Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276720 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2008 Inspection date Lesley Boyle 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 December 2003. She lives with her two sons aged 17 and one aged over 24 years. The premises are situated in Leytonstone in the London borough of Waltham Forest. The whole ground floor, one bedroom and a fully enclosed garden is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five. The childminder walks to local schools and under fives groups to take and collect children. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those for whom English is an additional language. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean and hygienic home environment where they are well protected from infection because the childminder follows good hygiene routines. Children learn effectively

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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 about their own personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after toileting and see the childminder's good example. Good policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate treatment in the event of an accident or if they become unwell in the childminder’s care. For example, the childminder holds a paediatric first aid qualification, has gained written permission to seek emergency medical treatment as well as the required accident and medication records, which are accurately maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy relaxed and sociable mealtimes. The childminder and the children all have lunch together and use this as an opportunity to talk and share experiences. Children's individual dietary requirements are met as the childminder obtains detailed information from the parents regarding allergies and preferences. She has a very good understanding of healthy eating and is committed to providing nutritious meals for children. Although the childminder is conscientious about offering children drinks throughout the day, not having them available for all the children to help themselves means that they miss opportunities to independently keep themselves hydrated and learn about the importance of this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. Each day they walk within the local community gaining fresh air to their lungs. They also have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder pays good attention to protecting children from potential hazards by minimising risks in her home. For example, accessible electrical sockets are fitted with safety covers, there are stair gates to prevent children access to the kitchen and the stairs and the premises are kept secure. Children are well protected in emergency situations because the childminder has a clear fire evacuation procedure which is regularly practised with the children. They are also kept safe on outings because the childminder is vigilant, ensuring the children keep close to her by high expectations of behaviour or for younger children by using buggies or reins. Children learn about keeping themselves safe during their many trips where the childminder uses these opportunities to develop children's knowledge of road safety. The childminder consolidates their understanding through follow-up activities downloaded from the internet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a homely environment in which they are at ease. Children's toys are within easy reach and this ensures a child-focused approach. Rooms are well ventilated and appropriate temperature is maintained to ensure children remain comfortable. A good range of toys and equipment are easily accessible to children and meet their individual needs. Young children are beginning to gain independence as they access suitable equipment such as a toilet step, a low-level table and small chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in child protection. She is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board guidelines and would be able to take appropriate action if she had concerns about a child’s welfare. Parents are made aware of the childminder’s duty to report concerns through the childminder’s written child protection policy.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of play opportunities through a balanced selection of resources. Activities are well-organised to enable children to self-select and make choices about how to spend their time. A bright and child-friendly play area contains a wide range of toy boxes which are clearly labelled enabling children to choose independently and encouraging them to know that text carries meaning. The childminder provides children with a good balance between independent and supported play. When the children play alone the childminder is always close by to support their play if necessary. During modelling dough or drawing activities the childminder will give the children an example and then encourage them to try it for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development and learning through play is excellent. Detailed information collated from parents enables the childminder to know the child quickly and is used to plan play based on their individual development and interests. Children take part in an extensive range of purposeful activities and show great concentration and absorption in their play. The childminder is skilful in extending the children's language by showing interest in what they are saying and sensitively finds ways to bring in new vocabulary. An excellent settling-in procedure ensures that children are settled and secure and the childminder is warm, gentle and intuitive to the needs of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children acquire new knowledge and skills as the childminder introduces new topics and extends their learning through planned activities and projects. For example, during a recent interest the children have developed in healthy eating, the childminder took the children to a fish market so that they could learn about different kinds of fish and have their interest in keeping healthy rejuvenated. The childminder also took the children to a fruit and vegetable market where the children were given the opportunity to buy fruit and vegetables to bring home and explore through cutting them up themselves and tasting. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three' guidance and the Foundation Stage curriculum and she uses it well to influence her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are seen as individuals, their unique needs are met as they follow their own daily routines as discussed with their parents. The childminder has a good range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. Activities are provided that also encourage children to have positive attitudes and an awareness of diversity and the wider world, for example cooking traditional foods from around the world and topic work based on different beliefs. A written equal opportunities policy is in place and shared with parents, this ensures everyone is aware that nobody will have less favourable treatment due to their gender, culture or disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They have formed good relationships and obviously enjoy each other's company and are affectionate towards one another. The childminder encourages the children to share and to be caring and considerate to each other. There are rules displayed that are illustrated by pictures so that even the youngest children are given guidelines they can understand. The childminder shows an understanding and willingness to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and would undergo any further training to ensure children are well cared for.

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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 Children benefit from the constructive partnership that exists between their parents and the childminder. When children start, the childminder ensures that she has a full discussion regarding their needs so she is able to meet these properly. Furthermore, parents are given a great deal of useful written information about the practice which gives them a greater understanding. Children's well-being is discussed between parents and the childminder each day and the childminder provides parents with daily written information to ensure that parents are fully informed. The use of questionnaires further informs the childminder's practice and the positive comments from parents demonstrate the level of trust that has been established.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder evidences great zeal and enthusiasm to developing her service. She has attended required training and evidences a strong commitment to improving her practice through attendance at further courses to develop her knowledge and understanding of good childcare. Children benefit from being cared for in a well-organised home where toys and equipment are readily available to them. This helps the children to feel secure and confident to initiate their own play and learning in her home.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and has organised her portfolio in a way that demonstrates her commitment to providing the best outcomes for children. She has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which she shares with all parents, promoting consistency and continuity of care. All legally required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being is in place and systems have been considered to ensure that this is regularly reviewed and updated. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to develop a complaints procedure, a policy for excluding children who are ill and a behaviour management policy. The childminder now has all these in place thereby promoting good partnerships with parents and protecting children's health and well-being.

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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 the 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 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): • consider ways of making drinking water available to all children at all times so that they are encouraged to drink more regularly.

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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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