Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504365 Unique Reference Number 11 March 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 registered since 1981. She lives with her husband and adult daughter. They live in a house in Dagenham, which is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a short drive from Becontree Station.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. She currently has three children on roll. There were two children present during the inspection

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and a local childminder's group.

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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 are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene routines and they wash their hands before meal times, after visiting the toilet and prior to engaging in cooking activities. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because they each have their own individual towels on hooks behind the bathroom door and they are encouraged to wash their hands with liquid anti-bacterial hand soap. The childminder ensures that she sets the children a good example and they see her washing her hands prior to preparing food and after making nappy changes. The childminder uses songs with the older children to reinforce the importance of hand washing and they particularly enjoy singing 'as we send those germs down the drain'.

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Helping children to be healthy

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 wellbeing as there is a reduced risk of the spread of infection. The childminder is aware of appropriate exclusion times for children when they have a contagious illness and agrees all measures with parents prior to minding. The childminder is confident in her ability to deal with minor accidents or medical emergencies and has a current first aid certificate and a comprehensive first aid kit which is checked and restocked when appropriate. 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 they are shared with parents, through daily diaries and verbal

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Helping children to be healthy

feedback. 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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder carefully observes babies' and young children's sleep patterns and these observations form part of the children's daily diary report which she provides to all parents, ensuring that they are kept fully informed about their child's progress.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meals are provided by both parents and the childminder, for example, parents will bring Weetabix one week and the childminder will provide porridge so that children receive a choice. The childminder makes suitable arrangements to store and prepare all meals and snacks. She ensures surfaces are clean and checks the temperature of food before serving to the children. The childminder provides some snacks for the children, particularly after school, which include fruit, crackers and cheese, rice cakes and toast.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their large physical skills as they walk to and from school and to the local park and use the park facilities to climb over, under, and through, and run freely. Children also have access to the childminder's garden where they can play in the play house, ride on bikes or play with bats and balls.

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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 well secured and well maintained environment. The childminder provides an environment that is warm, friendly and homely. Children are at ease and well settled. Children are able to freely access the toys and resources available. Resources on offer are in good repair and the childminder regularly washes the toys to ensure that they are hygienic.

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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 They are stimulating, fun and provide sufficient challenge. The childminder rotates toys from the play room/conservatory once a week to maintain the children's interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are made safe around the home, as possible hazards have been minimised as the childminder carries out a visual risk assessment of her home on a daily basis. Effective fire safety precautions are implemented. These include having maintained smoke alarms on both levels of the home, an accessible fire blanket in the kitchen and the development of a clear fire evacuation procedure which is practised with the children on a regular basis to ensure it is effective in keeping them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare well and has all the required procedures and documents in place. However, the child protection policy does not include what the childminder must do if an allegation is made against her. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what procedures to take if she is concerned about a child's welfare. These are discussed with parents prior to minding to ensure that they are kept well informed.

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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 and their parents. She talks to the children enthusiastically whilst they play and they respond positively with lots of cuddles and hugs. Children clearly feel good about themselves as they receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. They show great interest in what they are doing as the activities provided by the childminder are varied and stimulating. For example, young children enjoy using a plastic screwdriver to take apart a purpose built train and really enjoy completing large handled puzzles with the childminder. They receive lots of attention and benefit from interaction from the childminder while they play. Younger children are starting to explore their surroundings and are able to choose toys independently from low level toy boxes set out.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a dedicated conservatory/play room, where the walls are adorned with the children's art work and which has lots of space for children to relax or engage in activities from a good selection of toys and resources. There is a large range of vehicles, soft toys, musical toys, dolls and books for children to play with, as well as a range of puzzles, board games and lots of arts and craft materials. Children particularly enjoy model making with play dough and plaster of Paris, painting and making collages. All children enjoy purposeful and exciting outings such as local parks, trips to the supermarket and farm yards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children gain a very good awareness of people from other cultures and with differing needs through the excellent range of resources which the childminder provides. They learn about other cultures and faiths through topics and take part in very interesting activities with the childminder at appropriate times of the year. For example, they make lights and read stories linked to the Jewish festival of Hanukah and make masks and mobile dragons when celebrating Chinese New Year. They are able to communicate their own needs in a very supportive environment.

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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 There are excellent systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and the childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude to meeting the needs of all children. Children's needs are very well met because the childminder has obtained comprehensive information from parents about each child's individual needs and backgrounds. For example, key words when looking after children who speak English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder uses extremely effective techniques, praise and encouragement to ensure that unwanted behaviour is kept to a minimum. She always ensures that she looks at children when she talks to them and does so by bending, crouching or sitting so that she is at their eye level. Children are developing independence within their daily routines and they make choices about what they play with and what they eat and drink, from a very early age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has fantastic relationships with parents. The childminder spends time at the end of each day sharing information about children's progress. The childminder provides a written daily diary for all children in her care, to include nappy changes, food eaten, accidents, incidents and activities taken part in, which ensures consistency for the children is maintained. The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed of their child's progress and development. Children regularly take home their creative creations and at the start of each year the childminder produces calendars for each parent using photographs of their children taking part in a range of activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The range and quality of activities and opportunities both indoors and outdoors is very good for all children. The setting is homely, welcoming and very well-organised to support children in their play. Appropriate storage of toys and play resources in low level boxes ensures that children of all ages become independent.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place to safeguard and support children's welfare and is stored securely and made available for inspection. All relevant information is shared with parents, thus maintaining good relationships. The childminder is aware that records must be maintained if complaints are received. The childminder efficiently 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 their child's activities and the service she provides. Daily routines contribute 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to increase activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, for example providing multi-cultural dressing up clothes. The childminder has purchased an excellent range of resources and activities from the internet, such as hand puppets, play food, small world dolls with disabilities, a fantastic range of dressing up clothes, puzzles and a large selection of books and posters, that reflect the diversity of the community. This ensures that children's awareness of similarities and differences are raised through their everyday play.

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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 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): • update the child protection policy to include what the childminder must do if an allegation is made against her

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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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