Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY267404 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Rufia Uddin 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 in a house in a quiet residential area close to the local schools, and within walking distance of the local shops and park, in Plaistow in the London borough of Newham. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden which is used for outside play.

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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 can have a maximum of eleven children when working with assistants. Currently there are eleven children on roll. The childminder and her assistants walk to the local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean and tidy environment, and from an early age they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. Hand washing and nappy changing routines are effective in helping prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is aware of

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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 procedures to follow should a child become ill in her care. Systems are in place for the recording of accidents and these are shared with parents. She records accidents appropriately and parents give prior written consent to administer medication, which ensures that children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a first aid box. However, children's health is not assured in an emergency situation because the childminder does not obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and enjoy being active. Children's individual dietary requirements are known, discussed with parents, and adhered to. Menus are varied, well-balanced and nutritious and healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals and wholemeal bread are included. Children learn to feed themselves, which helps encourage their independence, and they are beginning to develop their own preferences and make choices. Children have access to drinks of water during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder makes good use of the garden enabling children to use equipment, such as bikes, bats and balls, and engage in water and sand play developing their co-ordination. Children dance and sing and take part in action rhymes to music in the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit because the childminder's home is safe and secure allowing them to freely move around the play areas used in safety. Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure home where most risks are identified and minimised. The childminder's daily checks of her home and her good supervision of children help to ensure they are protected from harm. The home is attractively presented and posters and pictures are displayed. Children develop their independence making choices about what they want to play with from a good range of play provisions, which are stored in low level boxes and on open shelving units.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate safety measures are in place to protect children, including stair gates, cupboard locks and plug socket covers. Appropriate fire safety equipment, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are available. The childminder has a suitable emergency evacuation plan in place and she has practised fire drills with children to help them understand what they should do in an emergency. However there is no lock on the shed door in the garden to prevent children entering an area which has not been prepared as a safe environment. However, supervision of the children minimises the impact on their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and wellbeing are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection recording and reporting procedures. She understands the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare, to make sure they get the help and support they need.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They enjoy a warm interaction with the childminder and her assistants and have the opportunity to socialise with other children. They are well motivated and concentrate well at chosen activities. The environment is organised in such a way that children can choose between a variety of interesting play and learning resources

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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 and activities, which includes books, puzzles, games, dolls, musical instruments, and construction materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show good levels of engagement, concentration and enjoyment. Children pursue their imaginative and creative ideas through a range of media, including paints, printing materials, sticking, cutting, and also cooking. Children under three explore and experiment through a range of well-planned activities that are stimulating, easily accessible and appropriate for their stage of development. The childminder's planning is good and is linked to the Birth to three matters framework. Children develop their senses using a range of play equipment, for example as they feel a range of textures on the rattles and in books, and by listening to sounds and watching the lights flash. Children enjoy opportunities to be imaginative and creative using a range of equipment such as dolls and cars to express their ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to make themselves understood through language and actions. This is supported by the childminder and her assistants speaking to children, listening and acknowledging what they are saying, narrating activities and encouraging them to say new words. Open ended questions encourage the children to think for themselves and solve problems. They enjoy books and listen to stories, and well selected books help them to explore their feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are met appropriately as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their normal daily routines of eating, sleeping and playing are followed. They have equal opportunity of access to a wide range of age appropriate resources. They play alongside each other and behave well as they are well occupied. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and involves herself with play acting as a positive role model with regard to manners. Communication with parents and children speaking English as an additional language is helped by the childminder understanding of a range of community languages. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and promoting an inclusive environment so that all children can play happily together. Children behave well because the childminder has a gentle and consistent approach

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to behaviour management that takes account of their age and stage of development. Children learn to respect others as the childminder encourages them through examples of positive behaviour and gives praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and supportive and parents are happy with the care provided. Children benefit from 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 their child has been involved in on a daily basis. The childminder informs parents about how to complain and to whom, and she has developed a written procedure to inform parents in line with regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good quality care from the childminder. She is well organised and provides children with a range of play and learning experiences. Children benefit because the childminder is well organised and plans each day according to the needs of the individual children in her care. The childminder uses satisfactory recruitment procedures which ensure that assistants

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are appropriately skilled and vetted. She has completed a number of courses to develop knowledge and skills regarding childcare and has encouraged assistants to attend relevant courses. The childminder is committed to attending further childcare and development courses. This will help her to reflect, monitor and improve the current good quality of care and education offered to children.

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Organisation

The childminder uses a range of written records which are organised and appropriately stored with an awareness of confidentiality. They are generally effective in supporting the childminding business but aspects have been overlooked as there is no written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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

In the last inspection the childminder was asked to conduct regular safety checks of the premises and obtain public liability insurance, develop knowledge and understanding of what to do if child protection allegations are made against herself or assistants, make sure good hygiene practices are in place to limit the risk of cross infection, make sure storage arrangements for children's records maintain confidentiality, and plan and provide a suitable range of toys and activities to meet the developmental needs of children from 0 to under eight years, which should include resources that promote diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now carries out a regular risk assessment and has obtained public liability insurance. She has attended child protection training and has knowledge of what to do in the event of allegations being made. Items like bottles and cups are now labelled to minimise the risk of cross infection. Records are now locked away to maintain confidentiality. The childminder now has a plan of activities which is suitable for children and includes some resources that promote positive images of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been a complaints made to Ofsted. Concerns were received that the childminder was exceeding her registered numbers, that children were cared for by a minor, that a child was not fed appropriately and that a child was made to wear a nappy when the child was potty trained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

These concerns related to National Standard 1: Suitable Person, National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 3: Care, Learning and Play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit on 19 July 2007 and found that the childminder was exceeding her registered numbers. A letter was issued to the childminder to remind her that she must not exceed the number of children she is registered to care for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

During the visit there was no evidence that children were fed inappropriately, that children were forced to wear nappies when potty trained, or that a minor was caring for children and Ofsted took no further action in this matter.

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Complaints since the last inspection

However, from the visit it was found that parental consents were not in place for assistants to be in sole charge of minded children and that a record of adults on the premises was not kept.

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Complaints since the last inspection

As a result, the following actions were set:

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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 - obtain written consent from parents, that at times agreed and confirmed in writing, an assistant may be left in sole charge of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

- maintain accurate records of all adults present on the premises when children are being cared for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A response to the actions was received on 23 August 2007 and Ofsted was satisfied that the childminder was meeting the National Standards. Ofsted took no further action and the childminder remained qualified for registration.

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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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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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • continue to improve existing safety procedures by ensuring that the shed in the garden is inaccessible to children.

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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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