Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269496 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Jane Davenport 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her 12 year old daughter and her 14 year old son in a house in the Chingford area of the London borough of Waltham Forest. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom/toilet and one bedroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight. There are currently no children on roll. The childminder has a pet dog and a cat. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs, dietary

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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 requirements and allergies. She describes how children would learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines and, for example, through discussions about washing their hands to prevent the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

She is able to demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of basic first aid procedures and has an appropriately maintained first aid supply. She has completed an approved training course in first aid for babies and young children, which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Accident and medication records are completed in a satisfactory manner and the childminder has written consents for medication and for emergency medical treatment in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussion and menu samples, the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. Children benefit from freshly prepared meals and snacks, including pasta, fresh fruit and yoghurt. The childminder has completed a food hygiene course and follows good hygiene practices when preparing and serving food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates, through discussion, how she uses the space she has available to its optimum effect. The premises are secure and well maintained and suitable for the purpose of childminding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children's free choice. They are sufficient in quantity and easily accessible in low level toy chests. The childminder explains how she selects them to be suitable for the ages and stages of development of the children who attend and how she regularly checks them, discarding and replacing those that are broken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in her home have generally been minimised so that children can play safely. However, she does not yet have a written emergency evacuation plan which she practises with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates that she has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures that she is able to recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child's best interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder clearly explains how she supports children's learning through a range of play experiences, both indoors and outside. The activities provide focus on all areas of the children's development and include various creative and imaginative opportunities, for example, as they paint, draw, re-enact familiar stories and dress up in various role play situations. She also demonstrates how she encourages children to socialise during outings to local play groups or the library and how this helps them to develop their understanding of sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She indicates that there are warm, caring relationships between her and the minded children and that children are happy and well settled within the setting.

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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 demonstrates that she has a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities. She explains how she finds out as much as she can about children's individual needs and how she treats them equally and with respect. She celebrates some of the different religious and cultural festivals with minded children and this, together with the fact that her resources reflect positive images of all aspects of society, means children learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows, through discussion, that she has some relevant experience and a positive attitude towards working with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. There are good systems in place to support these children and close liaison with parents and outside agencies would ensure all children's needs would be planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages, based on their level of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder explains that she has good relationships with parents. When minding, she gives daily feedback, to parents, both verbal and in writing, about their child's day, which helps provide children with consistent care between home and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Evidence suggests that the needs of all children would be met.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates through discussion that she understands the need for all adults in the household to be checked for suitability and she will ensure that this is done, for example, when her teenage son reaches the relevant age.

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Organisation

Evidence also shows that the childminder is generally well organised. For example, her records are all complete for the times that she has been minding. They are stored confidentially, all filed together, easily accessible and available for inspection. She is able to provide oral information and timetables which demonstrate how she organises her day effectively when children are present. This indicates that the day is well-planned allowing children time for quiet and active play. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, an action was set for the childminder to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. There is now a clear system in place to ensure that this is done, which has a positive impact on children's health and care within the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

On 12 October 2006 concerns were raised about communication with parents, child protection procedures and notification to Ofsted of significant events. These concerns related to National Standards 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers, 13: Child Protection and 14: Documentation. After liaison with other agencies, Ofsted conducted a visit to the provider on

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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 26 October 2006 to investigate these concerns. As a result of the visit, the provider was given actions under National Standard 13 to ensure any child protection concerns are recorded and reported to social services or the police, in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, and to Ofsted without delay; and under National Standard 14 to ensure an accurate daily record, including hours of attendance, is maintained for every child looked after on the premises. Recommendations were also made to the provider to improve her practice. These were to ensure details of any existing injuries, when a child arrives at the setting, are recorded accurately, and to develop knowledge and understanding of the signs of possible child abuse or neglect. A response was received from the provider on 22 November 2006

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Complaints since the last inspection

indicating that the National Standards were being met. The provider remained qualified for registration.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 practise a written emergency evacuation plan for the premises.

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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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