Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253237 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2007 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three in Ilford, in the London Borough of Redbridge. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the national childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. They move and play confidently because the childminder has organised the ground floor well and offers the children a playroom

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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 and quiet room in which to play. Children have a good understanding of simple good health and hygiene practices because the childminder encourages them and provides ample time in which the children can complete tasks successfully. For example the children wash their hands before a meal and access tissues easily if they need to. Children learn about healthy living through discussion offered by the childminder and through books, posters and opportunities to enjoy exercise and fresh air. For example children walk to and from childcare groups and use the garden and local parks daily. The childminder provides for all the children's needs and opportunities to nap and rest are available during the day. For example the childminder provides a fold away floor mattress and travel cot if required by the children. Children are well nourished

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Helping children to be healthy

because the childminder plans and provides well balanced and nutritious snacks and meals. Menus are available to allow parents opportunity to discuss possible alternatives or plan for the children's evening meal. Children have healthy options and serve themselves independently at the dinner table. For example children are always offered fresh vegetables and fruit at each meal and menus are varied such as pasta with cheese or meat, chapatti, rice, vegetables and salads.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children effectively stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. Parents are kept informed of any concerns during the day regarding children's health and all recording systems are kept up to date. For example parents sign consent for the administration of medicine records and acknowledgement for any accidents that may occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are effectively cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoors environment. The childminder thoroughly risk assesses the ground floor and successfully chooses rooms suitable for the purpose. For example children have access to the back room which is used as the children's play room. It is bright inviting and all play equipment is easily and safely accessed by children. However the outdoor area contains building materials this compromises the children safety. Children easily access suitable and safe play equipment and the childminder ensures all items are risk assessed before being put back into the box at the end of the day. The childminder provides the necessary equipment that ensures all of the children's needs are met for example, highchair, travel cot and buggy. All equipment is maintained and checked for breakages so that children remain safe when in use. Children learn effectively to keep themselves safe through

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

everyday discussion and through the positive role model that the childminder provides. For example children understand that they must tidy toys away so that they do not trip and fall. Children are effectively protected because of the childminders thorough understanding of her role in child protection and her ability to put appropriate procedures into action when necessary. For example the childminder has recently completed child protection training and is knowledgeable about recording and monitoring children if there were a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self esteem because the childminder is attentive and responds positively and constructively to their questions and comments. For example the children ask the childminder what she has cooked, the childminder lists the ingredients and how they are prepared. Children listen to the childminder, she offers them praise and encouragement so that contributing to a discussion is easy for them. Children ask questions and show real interest in

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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 things around them. For example children confidently introduce themselves and chatter about their morning at nursery. The childminder is knowledgeable about each child which is reflected in her planning of activities for the children to complete. Toys are successfully chosen to offer the children sufficient challenge. For example the childminder identifies that the children reading ability has developed and therefore supplies more structured books introducing a variety of new words and characters. The childminder observes and records minded children under three and has compiled interesting and informative child profiles in line with the Birth to three framework. For example the children's profiles consist of creative work, observations and photographs of different play activities. Children's needs are well met because the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder is interested in them as individuals and ensures that she provides activities that develop their knowledge and skills. For example the childminder provides different sized scissors and tools to ensure that children gain confidence in problem solving and an ability to master new skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps children to settle by asking parents for appropriate information concerning their child’s routine and individual needs. This guarantees that she has a good knowledge of the each child’s individual needs and contributes effectively to children’s well being while in her care. Children move confidently around the house and their sense of belonging is reinforced by seeing their drawing and other creative work on the walls. Photographs with clear labelling depict the children at parties and enjoying activities. Children enjoy contributing to discussion and to their creative wall because their achievements and comments are always acknowledged positively by the childminder. Children work harmoniously together and share and support each other, an example of this would be laying the table and ensuring that they each have a spoon and bowl. Children's behaviour is very good; the childminders clear expectations through the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

use of simple and positive rules based on respect helps children to learn to manage their own behaviour. For example the children each wait their turn to take off their shoes after nursery and help each other to undo their straps. This is further reinforced through the use of individual charts and stickers awarded for co-operative and thoughtful behaviour such as sharing, speaking nicely to each other and listening. The diversity of children's backgrounds and language is valued with the celebration of world festivals through a number of medias such as music, craft and food. The childminder offers the children positive representation of other cultures and disabilities within her toy selection for example, small play figures, dolls, books and dressing up clothes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly informal relationships between the childminder and parents. Parents feel comfortable in the setting and are confident to speak with the childminder about their child's day. They receive good quality information about the childminders service in the welcome pack and regular verbal updates on a daily basis. However the childminders complaints policy and system for recording is not up to date with current legislation this compromises children's safety through a lack of correct information available to pare

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has organised the play space, toys, and equipment, within her home very effectively. This enables children to play and explore freely without any restrictions. She has organised an inviting play room, where children feel at home and at ease. The childminder

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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 ensures that her first aid training is kept current and has also attended a number of child care courses and workshops to build on her knowledge and improve her practice. Children's welfare and individual needs are well met by the childminder who have appropriate records in place which supports her understanding of each child. Records are kept confidentially maintaining the child's privacy. The childminders complaints policy and system for recording is not current with legislation and debris is currently found in the garden area both of these compromises the children's safety.

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Organisation

The childminders meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to complete child protection and first aid training, both have been completed consequently children are protected and cared for appropriately. In addition the childminder was asked ensure that her first aid box is complete this has been achieved ensuring that she can deal with injuries that may occur effectively.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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 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 the outdoor play area is made safe • ensure complaints procedure and systems for recording complaints are inline with current legislation

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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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