Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY104204 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Deborah Ann Benn 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 2002. She lives with her husband and 12 year old daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a house in a residential area in Chadwell Heath in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the 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 four children under the age of eight at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and two children over eight after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet Spaniel dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Good regard is given to children's health and their care is well supported due to the standard of hygiene and cleanliness throughout the premises. Thoughtful organisation and appropriate systems means that children are provided with individual flannels which are easily identifiable. This coupled with a clear expectation of good hygiene routines, helps to prevent cross infection. The childminder ensures that the care of the dog does not adversely affect the care of the children. A fenced off paved area of the garden is used by the dog and cleaned frequently. As well as this, the garden is always checked before children go outside and children do not have access to the dog's food bowls. The dog has regular vaccinations and necessary treatments. Parents sign an agreement for children to have supervised contact with the dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good documentation and record keeping further supports children's health. Children's individual medical needs and food requirements are clearly documented. Accidents and the administration of first aid and medication are clearly recorded and countersigned by parents to ensure continuity of care. Written permission is in place for the childminder to seek emergency medical care for children in the event of an emergency so that care is not delayed. The childminder ensures that she keeps her first aid training current and the first aid kit appropriately stocked and readily to hand.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with substantial and nutritious meals. The childminder is very aware of her responsibility to promote healthy eating and ensures that children have a choice of vegetables at each main meal. Sweets are very limited and appropriate healthy options provided, such as yogurts and fruit. Children have access to fresh water and juice throughout the day. Their independence and ability to assess their own needs is appropriately supported as they help themselves to their own easily identifiable drinking bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well supported, the childminder provides space and encouragement for children to develop their skills. Children learn to use a variety of pedal and push-along toys in the garden. Ball games are played frequently and the childminder supports the children well to learn to throw, catch and kick. Children are taken on regular outings to local parks and toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and child friendly environment. Good is use is made of space and resources to provide appropriate areas for children to play, eat and rest. The well resourced play room provides a real opportunity for children to play freely. Children's art work is displayed on the walls helping them to own the space and feel at ease. A wide range of age appropriate equipment is readily accessible with additional resources available on request from higher shelves. The quiet lounge provides somewhere for children to rest during the day and for older children to read quietly away from the younger ones in the evening if they choose. The garden is flat and fully enclosed and provides somewhere safe for children to extend their play in the fresh air. The childminder is vigilant to children's needs, she ensures that they are never left unattended and always directly supervises the youngest children, particularly in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very aware of the importance of keeping themselves safe. They speak knowledgeably about how they must be careful when walking along the pavement. They are very aware of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 importance of holding hands, walking sensibly and never running off when on outings. The use of safety latches on low cupboards in the kitchen and safety glass in internal as well as external doors means that children can move around safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Satisfactory systems are in place to protect children from the risk of fire. The childminder tests the smoke alarms regularly, changes the batteries frequently and a fire blanket is readily accessible in the kitchen. Although the childminder is aware of exits and routes, she has not practised a fire drill with the children. This means there is a risk of confusion in the event of needing to evacuate the premises swiftly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder is very aware of her responsibility to ensure that she reacts appropriately if there are causes for concern regarding child protection. She ensures that she familiarises herself with current guidance and keeps contact numbers for the necessary authorities readily to hand. This helps to prevent delay in seeking support for families in crisis and protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well cared for. They enjoy their time with the childminder and her family, and are at ease in her home. The childminder knows the children well, she plans her day to provide a balance of activities and equips children with resources which support their interests and stimulate their imaginations. Children's language is very well supported. The childminder shares books with the children daily and speaks with the children constantly, encouraging conversation and listening to what they say. As a result, children chat confidently and readily express themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Television is used sparingly so that children are able to use the majority of their time to play together. Children enjoy participating in role play games, and like to transform the playroom into various settings to make an appropriate environment for their chosen game. Children have frequent opportunity to take part in creative activities and enjoy painting and sticking, their works of art are proudly displayed around the walls of the playroom. The childminder takes children on regular local walks, good use is made of nearby parks and toddler groups as well as occasional train trips taken further afield, such as to the seaside, during school holidays. Children use the garden daily, they make good use of the grassed and paved areas for different types of activities and particularly enjoy to play ball games. Children learn about the world around them as they explore the garden and through activities, such as growing sunflowers

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and tomatoes and proudly show off their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual personalities and preferences are acknowledged and valued. The childminder is very aware of how different the children are and skilfully adapts activities and plans her day, to accommodate these. Children are beginning to learn about respecting people of different cultures through books and toys which reflect positive images. Children are encouraged and supported to play inclusively and with an awareness of others. Children's behaviour is good. They interact positively and learn to take turns as they share toys and play games, well supported by the childminder who plays with them. The childminder and her family are good role models, they speak to the children in a gentle and warm manner and help the children to learn how to interact. The childminder skilfully and effectively uses distraction when managing children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 behaviour and is very aware of her responsibility, to ensure that children are kept appropriately and constructively occupied. Behaviour management is agreed together with parents and they are kept well informed to ensure a consistent approach. The childminder uses positive language, she gives children attention so that they do not have to use adverse behaviour to seek it and thanks the children in a natural manner throughout the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses detailed contracts and agreements to prepare fully for the needs of the child and develop and support a professional relationship. Time is taken daily to share verbally with parents, so that they are kept well informed of their child's day. Where collecting is shared with other family members, the childminder ensures that she spends time weekly speaking with parents and is also available to them by telephone.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, she ensures that her first aid training is kept current, her insurance valid and her records maintained and accurate. She is aware of her responsibility to ensure that all adults in the household are appropriately vetted and never leaves children unsupervised. The good use of the ground floor of the premises provides an ordered and accessible space where children can play and their individual needs are met. The childminder's commitment to improvement and quality is reflected in her booking places on training to undertake food hygiene, and the Early Years Foundation Stage to familiarise herself with new legislation and practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has all necessary information readily available to parents to inform them of her suitability.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of recommendations were agreed to improve practice. These have all been satisfactorily addressed. The childminder has improved the safety of the premises by fitting spindles to the staircase, eliminating the risk of children climbing onto the horizontal balustrade previously in place on the first floor. She has also replaced her previous fire with an ornamental one that does not require a fire-guard. Accident records are now countersigned by parents, ensuring consistency of care and clarity of information and children's awareness of the wider world has been increased by the provision of toys and books reflecting different cultures.

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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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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 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): • practise the emergency escape plan

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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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