Banks, Kim Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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504217 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Caroline Preston 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and eleven years in Hornchurch in the London borough of Havering. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five all day and two children over five before and after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about hygiene. They are encouraged to wash their hands before and after eating, playing in the garden and after messy play. They confidently use the paper towel dispenser hung in the bathroom, they learn to take their shoes off before coming into the house. The childminder ensures her home is clean and tidy; therefore children are protected from infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, so is able to care for children if accidents occur. She has two first aid boxes, one kept inside the home and one for when children are

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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 taken out. The childminder also takes with her when out written contact numbers for all children. Therefore good procedures help keep the children safe. Children are offered a nutritious and healthy range of meals. The childminder has developed written menus which also show the nutritional value of each food. Menus include, pork chops, mash potato, salad, chicken chow mein, jacket potato, chilli con carne, sandwiches, fruit and vegetables. Therefore children learn about healthy foods and parents are well informed. The childminder has also completed food and hygiene training, this supports the care children receive.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills well. They use the attractive, safe and secure garden. Children have access to a slide, see-saw, trampoline, bikes, and scooters. Children exercise every day by walking to school and out into the local community. They learn about the weather changes as they walk in all weathers, appropriately dressed. Children access the large wooden play house in the garden and are able to choose from the many toys inside, this also supports their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a very good range of play resources that are easily accessible. Play resources include: dolls promoting differences; puzzles for younger and older children; a large selection of books; many different board games; a large train set with many trains; castle with animals; musical instruments from different countries; card games; large play kitchen with play food; pretend shop with till and credit cards; play dough and many tools; dressing up clothes. There is also a very large selection of art and craft materials, and puzzles. Outside in the garden is a large wooden house with large plastic drawers containing many more play resources, and outdoor play resources. Children can choose to play with the toys themselves and all are rotated by the childminder. This means children become independent and are always stimulated. The environment is child orientated, which is evident as soon as you walk through the door, children’s

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

work is displayed and play resources are stored safely and neatly in large plastic drawers next to the front door containing many creative play resources. Stored under the stairs in large plastic drawers are paints, pens, pencils, and art and craft resources, upstairs in the playroom is a large snooker table, and many more games. Children sit and use the child sized tables and chairs, therefore furniture is suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe due to the good range of safety requirements in place. Written risk assessments are carried out to ensure there are no safety hazards in the home. Children take part in and practise fire drills so learn to keep themselves safe. They learn when walking outside to stay in sight of the childminder, but still have freedom to walk to the next lamp post so are able to take small safe risks. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and has developed a well written policy shared with parents. She has all relevant contact numbers. This means she would support children’s safety and well-being if abuse was suspected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have many good opportunities to learn through play. They are confident when playing with the cash register and take part in role play, pretending to shop. Children develop their creative skills as they knead and roll play dough and make different shapes. They easily and skilfully construct a train set with support from the childminder. Children make salt dough

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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 candle holders for Diwali, they visit the local park and library. They visit local childminding groups, therefore make lots of new friends and are able to develop their social skills. Children make Halloween pictures; they learn to plant bulbs and watch them grow. They draw their hands, cut out the shape and cover with glitter; they dress up in many different costumes. They use books, paint and draw. Children take part in games, they create under the sea pictures, and they play outside using all the play resources. Children develop good relationships with the childminder, they are happy to see her, excited to play and write about the fun they have at the childminder’s house; therefore showing how they feel and expressing this by having opportunities to write about it. Children have won local competitions for drawing and writing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about their childminding day. Therefore children learn through the good activities offered to them on a daily basis, they develop confidence and self-esteem and show they are eager to learn and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about all kinds of people in society. They have daily access to a good range of play resources including people wearing leg braces, dolls that are deaf, musical instruments from all over the world, books titled all kinds of beliefs, all kinds of people, and all kinds of religions. Children play with finger puppets reflecting different cultured people, dressing up clothes, card games, and puzzles. Children celebrate different festivals including making tree decorations for Christmas, candle holders for Diwali, and glitter hand prints for Eid. There are good systems in place to support children with learning difficulties. All children behave well, and are taught respect for each other and the environment. The childminder uses explanation with older children and distraction with younger children. This means children know their boundaries, so feel safe and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. All parents are given informative well written information about the childminding service and policies and procedures. Parents are able to look through the photo album showing the various activities children take part in. This means they can see what their child does during the day and the learning that takes place. Daily information is exchanged between the parents and childminder; this ensures all children’s needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has begun to develop systems for recording children’s progress and achievements, however is still looking at ways to improve her current new systems. Children receive good care. The childminder is very well organised and provides children with a good range of play experiences and play resources that support their care and learning. All household members have been suitably checked, so are safe to be around children. The childminder continually improves her knowledge and understanding of childcare practice. She has completed level three of the Quality first training and she has completed food hygiene training. This means children are given improved care and learning experiences and the quality of childcare practice improves. All required documentation is in place which supports the childminding service. The childminder has also extended her polices and procedures to include lost or missing child policy,

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Organisation

equal opportunities, accident and emergency, activities and child protection. All of these are given to parents within the well written information pack. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to include the number of the regulator within the complaints procedure and to provide resources that promote diversity. Children have access to a good range of play resources that reflect positive images of all kinds of people and all details are within the well written complaints procedure. These improvements improve the quality of care children are offered.

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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 in order to meet the National Standards. 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): • continue to develop records of children's progress and achievements.

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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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