Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504303 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2007 Inspection date Marilyn Peacock 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 1995. She lives with her partner and three children aged 16, 14 and 11 years in a semi detached house in a residential area of Dagenham. The home is within walking distance of a local school, shops and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the ground floor with sleep and toilet facilities in this area. Upstairs of the premises is used for younger children to sleep in a travel cot. There is also an enclosed garden for outdoor play. She is currently caring for four children including two babies under one year.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association, the local support childminding group and a member of the Teen parent childminding network for the Borough.

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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 good. Children's health is a priority to the childminder. She holds a valid first aid qualification, and maintains a well-stocked first aid box, enabling her to give the correct attention to children in the event of an accident. All parents have provided the childminder with written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment ensuring children are treated in line with parental wishes should they require emergency treatment. The childminder maintains a confidential record of any accidents that occur which are signed by the parents helping to keep them fully informed about their children's health. The childminder does administer medication to children who need medication while in her care. She obtains guidance on dosage, and written consent from parents before doing so.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are successfully met because the childminder gathers information from parents about their children's food preferences and takes this information into account when planning snacks. Parents provide all the children's main meals which are then stored in the refrigerator ready to be reheated at meal times. The childminder has obtained written consent to reheat food and discusses this regularly to ensure parental wishes are maintained. The childminder tries to ensure that the children have the important five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and displays this information for parents. Babies bottles are made up by parents and reheated by the childminder as required ensuring babies are appropriately fed and nourished.

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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 secure child friendly environment. The childminder has completed an adequate risk assessment. She has a good understanding of safety and reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that most areas of the environment in which children are cared for are safe and secure. Stair gates prevent children accessing areas which pose a risk, for example the kitchen and the stairs. However, risks have not been completely minimised in the outdoor play area and some dangerous substances are stored on the edge of the bath putting children’s safety at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very comprehensive range of play materials for children. She checks that these are safe and in a clean condition for children's use when selecting each day. Babies have access to a good range of suitable toys and equipment including soft toys books and baby gyms. The childminder has a travel cot for children to use should they need to sleep. However, parents prefer their children to sleep in their pushchair or bouncy chair. The childminder has obtained written consents for this to ensure children’s safety needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documentation is in place and the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures, ensuring children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. Children are adequately protected from abuse because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her responsibility to identify any signs or symptoms, which may indicate that a child is at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children and babies are well supported by the childminder who provides a broad range of activities to keep them happy and help them achieve. She has a clear understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and plans activities in line with the components of the framework. Bright coloured baby gyms and musical toys stimulate children's senses. The childminder shares a warm, close relationship with the children, she provides them with lots of close contact which they respond to with smiles and giggles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photographic evidence shows older children enjoy a broad range of creative activities. Children receive appropriate levels of assistance from the childminder, she helps with their number work and encourages children to practice their early writing skills. The children also benefit from activities outside the home as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as the library, trips to the shops and the childminder drop-in groups, to help widen children's experiences and give them opportunities to socialise with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards the care of children who have additional needs. She works closely with parents to identify how she could best meet the child's individual requirements. Children in the setting have a sense of belonging and feel secure because the childminder knows each child and their parents well and works to support them. Children share times of celebration, they talk about similarities and differences as part of planned activities. A good range of resources, books, games and puppets which promote equality and promote children's understanding of diversity are available each day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a positive and calm role model for children. Children are encouraged to show care and concern, they are helped to share and take turns. The childminder has a clear set of house rules which children know and comply with readily. Any signs of unacceptable behaviour are dealt with promptly by distraction and explanation as to why the behaviours are unacceptable. Children are encouraged to sit it out and think about their actions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a very strong working partnership with parents. All parents receive regular newsletters which keep them informed of all aspects of the childminder's care, this has been developed so that parents can take it away and read at their leisure. The parents of the youngest children that attend also receive a daily diary which details how their child has spent their day and their developmental progress. The childminder works very closely with parents helping them through the weaning process by providing leaflets and recipes. She agrees strategies when children are coming out of nappies to make the transition as smooth as possible. All contacts are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure all agreements are current and that children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to her continuing professional development she attends regular in-service training events to develop her childcare practices and keep herself fully aware of changing legislation. She uses her time and her resources well to meet the needs of the children in her care. The childminder has a caring approach to the children and knows them well,

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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 contributing to their sense of wellbeing. The children benefit from her continued support and the strong partnership with their parents which ensures their individual needs are extremely well supported.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed very detailed and comprehensive policies and procedures and these work very well in practice to positively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the records to be maintained in relation to childminding. All required records are in place and are very well organised. The childminder maintains individual children's records to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was also asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now devised a comprehensive file of activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice which the childminder implements to celebrate festivals and share cultural events. The childminder has also built up a broad range of toys, equipment and resources which show positive images of different cultures and promote equality. A detailed policy is now in place which provides full details of the procedure to follow if parents have cause to make a complaint. The policy is shared with parents when they register their child into the childminder's care, ensuring the parents are informed of the way to make a complaint and the name and address of the regulator.

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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.

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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):

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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 • assess the risks to children in relation to the outdoor play and to the dangerous substances stored in the bathroom and take action to minimise these.

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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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