Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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153651 Unique Reference Number 13 July 2007 Inspection date Sharon Henry 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 2001.She lives with her husband and three children and her adult foster daughter. The family live in the Walthamstow area of the London borough of Waltham Forest. Areas used for childminding are the lounge and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group. The family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop an awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and benefit from the provision of balanced nutritious meals and snacks that contribute to their well-being. Children's good

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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 health is further protected as the childminder carefully records dietary information gained from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn good hygiene practise and personal care through daily routines, such as regular hand washing after using the toilet and after touching the cat. However; children are not fully protected from the risk of cross contamination due to the cat's litter tray and feeding bowl being easily accessible. As a result children health is compromised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she has the relevant knowledge to promptly administer first aid in the event of an accident. However, parental consent is not requested for the seeking of any emergency treatment or advice and the administration of medication,

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills as they visit local parks where they play with large apparatus. They have daily access to the garden, which is set up with sand and role play equipment. A secure child size trampoline provides children with the opportunity to practise jumping and balancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a warm and welcoming home, where they are made to feel welcome and valued. For example; they are greeted on arrival and the childminder takes time to listen to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit as the premises is a safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder recognises hazards to children; she uses accident prevention equipment such as stair gates and close supervision to ensure they remain safe. The satisfactory range of toys and equipment are in good condition and safe, and are age and stage appropriate for the children. Some are set out to be immediately accessible and children know where to find other resources, consequently they remain occupied. The childminder closely monitors toys that are unsuitable for younger children, to reduce the risk of accident access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She understands her responsibility to safeguard children through reporting any child protection concerns, although contact numbers are not readily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They relate well to her and approach her with ease to make their requests known. The childminder is friendly and caring and she interacts positively with children. Children have a choice of activities; the childminder asks them what they would like to do and plans the time based around their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are learning to become independent and gain self-esteem through making choices in a positive environment. Children are confident and chat happily in the childminder's company. She uses lots of encouragement, praises and good language to support the children. For example, a child chatters freely with the childminder who encourages his language development with open ended questions.

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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 enjoy being creative as they play with the play dough using rolling pins and shape cutters to make patterns. They spend long periods playing in the sand where they filled containers and built sand castles. Children's imaginative development is supported with a satisfactory range of role play equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are noticeable good relationships between the children and the childminder. She engages the children in conversations and listens to their needs. This means that the children feel valued and develop a sense of self-worth and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are very effectively met through a variety of means including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. Children settle well and benefit from the good partnership developed between the childminder and parents. However, parents are not made aware of the procedures to follow should they wish to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for according to parents wishes which promotes continuity of care and their well-being. There are systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities, for example, through daily chats with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and they have clear and consistent boundaries which encourage them to learn about rules and understand responsible behaviour. They are learning to use polite language and play alongside each other. For example, when children favour the same book they are encouraged to share and look at the book together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes children’s needs and routines at the agreement stage and she assures ongoing support through on-going communication with parents. Therefore, children receive the appropriate levels of care. Children have the opportunity to learn about their community through discussions. However, children have limited access to activities and resources that increase their awareness of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel relaxed and confident in the childminding home. This is because the childminder organises a flexible daily routine suitable to their needs that makes the children feel welcome. The childminder arranges minding commitments so that children have appropriate support for their care, learning and play. Children are happy and use the space available freely to enhance their play.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the polices and procedures that are in place which generally promotes their welfare, safety and well-being. However children's attendance is not accurately recorded. The childminder keeps detailed information on children which enables her to cater for their individual needs well and deal promptly with situation such as contacting parents should there be an emergency. However documentation is not well managed with regard to not all being up to date, easily accessible and available for inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder meet 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendation with regard to obtaining written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to notify Ofsted of all adults who live or work on the premises, and ensure that they are suitably vetted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some progress Ofsted now have a up to date record of all persons living in the household. All persons aged sixteen and over have been suitably checked. However, she has yet to obtain written permission from parents for the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. • ensure children attendance is accurately recorded • ensure children do not have access to the cat's litter tray and food bowl • ensure parents are aware of the procedures to follow should they have a complaint, and develop a system for logging complaints received by parents in line with current legislation • ensure that all records relating to day childminding activities are readily accessible 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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