Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504325 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Amanda Gill 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 has been a registered childminder since 2001.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 13 years in a semi-detached house in a residential area of Dagenham East. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, Pondfield Park, Dagenham East Underground station and John Perry Primary School.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age. There are currently five children on roll. On the day of the inspection three children were present.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor area. There is a small enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the NCMA . She regularly meets up with other local childminders and takes the children out to various local facilities.

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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. The childminder provides children with a clean, hygienic and well organised environment in which they can play and learn. As play areas are clean and hygienically maintained they can be explored by children with little risk to their well being as there is a reduced risk of the spread of infection. The childminder has good written procedures in place for recording accidents and the administering of medication. Children's good health is promoted by the use of these written records especially in the way that it is shared with parents and used for purposes of risk assessments.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is further enhanced as the childminder has obtained written permission from parents to allow her to seek any emergency medical advice and treatment that may be required. The childminder also excludes infectious children from the setting and promotes effective good health practice as children wash their hands regularly and develop a good sense of staying healthy. The childminder is qualified to care for children well if they sustain a minor accident as she has a current first aid certificate and ensures that appropriate first aid equipment is readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a range of foods for children in her care so that they receive a healthy and varied diet, for example pasta, rice, sandwiches with a selection of fillings, shepherds pie and lots of vegetables. The childminder is happy to provide foods to meet children's individual dietary or religious needs and discusses these with parents on the initial visit to her home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs as the childminder has provided suitable places for them to sleep. A travel cot is available and older children are able to have a nap on the sofa in the lounge. Children have daily access to physical activities, as the childminder plans her day well. The childminder has a range of physical resources in the garden for the children to use. These include ride on toys, construction sets, aqua play sets, bats, balls, cones and push along toys

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and well maintained environment. The childminder has taken steps to minimise hazards around the home, for example, using equipment such as safety gates to manage younger children's access to the stairs and kitchen area and cupboard catchers are used to ensure cleaning materials and sharp objects are inaccessible to children. Children are aware of what to do in the event of a fire as the childminder has practised routes with the children and evaluates her procedure after every practise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of equipment and resources that are safe and well maintained. The childminder provides toys that are age appropriate and checks the durability of all toys and equipment to ensure no small parts can be pulled or broken off, which could cause a choking hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection policy and procedure. She recognises important signs and symptoms and is knowledgeable about how to proceed if she were to have concern's about a child's welfare. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare within the setting.

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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. Children develop confidence and self-esteem due to the secure and caring relationships the childminder has built with them. She talks to the children whilst they play, asking open ended questions, and they respond positively with lots of conversation. She interacts appropriately with the children in a kind and caring manner. Children are engaged during their time with the childminder as they arrive happy and quickly settle in to a chosen activity. The childminder gives constant attention to the children, asking them what they would like to do and what they'd like to eat or drink. The environment is very warm and relaxed and children are able to choose what and where they would like to play. These choices are fully supported by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to outside space during the warmer weather to allow them to have daily physical exercise and to give them the opportunity to explore their immediate surroundings. However, the childminder has risk assessed her garden as unsuitable at the moment and therefore uses the local parks for children to get daily fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the care of this childminder who has a warm and caring approach. Routines have been established which are consistent with home life. Children relate well to one another and become friends in the childminder's home. They are well supported by the childminder who encourages them to extend and develop their experiences by listening to them and talking with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children benefit because they are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. This is achieved through the positive and professional partnerships that the childminder has established with them. Children's individual needs are met as there is an effective verbal communication system in place. A daily diary is used for the younger children to enable the childminder to let parents know their child's daily routines, for example, what they have eaten, drinks taken, nappy changes, sleep patterns and activities. Parents value the service provided by the childminder and have access to a range of effective policies and procedures so that they have a good understanding of the childminder's work

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The atmosphere in the setting is happy and the behaviour is good. The childminder cares very well for the children and meets their needs in a supportive and stimulating play environment. The childminder gives the children high levels of attention and support so that the children feel secure and confident to work with her or play on their own. The relationship of mutual respect and trust is central to the good behaviour of the children who are showing an ever growing understanding of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individuality is respected because the childminder seeks information from parents about their needs and preferences, for example with regard to health, culture or diet. Children begin to recognise and respect diversity as they use resources such as dolls reflecting different skin tones, or celebrating different festivals such as the Hindu festival of Diwali. The childminder has limited resources that represent positive images of individuals with a disability but plans to increase these over time. The childminder uses inclusive practise and an appropriate Equal Opportunities policy to teach children about caring for one another and not discriminating against others. The childminder has experience of caring for children with a disability and/or

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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 learning difficulty and she demonstrates a positive and realistic attitude to meeting the needs of all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very motivated and committed childminder who is well qualified in the field of early years. Children are well supervised by the childminder who ensures only suitable people have contact with them. This contributes to keeping them safe. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of training that she requires to protect children that attend her home and demonstrates a working knowledge of the National Standards. She has made appropriate use of her home to provide maximum space for children to play and learn, including clearly defined storage areas for children's toys. The childminder makes use of local resources, for example, parks and the library to increase the range of opportunities she can offer to minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were made. The childminder was asked to ensure that local Child Protection referral procedures and contact numbers are readily available, to ensure that smoke alarms on all levels are maintained in working order and to make sure that BBQ and other potential hazards in the garden are inaccessible to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has copies of all relevant child protection contact and referral details, has plans in place to ensure that the smoke alarms are maintained and in working order and risk assesses her garden before children are allowed outside to play.

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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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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

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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): • consider increasing the range of images and resources that show positive images of individuals with a disability, to increase children's understanding of the diversity of our wider world

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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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