Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266822 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Toni Hanson 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 2003. She lives with her husband and nine year old daughter. The family live in a house in Gidea Park, Essex, which is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a main line train station. Although the whole house is registered, the ground floor only is used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. Children do not have access to the annexe where a lodger lives. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding seven children aged 10 to two years, all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from school. No children were present at the time of inspection. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean and well-organised. Areas where children can sleep, eat and play are hygienically maintained. For example, the childminder states that she cleanses food

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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 preparation areas before she cooks and demonstrates that she stores refrigerated foods safely. She explains that paper towels and anti-bacterial soap are provided for hand drying, to reduce the risk of cross infection. Although the childminder states that she has completed the required first aid training course, she is unable to find her certificate to evidence this. The childminder keeps two appropriately stocked first aid boxes. She states that she takes the smaller portable kit with her when she goes out with children, to ensure she is equipped to deal with an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of healthy eating for children and that she ensures food and drink for children are properly prepared, nutritious and meet their individual needs. She states that a typical after school menu consists of chopped apple and sultanas for snacks and meals such as shepherds pie with a choice of vegetables, made from fresh ingredients. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure that mealtimes are sociable and comfortable. The childminder states that children are offered drinks of squash and water regularly during the day to ensure they remain hydrated. Discussion shows that the childminder understands the importance of promoting children's physical good health. She states that children play outside with her garden play equipment in warmer weather and visit the local park in winter. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure children can rest or

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is welcoming and has all the facilities children need. There is ample room for children to play, a quiet place for them to rest and a comfortable area where they can eat meals. The furniture, equipment and toys provided are safe, in good condition and appropriate for the needs of children. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised. She takes precautions to prevent accidents, including fitting plug socket covers, a stair gate and providing a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms at both levels of the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Secure child protection procedures are in place to ensure that concerns about children's welfare would be dealt with appropriately. However, the childminder has failed to take sufficient steps to protect the children, as she has not ensured all adults over the age of 16 years living on the premises have undertaken appropriate checks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of how individual children develop and learn. She maintains a bright, welcoming, well organised play room where a broad range of toys, books and play materials are easily accessible to children. The childminder provides a wide range of activities suitable for school aged children. She states that they particularly enjoy creative experiences including drawing, painting, arts and crafts and using collage materials. Age appropriate computer games and board games are also provided. The childminder has recently begun to care for younger children and has started to obtain play resources suitable for this age group, such as books, puzzles and push-button activity toys.

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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. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. She states that she works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are known and met. For example, she demonstrates that she has experience of catering for children with food allergies and meeting children's health requirements. A small range of toys and books are provided for children that reflect positive images of the wider world, including a doll, small world people and puppets. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a willingness and commitment to working with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way which promotes their welfare and development. She has a secure understanding of the need to develop a strong partnership with parents, taking into account their differing needs. She states that when minding she exchanges information about children's care and progress with them each day. A suitable system is in place to ensure complaints or concerns raised by parents would be dealt with appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder understands the importance of organising space within her home and her resources to best meet the needs of the children in her care. Her home is welcoming, safe and secure. Children are not fully protected however, as the childminder has not ensured that other people living at the premises are suitable to be in contact with children.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates that she has a secure understanding of child development and provides a satisfactory range of play experiences for children, although too few activities allow children to explore the wider world. Most of the required documentation, necessary for the safe management of the childminder's service, is efficiently maintained, well organised, up to date and stored securely. Overall, evidence suggests that the provider 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, the childminder agreed to complete a first aid course and improve safety within her home and hand washing arrangements for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although the childminder states she has attended a first aid course, she is unable to find her certificate. She has however, booked a place on another course in February to update her first aid skills. Safety arrangements for children have improved. For example, smoke detectors are now installed at both levels of the house, so the childminder can be alerted and children evacuated quickly in an emergency. Disposable paper towels are now provided for hand drying, which reduces the risk of cross infection and helps to protect children's health.

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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 to meet the National Standards. The provider is required

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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 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): • ensure that other people living on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children • further improve the range of play activities provided for children aged under three years • further improve children's access to resources and activities that help them develop a positive attitude towards diversity and the wider world • make sure that a current, appropriate first aid certificate is maintained and available for inspection at all times.

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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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