Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258809 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Toni Hanson 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 May 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years. The family live in a house in Harold Wood, Essex, which is within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks and a main line train station. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom only are used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The family has a dog and three guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four minded children at any one time and is currently minding six children aged two to eight years. All attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks children to and from school. She takes children to a local pre-school on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the Havering Childminding Network.

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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 benefit as they are cared for in a clean, welcoming childminding home. Their good health is promoted effectively. The childminder has attended relevant paediatric first aid training, to ensure her knowledge of first aid procedures is up-to-date. She maintains a well stocked first aid box and keeps a list of the expiry dates of its contents, so that these can be replaced as necessary. These procedures ensure accidents are dealt with appropriately. A good standard of hygiene and cleanliness is maintained where children eat, rest and play. Floors are hovered every day before children arrive and kitchen surfaces cleansed with an anti-bacterial cleaning solution. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene. They use paper towels for hand drying to reduce the risk of cross-infection and know why it is important to wash their hands with soap and water after stroking the childminder's dog. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

displays a poster in the bathroom to remind children to wash their hands after using the toilet and learn about person care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Menus provided for children are balanced and contain healthy options. For example, at lunchtime children are offered a choice of fresh fruit, chopped cucumber, sandwiches, crisps and a chocolate biscuit. Trips to the shops to buy fruits for snacks and regular cooking activities are used effectively to promote children's understanding of a healthy diet. Children are provided with their own easily identifiable cups, these are readily available to them at all times and the contents replenished regularly. This enables them to access drinks as they need or want them. Children have daily opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air, be active and further develop their physical skills. They go for dog walks, walk to and from school and visit the local park regularly where they play on the swings, slides and other physical play equipment provided there. Children have access to a good selection of outdoor play equipment in the childminder's garden, such

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Helping children to be healthy

as trikes, bikes and scooters. Older children enjoy bouncing on the giant trampoline. Suitable arrangements are in place to allow children to sleep or rest comfortably when they need to. The childminder organises a quiet, relaxing period for children after lunch, when they look at books, complete puzzles or play board games.

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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 and safe environment. The childminder's good supervision of children and her daily safety checks enable children to move confidently and safely around her home. Space is well-organised. Children have sufficient room to play, a quiet area to rest and a comfortable place to enjoy meals. Appropriate safety measures are in place to protect children, these include cupboard locks, socket covers, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder has devised a formal, written risk assessment form that she uses every six months to carry out a thorough safety assessment of her home. A very recent move of computer equipment in the childminder's home means that a wire on the stairs is a temporary tripping hazard. Children have easy access to a wide range of age appropriate, safe and suitable play equipment. The childminder checks these regularly to make sure that they remain safe and in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they respond to gentle reminders not to play in the kitchen and to sit on chairs carefully. Procedures to keep children safe on trips and outings are very good. Younger children are secured appropriately in a buggy fitted with a five point

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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 safety harness. They wear wrist bands detailing the childminder's mobile phone number when they go out. Children are provided with child size, high visibility vests that they wear when visiting the park, ensuing the childminder can easily see and identify them. Older children learn about road safety as they walk to and from school. Suitable child protection procedures are in place to protect children and ensure concerns about their welfare are dealt with appropriately. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities, knows what do if she suspects abuse and ensures all adults living in her home are vetted appropriately. She is due to attend child protection refresher training shortly to keep her knowledge and skills current.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy the good range of play opportunities the childminder provides. Most children are settled into the childminder care gradually to ensure they and their family get to know her well before the placement begins. This and the childminder's warm, caring manner helps children to feel secure. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted well. The childminder ensures children have frequent opportunities to make choices and develop personal independence. They confidently choose toys and activities and decide which fruits they would like to eat at lunchtime.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans and provides a wide range of enjoyable play experiences for children. They have the use of a bright, welcoming playroom, this has direct access to the garden and outdoor play equipment. Children are highly imaginative. They put their dolls, 'babies' in buggies and take them for walks around the lounge. Children decide the small table in the conservatory is a bus and they are the bus drivers. They keep going back to the childminder to count out pretend money and collect tickets. The childminder enthusiastically joins in the children's play, encouraging them to express themselves imaginatively. Children have a fabulous time engaging in this experience and lots of learning takes place. Children have daily opportunities to enjoy arts and crafts as they draw, paint and make models with play dough. Regular cooking activities include making pizzas and their own sandwiches for lunch. The childminder reads to children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

every day to develop their interest in books and stories. Children enjoy looking at books independently and know they must handle these and with care and turn the pages carefully.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses discussion about everyday experiences well to develop children's learning. Posters displayed in the playroom lead to discussions about letters, numbers and different parts of the body. The childminder helps children to learn to recognise and name basic numbers as they complete number puzzles. They develop their understanding of shapes and size as they fit pieces of the train track together to make a track for their trains to journey along. Children are engaged purposefully throughout their time with the childminder and have good opportunities to have fun, learn and develop new skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, are confident in the childminder's care and have good opportunities to learn about the wider world. They have access to a wide range of play resources designed to develop their understanding of diversity, these include puzzles, skin tone crayons, world music CD's, dolls and books. The childminder organises interesting activities for children to promote their interest in other lifestyles and cultures. They talk about different celebratory festivals and traditional Indian sweets for Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. Children

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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 explore their community as they go for walks, bus and train rides and visit the park. Children enjoy outings further afield for special days out. They go bowling, visit a soft play centre and attend the 'stories, spells and smoothies' session organised by the local library at Halloween. Children learn to take care of other living things as they help the childminder feed and fill the water bowl for hermit crabs kept in a tank in the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive good support to help them feel secure and at home. The childminder is a positive role model, treating children with affection and respect. Young children have close, trusting relationships with the childminder, they approach her readily for cuddles and reassurance. Positive techniques are used effectively to encourage children to behave well, for example, children are praised for saying 'please' and 'thank you' and when they show care and concern for others. The childminder has realistic expectations for young children's behaviour and supports them well as they learn to share and take turns. An effective partnership between the childminder and parents ensures children's care is consistent. The childminder makes parents welcome in her home, shares information and discusses the children's care with them each day. She keeps a daily journal of children's achievements. These contain information and photos

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that are shared with parents to keep them informed about children's progress. Parents are extremely well informed about the service the childminder provides, as they are supplied with a comprehensive pack of information. This contains all her written polices and procedures and useful information such as sample menus and the daily play programme. Financial and care arrangements are agreed and confirmed through the use of written contracts.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to further developing her childcare knowledge and skills and improving outcomes for children. She regularly attends training courses and workshops to help her achieve this, including a British Sign Language (BSL) course, portfolio building training and a messy play workshop. Children confidently make themselves at home in the welcoming, well-organised childminding environment. Their health is promoted well and good systems are in place to safeguard children. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of child development and the interesting, fun play opportunities she provides. The childminder is keen to work in partnership with parents to provide continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

The childminder's vetting procedures ensure that all adults living in her home are suitable to have access to children. She has a secure understanding of the National Standards for childminding and her responsibility to comply with these to provide good quality childcare. All the required documentation is efficiently maintained, up-to-date and stored securely. This supports children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, safety arrangements for children have improved. Fencing that had been damaged by high winds has been replaced, ensuring the garden remains a safe and secure place for children 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 to meet the National Standards. The provider is required

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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 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): • assess the risks to children in relation to a loose wire on the stairway 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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