzle pieces. The childminder encourages children's communication and language development through listening, valuing and responding to their comments. Children's language skills are further supported as they have frequent access to mini computers and play picture and word card games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's understanding of numbers; alphabet letters and colours are reinforced through displayed posters, books and puzzles. They benefit from regular trips to drop in centres, parks and libraries. Children's creative development is encouraged through a variety of activities offered to them that includes painting, colouring in, playing with play dough and being supported to make necklaces and masks. They have lots of opportunities to mix with large numbers of children and participate in group activities. This helps to promote their social

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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 development. Overall, children have good relationships with the childminder and this supports their sense of well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and simple explanation that enable them to understand what is acceptable behaviour. Children are learning important social skills such as saying 'please' and 'thank you', particularly when they ask for toys or are given equipment to use. The childminder encourages children to have respect for their environment. For example, children help with tidying up and putting away toys before selecting another item. The childminder treats children as individuals and acknowledges their differences, abilities and preferences. Children are able to make choices about what they wish to play with, eat and drink.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to accept differences and respect other cultures through discussions about the celebrations of different festivals such as divali and Christmas and the different cultural dress wear. The childminder uses books and multi-racial play people to help children understand about different family backgrounds. Children are supported to learn simple words in Urdu. This encourages children to develop positive attitudes to diversity. The childminder is developing positive working relationships with parents. She obtains information from parents before children are placed in her care; helps to settle children into her home and verbally shares care procedures about their child's general well-being with parents each day. The childminder agrees expectations with parents for the continuity of children's care; however, she has not informed parents of the procedures to follow if they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally secure environment where there is sufficient space that allows them to move around freely and promotes their independence. The childminder offers children a regular routine that enables them to feel comfortable and gain confidence. Children are provided with a range of toys and activities on a daily basis and as a result of this, their language, communication and creative skills are being promoted. The childminder's developing knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework ensures that children are a provided with appropriate care, learning and play opportunities. Children's health needs are appropriately met through the childminder's hygiene practices. Children are generally kept safe and they are learning to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders. However, they have easy access to some areas that pose a risk to their safety.

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Organisation

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the National Standards, which ensures that children's welfare is generally promoted. She is committed to training and attends when she can; however, she has yet to develop her knowledge of first aid. Most documentation for the welfare and safety of children are in place, although the attendance records are not well maintained. The childminder is aware of keeping medication records; however, the administering of inhalers in order to meet children's medical needs is not recorded. The childminder obtains necessary consents from parents and generally keeps them informed about the procedures for care, although they are not fully informed of the procedures for complaints. In addition to this, the childminder is not familiar with the procedures for dealing with complaints. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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): • keep a written record of all types of medication given to children • make sitting room and keys to the main front door inaccessible to children • develop own knowledge of how to deal with complaints and inform parents of the procedures for complaints • develop own knowledge and understanding of first aid for infants and young children • maintain up to date written documentation of the daily attendance register.

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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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