Hodgson School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119713 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2007 Inspection date Marcia Robinson 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 satisfactory. 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 1998. She lives with her husband, two adult-aged, nine and fourteen year old children. The family live in a three bedroom school house which is located in the grounds of Marner Primary School in the area of Bow in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The whole house is used for minding purposes, although minded children only go upstairs for their sleep. The toilet and bathroom are located on the ground floor. There is access to the school playground and a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding two children, one aged nineteen months who attends full time and the other child is aged three years who attends on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and cared for in a very clean and well maintained home, promoting their health and welfare. Children's health is well maintained by the systems for nappy changing and

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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 preparing food, which are thorough and ensures that the risk of infection or cross contamination is rare. Sick or infectious children are excluded and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Children are developing good personal hygiene habits, because they are supported and encouraged to wash their hands regularly, knowing that it stops germs from spreading. Children's individual requirements are met, because the childminder has good systems in place to gather information from parents regarding any medical or dietary needs. Parents provide their children with a range of healthy meals, which are appropriately stored and heated by the childminder. This is complimented by the childminder who makes agreements with parents to provide a healthy range of snacks and drinks, consisting of yogurts, hummus and pitta bread,

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Helping children to be healthy

raisins, a selection of fresh fruit and water or diluted juice to drink. Children are learning about the benefits of a healthy diet through positive, appropriate discussions with the childminder. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise as they make good use of the patio garden, local parks and have access to a school playground where they gain daily opportunities for physical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy an organised home where they play freely. The home is secure, because the front and rear doors are kept locked to prevent any unauthorised entry. Children use a range of safe toys, furniture and equipment to meet their needs, such as a child sized bench and cot. Children enjoy good levels of supervision as the playing areas and bathroom facilities are all situated on the ground floor. The home is generally safe with a number of safety measures in place, such as a safety gate fitted at the bottom of the stairs, window locks and plug socket covers are fitted to electrical sockets. However, children are not fully protected from hazards because low level glass inside a side cabinet is accessible to children. Children know how to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency as the required fire safety equipment is in place and evacuation procedures are practised and clear records are maintained. Children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

learning how to stay safe when out walking and using public transport, because the childminder uses appropriate safety restraints such as car seats and safety harnesses for buggies. In addition, the childminder ensures children are never left unattended on outings or in a vehicle, although she is yet to obtain written parental consent for transporting children by car. However, when walking, the childminder teaches children about the green cross code so they know to wait for the green man and look both ways when crossing the road, thus promoting their safety. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and has attended training this year, so she is confident of the procedures to follow and is aware of her duty to protect children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and confident, they are developing good self esteem because the childminder routinely praises them for their efforts and achievements and responds to their needs very well. Overall, they have access to a good balance of activities both in and outside the home, helping them to make sound progress in all areas of their development. This is because, the childminder uses local book and toy libraries to extend on the variety of resources available within the home. The childminder's range of resources is satisfactory, but the variety of imaginative play materials, for instance, is limited. Children do however, enjoy trips to the local book library and daily visits to local playgroups, where they can participate in a range of activities and they also gain plenty of opportunity to mix and socialise with other children, thus developing their confidence and social skills. Children have sufficient opportunities for developing their creative skills, as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 regularly take part in painting and sticking activities from the well stocked art and craft box available in the home. Children engage in a range of free play activities, including drawing, writing, puzzles and they enjoy listening to stories. The childminder extends activities, for instance, when visiting Newham farm, where the children are able to look and talk about a range of different animals, enjoying stories such as "Dear Zoo", being read to them to build on their creativity and increase their knowledge of the natural world. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of how children learn and develop, she has attended Birth to three training and is continuing to develop her knowledge so as to put the framework into practise. She understands how to support children in their play as she talks, listens and is always

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sitting at their level and giving them lots of close contact and encouragement. Children's independence is nurtured, an example of this is where the childminder encourages young children to have free access to their cups of drink and they are able to feed themselves, so they can develop their self help skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works in close partnership with parents so that the individual needs of children are met. Daily discussions are held with parents so that they are aware of their child's progress and development. A range of written policies and procedures about sick children and how to make a complaint for example, are available to parents so that they know what to expect from the childminding service. Children are treated with equal concern and are respected and valued. This helps to develop their self-esteem and promote a positive self-image. The childminder has a good approach to working with children with additional needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment. Resources reflecting diversity are few. However, the childminder ensures that children experience opportunities to develop a positive attitude towards others, when attending drop in groups or the library. The childminder ensures that consistent boundaries

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are in place; she uses a range of appropriate behaviour management strategies, such as distraction, clear explanations and lots of praise. This helps children feel secure in their environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's health and wellbeing is fully promoted through a range of effective systems, such as the childminder who holds a valid first aid certificate and who has all the necessary health records in place. Children's safety is mostly ensured as space is utilised effectively to meet children's play and learning needs; their welfare is safeguarded and they enjoy good levels of supervision. However, children are not fully protected from hazards such as low level glass. The childminder also lacks a full understanding of the correct procedures to follow, to ensure the requirement is met with regards to the suitability of all adults living in the household. As a result, children's safety and welfare is not fully promoted. Children's care, learning and play needs are met well by the childminder who offers children good support and provides them with an appropriate range of resources to meet their needs. The childminder keeps parents

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Organisation

well informed about their children's progress through daily feed back. This provides additional reassurance to parents that children's progress and wellbeing is being monitored. The childminder is well organised, she has a routine that works well with children's interests as priority. She also ensures that all the required documentation is maintained to a good standard, which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing. Children benefit as the childminder shows a commitment towards updating and improving her knowledge. For example, she has a current

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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 first aid certificate. She has also attended training relating to the Missing Children's Register and the Common Assessment Framework, Early Years Foundation Stage and Birth to three matters. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete CRB forms for all adult household members. She now has disclosure results for most adult members but is still awaiting the return of one disclosure, therefore a recommendation has been raised as a result of this inspection.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • make low level glass safe or inaccessible to children and obtain parental consent for travelling children by car • continue to develop the variety of play materials available in the home • ensure that persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check.

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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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