Williams, Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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504468 Unique Reference Number 07 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 1991. She lives with her husband and her son and daughter who are both adults. They live in a house in Dagenham which is within walking distance to the local shops, park and schools. Part of the ground floor area of the property 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 four children under the age of eight years. There are currently three children on roll, two of which are under eight years of age. There was one child present during the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have fish and two dogs as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean and organised home. The childminder follows effective cleaning routines which are completed everyday when the children are not there. Children are protected

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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 from the risk of cross infection because they are encouraged to wash their hands with antibacterial hand soap. For instance, before and after meals, cooking and after stroking or playing with the two family golden retrievers. The children have an excellent understanding of how to maintain their own good health to a high standard and are encouraged by the childminder to meet their personal care needs independently. For example, they fully understand why they must wash their hands and confidently tell the inspector that they count to five to make sure their hands are fully dry and know why this is necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

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 it is shared with parents, through individual daily verbal 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

Children benefit from the extremely healthy and nutritious diet provided by the childminder. Food provided includes tuna pasta, chicken and potatoes, beans on toast, shepherds pie, and a selection of vegetables, as well as fruit and healthy snacks at appropriate times. Drinks are made available throughout the day. Meal times are used as social occasions for the children to enjoy each other's company and discuss their day. The childminder is always careful to follow parental instructions with regards to what is made available and how much. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. Children benefit from opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and develop their physical skills. They have access to a secured garden where they enjoy bouncing on the trampoline, playing with balls, skipping ropes and riding bikes. They also take daily walks to and from school and make good use of the nearby parks.

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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 a safety gates to manage children's access to the stairs and the kitchen area where the dogs reside. 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

Space is well organised and enables children to move safely and freely whilst enjoying a number of activities. Children are provided with good quality toys and equipment which meet their developmental needs and interests. 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. Toys are effectively organised and stored on shelving or in boxes, enabling young children to easily identify toys and self-select. This encourages children to make choices, initiate their own play ideas, and be independent

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues. She has an appropriate understanding of the signs and symptoms and knows what action to take, if she has any concerns

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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 about a child in her care, however, there is no confidential system in place to record any concerns or existing injuries. Good systems are in place to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children, which ensures their safety is not compromised.

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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 conversation appropriate to their age and stage of development. 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, children enjoy playing games, building castles and completing puzzles with the childminder.

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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 through play by listening to them and talking with them. For instance, during a game of 'Big Deal', a cherry picking game, the childminder encourages children to use mathematical language and count the number of cherries to see whose pile is the biggest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond enthusiastically to the range of activities provided, such as games, puzzles, dressing up, Lego, trains, construction, and physical activities. There are lots of opportunities for children to be imaginative through arts and crafts and role play. Children also benefit greatly from opportunities to home bake on a weekly basis and enjoyed telling the unknown inspector about the pizzas and Easter nests they had recently made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel greatly valued because they are treated with lots of respect. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, the children talk about making chocolate Easter Nests and how they thoroughly enjoyed using chop sticks to eat rice and noodles when celebrating Chinese New Year. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest as well as routine outings to the toddler group and local parks. They have access to a selection of resources to help them learn about others in the community. This includes books and puzzles to reflect cultures and needs, and play food and cooking utensils from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are very good 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 well met because the childminder has obtained very good information from parents about each child's individual needs and backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately. The childminder acts as a good role model using positive language and displaying good manners. She uses strategies which are appropriate for their age and stage of development and discusses these with parents prior to minding. For example, she has introduced house rules and a 'do's and don'ts' chart and uses

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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 explanation and distraction to redirect their interests. This helps children to take responsibility for their own actions and see the effect they may have on others. As a result children are mostly well behaved and use good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the secure informal relationships between the childminder and their parents, enabling them to settle well and feel self assured. Detailed information is exchanged verbally. This includes what children have eaten, activities they have been involved in and outings. The childminder ensures parents are informed about what their child has been doing on a daily basis, providing continuity of care. Parents are made aware of the complaints procedure and they receive information from the childminder on how to make a complaint, including details of the regulator. This supports children's individual needs, ensures children receive consistent care, and helps them feel a sense of security and belonging.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very motivated and committed childminder in her safe and welcoming home. Children are well supervised by the childminder and 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

Documentation is in place to safeguard and support children's welfare which is inline with regulations. All information is stored securely and made available for inspection. The daily record of attendance is completed fully, although accurate arrival and departure times of children, are not always entered. All records which are required for the safe and effective management of the setting are maintained, well-organised and stored confidentially, thus ensuring that children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and implement a complaints procedure which includes contact details of the regulator, and ensure a consistent system is in place for the written parental agreement. The childminder has implemented a verbal complaints procedure with parents and they each receive a complaints slip with details of the regulator if they feel they wish to make a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to improve fire safety precautions by maintaining suitable smoke alarms on every level, obtain public liability insurance cover, and put in place safe storage system for garden tools. At inspection the alarms were tested on both levels of the property and were in good working order. Up to date Public Liability insurance is in place and all garden tools are safely stored in the locked garden shed. This ensures that the children's safety and well-being is maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to increase knowledge and understanding of equality, and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has made satisfactory progress in this area. The childminder has purchased a number of toys and resources that include a range

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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 of dolls from different cultures, puzzles, books and dressing up clothes. These resources are therefore helping children to learn about diversity, equality and differences in society.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, the childminder was also asked increase the opportunities for children to develop social and creative skills, and relate to other children and adults. All children have the opportunity to take part in daily arts and crafts activities which include clay, play dough, painting, drawing, gluing and sticking and take part in weekly cooking and role play activities. Children's social skills are enhanced at the childminder's when they play with other children who also attend and learn to share, take turns and interact socially with each other, particularly at meal times.

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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): • ensure attendance registers show accurate arrival and departure times for all children • consider developing a confidential system to record pre existing injuries or concerns

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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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