The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118799 Unique Reference Number 25 February 2008 Inspection date Amanda Gill 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 has been registered since 1996. She lives in a three bedroom, mid terrace property in Romford, in the London Borough of Havering. The home is within walking distance of local shops, Romford shopping centre and Crowlands Infants and Junior schools. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 11 and four years of age.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years. The childminder currently has three children on roll under the age of eight and of these children one child is under the age of one.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active 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. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through reinforced daily routines. They know, for example, that by washing their hands after using the toilet they will be both clean and healthy. The childminder ensures that she sets them a good example and they see her washing her hands prior to preparing food and after changing nappies. The children's health is well maintained because the childminder implements effective procedures to ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised. For example, she wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and disinfects changing areas after use. Written information is obtained from parents regarding children's medical history, allergies and special dietary requirements ensuring their individual needs are fully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are effectively met. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, so is able to manage accidents should they occur, to ensure children are kept safe. There are appropriate systems in place to record accidents and medication administered. There are clear procedures in place if children are taken ill while in the childminder's care and parental consent has been obtained to seek emergency medical advice and/or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet which is provided by parents and the childminder. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy eating because they receive nutritious freshly prepared meals and snacks, such as pasta, cereals, yoghurts, toast, fruit and home made pizzas. Drinks are made available for the children during their time at the childminder's and they are encouraged to help themselves when possible, increasing their independence. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have frequent opportunities to take part in physical activities and to get fresh air. The childminder states that the children play daily in the garden and enjoy riding on cars, playing with the pop up tent and slides, pushing buggies and bouncing on the small bouncy castle. The childminder also ensures that children have the opportunity to be active indoors, moving to music, singing songs and dancing with 'Boogie Beebies' and the 'Wiggles' which are their favourites.

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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 secure and well maintained environment. The childminder provides an environment that is warm, friendly and homely. Children are comfortable and well settled. Children are able to freely access toys and resources. Resources are in good repair and the childminder regularly washes toys to ensure they are hygienic. They are stimulating, fun and provide excellent challenge. The childminder rotates toys once a week to maintain children's interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of ensuring children's safety and carries out a visual risk assessment to ensure that her home is free from potential hazards before children arrive each day. This means that the children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children learn about road safety, personal safety and emergency evacuation procedures as part of their daily routines. Effective fire safety precautions are implemented. This includes having maintained

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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 smoke alarms on both levels of the home, an accessible fire blanket in the kitchen and a clear fire evacuation procedure that is practised once a month with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of child protection issues. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms and knows what action she needs to take, if she has any concerns about a child in her care, however, existing injuries or concerns are currently not recorded. Good systems are in place to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children, which ensures their safety is not compromised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have developed extremely close, trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of play in children's development and provides a well balanced range of activities supported by a wide selection of resources. Children's vocabulary and language is enriched by the childminder's interaction, through use of books and puzzles. For example, babies enjoy listening to the childminder's voice and smiling as they feel the different textures of a sensory story book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently play and enjoy the activities provided. Children enjoy a range of activities that take into account their individual development, for example, recognising animal sounds, recognising colours and for younger children recognising themselves in the mirror, laughing and kissing their reflections. Children relate well with the childminder and show affection by seeking comfort, hugging and assistance if required. Good questioning and repetition of children's responses encourage language development. Children's creative and tactile skills are encouraged through such activities as mask making, play dough and cooking. The varied range of activities help children to develop their imagination and address diversity, examples are dressing up and the small world dolls house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a good balance of free play and adult directed activities on offer. Children play well together and the childminder encourages them to develop an understanding of sharing, taking turns and securing relationships with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and respect. The childminder uses effective methods for managing behaviour, this helps children to understand the needs of others. She considers it important for children to receive praise for positive behaviour, such as helping to tidy up. The childminder promotes positive behaviour, she describes appropriate strategies to ensure she manages behaviour consistently and positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of equality issues. Children develop a positive awareness of the diverse community they live in from the range of resources they play with. Play resources include multi-cultural dolls, puzzles, games, dressing up costumes and ability awareness packs that include crutches, darkened glasses and callipers for dolls. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with a disability or learning difficulty. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children with a disability. She is aware of the importance of working closely with parents, and would ask parents for a routine of care and discuss issues with professionals involved in the child's care.

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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 Children benefit from the secure informal relationships between the childminder and their parents enabling them to settle well and feel self assured. Detailed information is exchanged verbally, including details about what children have eaten, activities they have been involved in and outings, ensuring parents are informed about what their child has been involved in on a daily basis to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good support from the childminder. She interacts positively with them and knows them well, helping them to feel secure and confident. The environment is well organised and child friendly. Children are happy and aware of their surroundings. They participate in a clear routine which is planned to meet their individual needs of rest, mealtimes and outings. Parents are informed about their child's day through informal discussions which details what their child has eaten, how long they have slept for, nappy changes and activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder has an understanding of the National Standards for Childminding, and required policies and procedures are implemented. All required documentation is in place to safeguard and support children's welfare and is stored securely and made available for inspection. All relevant information is shared with parents, thus maintaining good relationships. The childminder is aware that records must be maintained if complaints are received.

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Organisation

Children's welfare and care needs are met as the childminder has a good understanding of the needs of the children in her care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend play equipment to include positive images of people with disabilities. The childminder has taken positive steps to improve and develop the range of resources and activities for children that reflect positive images to include, dolls with crutches, callipers, a wheelchair, and puzzles with positive images. The childminder has a strong commitment to allow all children equal access to all activities and opportunities and to raise their awareness of diversity and the community they live in.

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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): • consider developing a confidential system to record pre existing injuries or concerns

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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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