Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216325 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Angela Jackson 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 2002. She is registered to care for 2 children under the age of 8 years of whom 1 may be under the age of 1 year. Overnight care must not be provided.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The registered premises is a two bedroom house in Collier Row very close to Crownfields Primary School and within easy access of both Romford and Collier Row shops and local resources. The main areas used for childminding are the lounge and upstairs play room, the garden is also available for use.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a pet dog and goldfish. Children may have supervised access to the dog. It is a non - smoking household.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has particular experience in the care of children with disabilities and has basic signing skills.

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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 are cared for in the light, tidy and clean home where high standards of hygiene such as frequent wiping down of work surfaces and tables with sterilising solution, ensure children are kept healthy. Children's independence is encouraged as, with support, they take themselves to the toilet. They are learning to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and understand that this is to prevent 'germs getting into tummies'. Risk of cross infection amongst children is minimised by sick children being kept at home and not mixing with others, until well. Medicine is not given to children without express consent and instructions, from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in the downstairs living area or, under supervision, in the upstairs playroom. Outside they have access to a fair sized garden where they play on a swing, with bats, balls and hoops. This exercise in the fresh air is extended by regular walks to local parks and open spaces, and to Kidspace in Romford. The physical play helps children to keep healthy by giving them the opportunity to do vigorous activities such as running, sliding and climbing, and to develop coordination skills. Parent's wishes to have children learn to swim are taken into account, as children are taken to lessons in a pool nearby.

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Helping children to be healthy

In case of emergency, children's health is protected by the childminder having a first aid qualification. There is a well-stocked first aid kit which provides a good range of equipment and dressings.

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Helping children to be healthy

To avoid the risk of dehydration, fresh drinking water is offered throughout the day supplemented as necessary with juice, milk or tea. Children's dietary needs are met as they tuck into a good range of healthy foods. They are encouraged to try a variety of fruits including cherries, grapes and nectarines and enjoy vegetables such as baby corn and cauliflower. Salad is on the menu almost every day along with main meals such as spaghetti bolognese. A particular lunchtime favourite is soup. Children's preferences and individual needs and allergies are known and catered for, to promote their interest in healthy eating. The childminder has a good understanding of safe food handling having recently completed a course in hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The warm, welcoming and friendly nature of the childminder helps children settle in quickly and to feel at home. This promotes confidence in children helping them to gain self-assurance and independence. They are kept safe by the childminder's vigilance and regular risk assessments. The garden is fully fenced and there are locks on all sheds. Foxes are regular night visitors to the garden and care is taken to make sure any mess they leave is quickly cleared away.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The downstairs living space is well organised allowing free and safe movement in the room, as well as it being a suitable place for children to take rests or naps as necessary. Toys and equipment are well maintained and children benefit from having a good range of interesting, age-appropriate resources available to them. Toys conform to safety standards and are kept in good repair. Children only go in the kitchen for activities that are strictly supervised by the childminder such as for cooking activities. There is a lock on the chest freezer and cleaning fluids are kept at a high level or outside in the secured lean-to. Smoke alarms and fire fighting

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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 equipment such as a fire blanket and extinguisher and regular evacuation practice ensures risk of children being harmed by fire is minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being taken out regularly on trips including to the local library. The childminder checks new places to visit ahead of taking the children whenever possible and usually only goes to new places on recommendation that they are suitable from other childminders, parents or professionals. Unknown adults do not come into contact with children inside or outside the home. Children are within the childminder's sight at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected as the childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and knows who to contact with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children interact confidently with the childminder who has a close and caring relationship with children. The childminder provides a fair balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities, helping to foster children's all round development. She has a good understanding of how children gain skills and understanding through play and discusses progress with parents. Children's achievements are valued as they take home to parents what they have made that day, such as a sample of jam tarts. They are nurtured well and their individual needs taken into account.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are no formal plans or records of development for children, but the childminder is aware of individual children's strengths and interests and builds on this to extend children's development further. Sharing is encouraged and children are learning to wait their turn. They respect the right of others to be heard and cooperate with requests to help or to listen.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is developed through role play and dressing up as characters such as pirates. They have further opportunities for free expression using a variety of media such as play-doh, paints and sticking materials. Sand and water are available in the garden where their knowledge and understanding of nature is enhanced, as they recognise plums growing on trees and the places where ants live. Children appreciate that animals too feel pain and need attention as they explain that the family dog has had an operation and that a plaster is covering the stitches. Children go along to the vets with the dog and watch, as the stitches are removed and the dog is given a treat as a reward for being 'brave'. This experience is extended further as childminder and children set up a vets surgery at home, to imaginatively explore what goes on. This helps children broaden their vocabulary as well as having the opportunity to make sense of nature

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's practical solutions to learn about numbers by counting and ordering. She makes props to learning such as cut up recycled kitchen roll tubes that children paint and stick to a card base, as they compare sizes and use words such as bigger and biggest. Buttons and other everyday objects are sorted into groups by size and colour. These hands-on activities provide interest as children grasp mathematical concepts. Phonics and mark making skills are developing more slowly, although children are interested in finding letters on a keyboard to spell out their name.

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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. Children are valued and respected as individuals, their needs are well met and they follow their normal daily routines as discussed with parents. The childminder supports children with disabilities and has a sound understanding of a range of special needs. Children are encouraged to behave well as the childminder is calm and consistent; she praises children and gives stickers for good behaviour or for a good piece of work, which supports their self-esteem. Children respond to the childminder's expectations and are polite and say 'excuse me' when they want attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a small range of resources to reflect the wider world and to enable children to develop their understanding of others. These alone do not promote positive images of different cultures or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships between the childminder and the parents. Daily routines are shared to support consistency of care for the children and parents trust in the childminder's ability to support children's development across the different areas of learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are keen to attend and enjoy the attention they receive. They feel at home and at ease with the childminder and confidently ask for what they want. Space and resources are set out with children's interests and physical abilities in mind and they are familiar with the organisation of the toys and equipment. The childminder supervises them throughout the day safeguarding them from adults, that may not have been through the required vetting and checking processes.

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Organisation

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of parents' rights and her responsibilities. The complaints procedure has recently been updated for parents, but many other policies have not been reviewed for some time and some are missing. For example, there is no equal opportunities policy. The attendance register is completed and up to date but has insufficient details recorded. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has up to date public liability insurance as recommended at the last inspection.

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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. 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): • review, revise and implement policies in line with current regulations • improve layout and details recorded in register of attendance for children • provide a variety of play resources and activities that encourage children to explore culture, gender and disability issues

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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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