Redbridge Alternative Provision

Inspection report for early years provision

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134366 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Miriam Sheila Brown 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 1990. She lives in Witney with her husband and three children, all over the age of 15. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house, with the exception of the utility room, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a variety of animals including guinea pigs, chipmunks and a cat.

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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 currently has nine children on roll who are cared for at varying times throughout the week. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. Her home is within walking distance of a local park and a bus ride from the nearby town centre. She holds a Developing Childminding Practice certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children in the childminder's care learn the importance of good personal hygiene through hand washing or wiping routines that are encouraged at all appropriate times. Other aspects 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 personal hygiene are well supported, for example, nappy changing and use of potties. The childminder is booked to attend a first aid course to update her knowledge enabling her to support children if they have an accident or become unwell. Her approach to caring for children who are unwell is discussed with parents at the start of an arrangement. This also assists in keeping children healthy and free from cross infection. Family pets are cared for appropriately to ensure they are not a health risk to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children sit at the table for meals and snacks and the childminder encourages them to say 'please' and 'thank you' for things offered. However, there is scope to improve the presentation of meals and to develop social aspects of these occasions. Children's awareness of healthy eating is encouraged and supported wherever possible. Drinks are available throughout the day and specific dietary requirements are listed on children's detail sheets, helping to ensure that individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activity which helps to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Each day they enjoy walks in the local area, and if the weather is suitable they play in the back garden with a range of outdoor resources such as buggies, ropes and swing ball. Regular visits to the park provide good opportunities for more robust physical activity which assists in their large muscle development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. They learn about taking care of their toys and play spaces as they are encouraged, by the childminder, to assist in tidying away toys at varying times throughout the day. Children play in the ground floor rooms where they have good access to a range of toys and resources which are appropriate to their stage of development. These include construction toys, books, jigsaws, imaginary play, and art and craft equipment. The rear garden provides them with a safe, enclosed area for outside play. Toys and equipment are suitable for the ages of children cared for and the childminder rotates their use throughout the week to ensure children enjoy a range of experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder employs appropriate safety measures within the home. For example, main entrances to the house and garden are secure at all times, the garden pond is fully enclosed and children are supervised effectively. All dangerous substances are secure and socket covers are in place. The childminder demonstrates through discussion how she would manage an emergency evacuation and although this is discussed with older children, it has not been practised with them, to help ensure their safety in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Discussion with the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is clear about the procedures to use should she have concerns about a child in her care and to facilitate this has easily accessible information which includes relevant contact numbers. This, together with other safety measures, assists in children's welfare being effectively maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. She sets out a range of toys and resources each day and these are rotated to ensure a good balance of experiences for all children.

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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 Some form of craft is offered each day, for example, dough play, painting, or specific tasks such as making Easter cards. The childminder provides a good balance of free and adult-led play opportunities to extend children's knowledge and assist in their development. Whilst joining in with their imaginary play, she extends their knowledge of different foods by asking for and naming a variety of play foods and when children stand at the conservatory door 'to feed the (imaginary) ducks', she asks how many are there, effectively supporting their growing awareness of number. Plans are amended according to children's own spur-of-the-moment ideas for art and craft work. Throughout activities children learn about colour, number, shape and size as the childminder instinctively includes these aspects into their play. Older children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy a wide variety of age-appropriate games and many opportunities to discuss the things they have done at school during the day, helping to extend their knowledge and develop their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to share and take turns as they play, and are beginning to form positive relationships with each other. For example, one child referred to another as her 'brother'. They are clearly very at ease with the childminder, asking for assistance and including her in their play. Children enjoy drawing, colouring and craft work, using their imaginations to create pictures to take home. Their physical skills are enhanced by regular visits to the park and use of the garden to develop large muscle control, whilst small muscle control is developing and refining through play with small construction toys, craft tools, brushes and crayons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and their needs met effectively through the childminder's extensive childcare experience. They are assisted in developing a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding about the wider world through discussion and their play with a range of resources and toys. These include books and small world toys which are used as an integral part of their everyday play. The childminder is also in the process of putting packs together about different countries, for the older children in her care. All toys and resources are equally and easily accessible to all children. Their knowledge of the immediate community is enhanced through regular local walks, bus rides and shopping trips.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to think of others as they tidy their toys before moving on to another activity and are assisted in playing collaboratively, for example, making a pretend picnic on a rug in the sitting room. They listen to the childminder and follow instructions, for example, when getting ready for lunch. Positive behaviour is encouraged as children receive appropriate praise from the childminder and they enjoy her interest in their achievements. They are gently reminded if behaviour is inappropriate and clear explanations are given. Should this prove ineffectual a short 'time-out' is well managed and executed, helping children to learn to take control of their own behaviour. House rules are few and consistently applied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given clear verbal information about all aspects of care offered. The childminder works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are met appropriately and effectively. All parents have good opportunities to speak with the childminder at the end of the day. Children's personal details are regularly updated and confidentiality maintained. Letters from parents demonstrate their pleasure and support for all aspects of the childminder's practice.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The ground floor of her home is well organised, helping to ensure children feel at home and able to relax and enjoy their time. This contributes to their growing independence and makes it a safe place to try new things. The childminder plans her time well to provide all children with a balance of activities throughout the week. All those connected with the household have received suitable clearance and children are effectively supervised at all times. The childminder demonstrates her commitment to maintaining children's well-being by having completed both an introductory childminding course and a more in-depth childcare development course. Paper work is generally well maintained although the registration certificate and complaints information are not displayed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the first aid box was stocked in line with details provided by the training body. Good progress has been made in respect of this recommendation and the first aid box is now appropriately stocked. At the start of each childcare arrangement the childminder also seeks parents permission to use items such as sticking plasters. This helps to ensure individual needs are met.

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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 of 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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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): • display the registration certificate and complaints information poster • consider ways to improve the presentation of food and develop children's social experience at meal and snack times

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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 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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