Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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132625 Unique Reference Number 22 October 2007 Inspection date S Campbell 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 1993. She lives with her husband who is also registered as her assistant and two adult daughters in East Ham in the London borough of Newham. Most areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 is currently caring for four children under eight years part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have one cat, tropical fish and goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where there are regular and suitable routines in place to minimise the spread of infection. From a young age children are encouraged to wash their hands before mealtimes; after visiting the toilet and after engaging in messy play activities. Children’s health is further promoted because with gentle reminders from the childminder they are encouraged to wipe their nose with a tissue.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are making satisfactory progress in their physical development. Children regularly go on outings to the local park where they are able to use fixed play equipment, which contributes to their good health. Children help themselves to drink throughout the day to ensure they are well hydrated. Children’s meals and snacks are provided by the childminder. Children are encouraged to make independent options from a range of fresh fruits and raw vegetables. This allows children to develop healthy eating practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder and participate in a range of activities. However, they have access to few resources to promote their interests, learning and all round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder creates a family like setting. The childminder feels it is important to ensure children are welcomed and are at home in their environment. As a result children are happy and secure. The childminder ensures children are closely supervised during the day to ensure they are safe. The named assistant also takes part in activities to minimise any potential dangers, such as supporting younger children when painting at the table. There are appropriate safety measures in place and during routine outings children are taught basic road safety awareness. However, written parental consent has not been obtained to take children out on public transport.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection and the procedures to follow should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children attend a variety of community groups, such as messy play and playgroup. This allows children to extend their creative skills and interact with others and their peers. The children are able to initiate their own learning interests. The childminder provides activities on request, such as a finger painting allowing children to extend their creative skills. They happily share with adults that they have painted the sun and some grass.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from close relationships with both the childminder and her assistant. They merrily dance to a musical toy and join in signing nursery rhymes with the childminder, such as ‘Wind the Bobbin Up’ and ‘Old McDonald had a Farm’.

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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 The children display enjoyment when helping the assistant clean the fish bowl. They count how many fishes they can see, and with close supervision they are encouraged to gently touch the fishes. The older children describe the fish as feeling smooth. Throughout the day the childminder attentively listens to children, asks open ended question and responds to children’s babbles, which encourages children to think and promote language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity and she currently supports children who speak a number of languages. She positively works in partnership with parents to obtain key words in children's first language to maintain communication and in turn children have taught the childminder a nursery rhyme in Italian. This allows children to have a sense of belonging and promote their self-esteem. However, the organisation of the day requires improvement to ensure resources that promote positive images are readily accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an inclusive setting and in the past has cared for children with additional needs. She works in partnership with parents to ensure children's needs are met within the setting. The childminder uses appropriate strategies when managing children's behaviour, which takes into account their level of understanding, for example distraction and simple explanations. Children receive consistent praise and encouragement, and as a result they are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is committed to working in partnership with parents from the onset. She offers a flexible setting in process and obtains verbal information about children's routine to promote continuity of care. Most written parental consent is in place, and the childminder regularly shares information with parents about children’s progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has maintained an up to date first aid certificate, and has successfully completed the Introduction; Developing and Extending Childminding Practice courses. She intends to attend a child protection and autism course to further extend her current child care practices. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

The children are at ease with the childminder, her assistant and in their environment. They are sufficiently supported during the day to ensure their needs are satisfactorily met. Subsequently, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Most required documentation is in place and stored confidentially, however, there are some written documents that have not been obtained from parents and the daily record of attendance is not always recorded promptly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to conduct regular risk assessments of the premises. The childminder now carries out visual risk assessments of the home on a regular basis and there are appropriate safety measures in place to maximise children’s safety.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any further 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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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): • obtain written parental consent to take children out on public transport • provide a suitable range of resources to meet the needs of all children • improve arrangements to ensure children have access to a range of resources that promote positive images of gender, disability, race, culture and religion • improve procedures to ensure children's attendance is recorded promptly

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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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