Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY310690 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2007 Inspection date S Campbell 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 2005. She lives with her husband and four children aged 11, 15 and two adults in Barking, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean and tidy and from an early age children are beginning to learn the importance of satisfactory hygiene practices through daily routines. For example, there are appropriate procedures in place when changing younger children to minimise the spread of infection. Whilst no child in the childminder’s care has had an accident there are appropriate

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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 systems in place and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a range of healthy snacks, such as fruits. Children’s parents provide their meals and the childminder freshly prepares their food. This ensures their individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has obtained relevant information about children’s specific dietary requirements and their cultural and religious needs are respected. The childminder introduces new foods to children’s diet, such as melon. She regularly shares information with parents about younger children’s daily food intake. Children’s good health is further promoted because they regularly go out on shopping trips within the local community to ensure they have ample fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space to move around and explore safely. The childminder provides a friendly environment. She greets parents in traditional terms, for example 'assalamn alaikom'. This means peace be up on you within the Muslim culture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a basic range of toys, such as soft toys and a musical play centre. Toys are in a reasonable state of repair and condition. However, they have an insufficient variety to further extend their learning experiences. The toys on offer are stored in a box on the floor to ensure easy access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a reasonably safe and secure environment. There are appropriate safety measures in place and children receive adequate supervision to ensure their safety. For example, children who are emerging walkers are closely supervised to minimise potential accidents. However, there are a number of potential dangers sited in the garden, the smoke alarm on the first floor needs to be regularly checked to ensure it is in good working order and appropriate written consent and documentation has not been obtained to take children in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of some of the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, she is not fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and well settled. They enjoy time spent with the childminder and her family and are forming positive relationships. The childminder responds attentively to children’s babbles, promoting language development. Children benefit from the one to one support during the day and they enjoy playing alongside the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with musical toys as they dance and rock side by side to the music. They spend time playing with the box of toys and when they are placed in the box they laugh and smile with the childminder. Children receive a lot of warmth and affection by the childminder. They receive cuddles throughout the day and when the childminder holds children on her lap they respond with smiles and begin to clap their hands.

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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. The childminder has obtained relevant information about children’s backgrounds to ensure their needs are satisfactorily met. She has a positive attitude towards diversity. This allows children to have a good sense of belonging. However, there are few resources on offer that promote positive images to extend children’s knowledge of the local community and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and when upset the childminder responds quickly to reassure them. The childminder uses appropriate methods to manage children’s behaviour according to their age and stage of development, such as distraction and explanation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is developing satisfactory relationships with parents. She works in partnership with parents to ensure information is obtained about younger children’s daily routine. This ensures continuity of care. Children’s progress is shared verbally with parents on a regular basis at the beginning and end of the day. All relevant written parental consent has been obtained and a contractual agreement is in place. This contributes to children’s well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended a number of courses since date of registration. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The childminder maintains appropriate records. This ensures the welfare of children is safeguarded. However, some records are not well maintained namely children’s record of attendance and relevant written parental consent.

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Organisation

The organisation of the day allows the childminder to support children’s development and play. All regulatory documents are in place, well organised and readily available for inspection. However, the childminder’s certificate of registration is not displayed for parents to see.

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Organisation

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.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • extend knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures • make the garden safe for children's access and ensure all smoke alarms are in good working order • develop the range of activities and resources provided to ensure children's all round development is promoted, and provide a range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, religion and disability • obtain written parental consent for transporting children in the car and ensure appropriate documentation is in place • display certificate of registration for parents to see and accurately record children's hours of attendance

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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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