Childminder in Hackney

Inspection report for early years provision

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402737 Unique Reference Number 16 August 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 1998. She lives with her husband and three children that include a 12 year old and two others that are of adult age in the Stamford hill area within the London borough of Hackney. With the exception of two bedrooms, all other areas of the childminder's maisonette are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor 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 one child under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's dietary requirements are known and considered when planning for their meals. They are offered balanced and nutritious lunches and snacks that consists of rice, pasta dishes, fresh vegetables, chicken and yoghurt. Also, bread sticks, rice cakes and fresh fruits such as bananas

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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 kiwis are offered at snack times. As a result of this children are encouraged to develop healthy eating practices. Fresh drinking water is available at all times ensuring that children do not get thirsty or dehydrated. Children are provided with regular opportunities to go out on local trips to parent and toddler groups, the park and also to play outdoors. This means that children's physical development is being promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment. The childminder follows daily procedures such as cleaning table tops and surfaces, sterilizing young children's feeding equipment, and sweeping the floors at the beginning and end of each day. This helps to minimise the spread of infection and the risk of germs. In addition there are appropriate procedures for dealing with sick children. The childminder holds a valid first aid qualification, which ensures that children receive appropriate care in the event of sustaining minor injuries; however, the childminder have not obtained parental consent for urgent emergency treatment for all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept secure when on the premises. This is because both internal and external door handles are above child height and as a result of this, children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. Additionally, an intercom system prevents unwanted visitors from gaining access. The organisation of space meets with children's needs and help to promote their independence. For example, a room is available for sleep and privacy and the toilet area is easily accessible. Children are generally kept safe as safety equipment help to restrict their access to stairs, toxic substances, large pebbles in the fire place and electrical sockets. The garden poses a risk to children's safety because of the accessibility to hazards such as rusty play equipment, a barrel filled with soiled water, tins of paint and an unsecured ladder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to an adequate range of toys that are developmentally and age appropriate. As a result of this, children are able to choose and make decisions for themselves and play with toys that are fairly stimulating and interesting. Available to children are a varied range of equipment that is provided for their safety and development. This includes a travel cot, highchair and a baby monitor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues. In addition to this, she ensures that parents are made aware of her responsibilities for recording and reporting any concerns. This supports children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are fairly happy and generally settled in the childminder's care. This is because the childminder values their individuality and is building a trusting relationship with them and their parents. Children are beginning to feel secure as the childminder gives comfort, reassurance and offers them a daily routine that incorporates their individual care routines for sleep times and feeding. Overall, children benefit from consistent care and consequently this supports their well-being. Children are provided with opportunities to visit parent and toddler groups, parks and take short walks within the locality. This enables children to play alongside other children in a social group setting and to become familiar with their environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive appropriate support in developing their language and communication skills through talk, stories and questioning. They are learning to communicate in different ways by

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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 using gestures such as pointing to objects and responding to simple questions and commands. Children are beginning to show interests in a suitable range of activities that are on offer. For example, books, number cubes, puzzles, stacking rings and shape sorters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated with respect as the childminder acknowledges their culture, language and diet. This approach enables children to develop positive self esteem. With the exception of the consent for urgent medical treatment, all other relevant information about children's background and specific requirements are obtained from parents in order to meets each individual child's needs. Regular and informal daily discussions ensure continuity of care for the children. Although parents are kept informed of the childminder's responsibilities for protecting children, they are not fully informed of the procedures for if they wish to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises children's different abilities and is keen to ensure that all children have equal access to toys and activities. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of similarities and differences as they play with a small selection of dolls and books that reflect positive images of race and culture. Children behave well as appropriate strategies, according to their age and stage of development, help them understand right from wrong. Children benefit from receiving lots of praise and encouragement.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are beginning to feel at ease with the childminder because of the settling in procedure and the reassurance given. The children's day is organised to support their individual needs through the consistency of care that they receive. The childminder provides an adequate and suitable range of toys and activities for children each day, and they benefit from regular trips to group settings and places of interest in their local environment. Children are generally kept safe when indoors; however, they are exposed to potential hazards in the garden. The environment is clean and tidy and there are appropriate procedures in place to minimise the risk of cross infection or the spread of germs. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge of child development and care. This has resulted in children receiving appropriate care. There are systems in place to share and exchange information with parents about their child and the provision, although not all consents have been obtained and parents are not fully informed about the procedures for complaints. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and is aware her responsibilities for ensuring that people who are in regular contact with children undergo appropriate checks. This means that children's welfare is safeguarded. All mandatory records are in place, confidential and generally maintained, apart from the accident records that have missing details such as the time of the accident and the treatment provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to obtain parental consent for outings, medication and urgent medical treatment and to make sure that the low level display unit is safe or inaccessible to children. The childminder was also asked make two bedrooms inaccessible to children; complete

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Improvements 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 an appropriate childminding course and develop her own knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and behaviour management.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder generally promotes children's welfare through obtaining parental consent for administering medication and taking children out on trips. However, the consent for urgent medical treatment has not been obtained for all children. The childminder has taken steps to remove the low level glass display unit. The use of stair gates restricts children's access to the second and third bedrooms. This helps to reduce potential hazards to children. The childminder recently attended a childminder training course and now has a secure knowledge of child development and child care issues such as equal opportunities and behaviour management. As a result of this, children are treated with equal concern and they now have some access to a range of anti-discriminatory toys that helps to develop their awareness of similarities and differences. Also, children behave well because the childminder is consistent in her approach

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 parental consents for seeking urgent medical treatment or advice for all children • assess the risks to children in relation to rusty toys, tins of paints, a ladder and items that collect water and take action to minimise these • ensure parents are kept informed of the procedures to follow if they have a complaint • improve the recording of accidents and ensure that all required details are kept.

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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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