Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265693 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2007 Inspection date Shaheen Belai 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and eight years. The family live in Ilford, situated in the London borough of Redbridge. The whole of the ground floor and a bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a goldfish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home where routine practices contribute to the children's good health. For example, the childminder washes her hands immediately after changing young

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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 babies' nappies and encourages children to develop the practice of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children's good health is further supported as the childminder ensures parents are aware that children should not attend if they are unwell and infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This allows for children to receive appropriate care in the event of an accident. There are appropriate procedures in place to record accidents and medication, which are shared with parents to ensure continuity of care. The childminder has written consent from parents for seeking emergency assistance and details of long-term medication required. This contributes to the wellbeing and health of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy nutritious, balanced meals and snacks that help them understand which foods are good for them. Menus developed reflect a varied cultural diet, allowing for children to sample and develop tastes in food that is not the norm for them. The childminder has maintained appropriate documentation about dietary needs and feeding patterns of young babies, allowing for her to cater for their individual needs and preferences. She allows for parents to provide healthy and balanced food for their child and monitors all children's eating habits, which are shared with parents. This allows for continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of activities to promote their physical development. For example, having space to move freely indoors, playing with small balls, construction and going out to and from school. Though the childminder recognises the importance of children having regular fresh air and physical exercise, opportunities to have access to this on a regular basis is limited. This impacts on the health and development of young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play happily in a welcoming and well organised environment. Space is organised effectively to allow for children to move safely and freely exploring the home. Children have easy and free access to a good range of resources, most of which are stored at children height. They use a wide range of quality play materials and resources that are suitable and stimulating for their ages and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives priority to ensuring that safety is addressed within the areas used by children. For example, the use of a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs, locks fitted to kitchen cupboards storing toxic and sharp instruments and ensuring glass is made safe. This contributes to children being confident and at ease to move independently, freely and safely. Children's safety is further supported as they receive gentle reminders, such as not running indoors and why reins are used with young children when out in the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's wellbeing is promoted as the childminder is confident in recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse, and in following procedures in recording and reporting concerns. She has attended current training to ensure she is updated in her knowledge and has developed a policy to inform parents of her responsibility to protect children in her care. This supports the wellbeing of children whilst they are in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care and the home. The childminder is responsive of the needs of the children and provides lots of cuddles and re-assurance to them.

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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 Children have developed trusting and caring relationships with their carer and this is evident especially with young babies and toddlers, who seek her quickly when she is out of their sight. Children are given opportunities to explore and learn from the resources available. The childminder supports them in making choices that are reflective of their age and development, for example explaining to a young toddler that small threading shapes are not safe choice as they can cause choking. There is a good balance of adult directed and child initiated activities, though the childminder is vigilant at all times ensuring they are occupied in play and observing them. The childminder is able to recognise and respond to signals from children as to their needs. For example, children with limited language pointing to the play materials they wish to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play with. Children are able to participate in a range of activities that include small world, imaginative, creative, construction, puzzles and books for all ages. Children begin to develop a sense of rhythm and new vocabulary as they enjoy participating in songs and rhymes initiated by the childminder. The childminder talks to children clearly and at their own level as she engages in activities with the children. This ensures they are listened to and supported in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through well organised and planned activities which are reflective of the ages attending and the routine of attendance, children spend their time occupied and engaged in purposeful play. The childminder maintains a record of observations of each child in her care. This contributes to keeping parents informed of learning and monitoring progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity and this contributes to children being valued as individuals. She gains relevant information from parents to ensure each child receives the care required that contributes to their wellbeing and health needs. For example, following the daily routine established by parents for young babies and addressing the individual dietary and medical needs of children. The childminder has begun to develop a range of resources that allow for children to develop a positive attitude towards diversity, such as race and gender. However, the area of disability has not been included to promote positive imagery of the wider community. The childminder has attended current training in working with children with disabilities. This further acquired knowledge enables her to be confident in providing care for children of all abilities and levels of learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they benefit from the good levels of supervision, praise and recognition from the childminder. Appropriate strategies are used to manage any unacceptable behaviour and these are developed according to age and understanding of each child. For example, young toddlers are given a gentle explanation and distracted which allows for them to develop an early understanding of right and wrong. The childminder has established basic rules that are based on respecting others and their belongings and how to behave safely and socially.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with the parents. She works closely with the parents from the initial meeting to ensure all required information is acquired and recorded, this is further updated if changes occur. This allows for continuity of care. The childminder shares information on a regular basis both verbally and in the form of daily record sheets for young babies and toddlers. This allows for parents to receive information about children's health, wellbeing and progress in general. Parents receive a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures, which includes the complaints procedure. Written parental consent is sought and in place to ensure children's safety, such as for taking children's photo's and for taking

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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 them out on public transport. A number of parents have contributed their comments on the quality of service and care provided by the childminder, these are positive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. An effective routine ensures that children's individual care and learning needs a met. The organisation of the day ensures that children spend their time purposefully in play with a good level of adult support. The childminder ensures she works closely with the regulator to ensure her suitability is not undermined. For example, she informed Ofsted of her recent house move and ensured organisation and safety was fully addressed to allow for continuity of care for children already in her care. She continues to attend regular training via the local authority to update her knowledge. This enhances the care of the children she looks after.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed good record keeping systems and ensures relevant information is shared and updated with parents. All required records are in place in regards to children in her care and all adults in her household have undergone the required checks to assess their suitability. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: provide a first aid box, the contents of which are checked frequently; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity; develop and implement knowledge of child protection procedures; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has an easily accessible first aid box and is aware of the required contents that are to be stocked and replenished when required. She has began to develop resources to promote equality. However, the area of disability has not been included, this area continues to require improvement. The childminder attended a training course in the current year to develop her knowledge in child protection. The childminder has gained written consent from parents in regards to seeking emergency medical assistance and consent for taking children out on public transport.

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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): • develop and provide additional opportunities for children of all ages to participate in a range of activities to promote their physical development, both indoors and outdoors • provide a suitable range of resources that promote positive images of disability.

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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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