Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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153661 Unique Reference Number 28 January 2008 Inspection date Greg Wolff 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 outstanding. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters in Highams Park, London. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet corn snake and a cockatiel.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five part time. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. The childminder attends a number of local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through very well reinforced daily routines. From an early age, the childminder talks to them about why things are healthy and good for them and sets an excellent example for them to follow. She explains to them, in appropriate language, why it is so important to wash and dry their hands and encourages them to be a part

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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 of this process as they design and display reminder posters in the toilet and bathroom. They also use individual hand towels which are colour coded and hung on hooks, both upstairs and downstairs, with their own pictures to increase their sense of ownership.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from an extremely healthy diet which is provided by the childminder. Children and parents are provided with a detailed menu showing the foods that the childminder has chosen and this can be discussed to ensure that any personal likes or dislikes are taken into account. This allows them to feel involved and increases children's independence. Food provided includes pies, meat, fish and vegetables as well as fruit and healthy snacks at appropriate times. Drinks are made available throughout the day and the childminder is always mindful of following 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. Children are educated about the sorts of foods that are good and bad for them within fun and exciting themed activities which the childminder plans on a regular

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the required signatures of consent from parents for giving prescribed medication and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. She has completed the accident book in detail when appropriate and parents are always shown these entries to ensure that children's welfare is well maintained. She has completed appropriate First Aid training which ensures that children can be well cared for in case of accidents or emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children are all able to rest and be active, according to their needs, in the home, the garden and on a wide variety of interesting and exciting outings. The childminder ensures that they take regular walks in the fresh air and take part in activities linked to a variety of health issues such as healthy eating, keeping clean and staying fit. She provides an extremely wide range of exciting outdoor play equipment including a play house, swing and trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is very aware of the need to ensure children's safety. A detailed written risk assessment is carried out regularly and ensures that there are no hazards in the home or garden. It is updated as required if circumstances change or if evaluations have led to changes in practice. She also completes written risk assessments of venues for outings in order that children remain safe. She carries all signatures of parental consent with her, and photographs of the children so that they can easily be identified in case of any emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an extremely wide range of safe and developmentally suitable resources which are well organised and easily accessible to encourage independence. The childminder reinforces safe practices to the children, for example, by explaining to them using appropriate language when they are doing something potentially dangerous like leaving toys on the floor. This helps children to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very detailed emergency evacuation plan in place which was drawn up in conjunction with the children attending and a local fire officer who was invited to talk to the children at the setting. This is discussed with all children attending and evacuations are practised regularly. These take place at different times to ensure that children are all aware of what to do in case of an emergency. Evaluations of every practice are written and used to ensure that children are all aware of how and why they must leave the premises in case of emergency.

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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 Children are very well protected. The childminder is extremely aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns. 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 outstanding. Children develop extremely close and caring relationships with the childminder and her family. Children's vocabulary and language develop exceptionally well through continuous interaction; the childminder uses open-ended questions and takes an interest in what children have to say, maintaining eye contact with them and answering them fully at all times. She also provides a number of word cards which are stuck round the play area and are linked to current themes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make excellent progress when they attend the childminder's. She uses appropriate Early Years documents such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework when she looks after children of that age and ensures that children's progress is monitored in detail at all times. Children enjoy purposeful and exciting outings within the time they spend in the childminder's care, such as to the local parks, the library and other places of local interest. Regular detailed observations on all the children that she cares for enable her to plan exciting and relevant activities, though she is also happy for children to take the lead and suggest activities and topics such as 'construction' and 'princesses'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

By using resources from outside of her home, such as the local toy library and other childminders, the childminder ensures that there are always a very wide range of new activities and games for children to take part in and this ensures that their interest is always high.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond extremely enthusiastically to the vast range of activities provided, such as books, games, small world toys and arts and craft equipment. The childminder is very aware of children's likes and dislikes and ensures that children are kept stimulated and interested in the things around them every day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's behaviour is extremely good. The childminder uses highly 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 from a very early age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain a very good awareness of people from other cultures and with differing needs through the wide range of resources and activities which the childminder provides. They learn about other cultures and faiths through planned topics and take part in very interesting activities with the childminder at appropriate times of the year. For example, they try a range of different Chinese foods to celebrate the 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

None of the children currently attending have particular needs, but the childminder is aware of the issues that may be involved if they did, and the implications for their care and that of

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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 other minded children. She has copies of all the appropriate guidance and is aware of how this is used and what her responsibilities are.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are met. She offers parents extensive feedback and they are keen to support her in the care she gives their children. Parents speak highly of her attentiveness, the knowledge she has of their children and her attention to detail. Daily diaries are passed between the childminder and the children's home so that a constant flow of information regarding the children is available. Parents are invited into the setting to take part in specific activities and they also attend regular meetings with the childminder to discuss their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The range and quality of activities and opportunities both indoors and outdoors is exceptional 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 ensures that children of all ages become highly independent.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised and scrupulously kept up to date. It is stored appropriately and with confidentiality in mind. The daily attendance register is suitably completed meaning that children's welfare is maintained at all times. Visitors to the setting are asked for identification and sign in and out in a visitors book and are not left alone with minded children at any time. In these ways, children are extremely well safeguarded and parents can be sure that their children are always protected whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed appropriate first aid training and has attended an extensive number of other relevant courses such as safeguarding children and tactile play. She has also attended further specific training to ensure that she is up-to-date with current legislation and methods of working such as, how to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework and an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This ensures that children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is up to date with her knowledge of current practice and therefore can provide a very high quality of care for them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. She has now completed an appropriate course which ensures that children can be effectively cared for in case of an accident or emergency.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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