Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269193 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Mark Evans 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children, aged five months, seven years and 11 years, in Forest Gate in the London borough of Newham. Children have access to the ground floor hallway, lounge, kitchen and bathroom and the first floor bedrooms. There is a garden area to the rear of the property for children's physical play and activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to receive four children under eight years and currently has two children on roll. There were no children present at the time of inspection. The childminder takes and collects children to and from local schools and children have outings and visits to local areas, such as parks, the library and activity groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, (NCMA).

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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 satisfactory. The home environment is clean and suitably maintained. The childminder shows satisfactory knowledge of how to promote children's health, for example, she confirms that she encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. This helps to protect children from the risk of cross-contamination. The childminder has satisfactory systems for monitoring accidents, however, there is no clear agreement for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment and this potentially compromises children's well-being. There is a clear policy with parents for children to be cared for at home when they are ill or infectious and this assists the prevention of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows awareness of the importance of a nutritionally balanced diet. She explains that parents provide a packed lunch for their child and that she supplements this with a healthy range of snacks and drinks. For example, they have sandwiches, grapes, apples, pears and bananas. The childminder confirms that children have regular access to drinks and this helps them to be well hydrated and comfortable. She discusses food provision with the parents to gain information on any special dietary needs and understands that these details are to be recorded. The childminder demonstrates awareness of the importance of promoting opportunities for children to keep healthy through their daily routines, for example, she plans their time so that they can play in the garden and have walks to the park. This means that they have useful outdoor experiences to develop physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder explains that she encourages children's safety through supervision, use of safety equipment to reduce risk, and talking to children about keeping safe. For example, she uses safety gates to control access to the stairs and has locks fitted to kitchen cupboard doors to make hazardous materials inaccessible; when on trips out the childminder reminds children about road safety. Discussion with the childminder suggests that she uses suitable practice to provide an environment where children can play safely. However, there is no smoke alarm fitted on the first floor and an emergency escape plan has not been devised or practised and this compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder explains how available space is used in the home areas to meet children's needs and to ensure they have space to play and be comfortable. Children can safely access a satisfactory range of toys and equipment. The childminder describes some understanding of child protection procedures and recognises the need to use appropriate procedures. However, her knowledge is not fully secure and this potentially compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates, through the presentation of the available toys and equipment, that children have a satisfactory range of resources to support their play. She explains that children have opportunities to be creative and that this includes activities such as painting, making necklaces, collage pictures, and preparing and playing with play dough. Other resources include items for role play, such as cups, pots and pans, dolls, dressing-up clothes and a Doctors

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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 play set. This type of play with the use of props supports children's imagination and developing awareness of the world around them. The childminder does not have regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support children's play and development and this potentially limits their learning experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder explains how she uses routines within the day to have a quiet period to use books and have a story time. This encourages children to enjoy books and to develop language. Cooking activities with the children, such as making biscuits, provides them with opportunities to measure and mix ingredients. Children have time out of the home and become familiar with their local area, for example, they go on walks and visit the library. Children's play opportunities are extended through visits to local activity groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Discussion with the childminder suggests that children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder takes account of children's individual needs, which is aided by working closely with parents, for example, to establish children's routines. The childminder uses written agreement for most aspects of the partnership, including the business arrangements. This helps parents to make informed decisions and establish secure and stable arrangements for their child's care. However, the childminder does not keep consent forms, which include details such as permission for outings, and this potentially compromises children's well-being. The childminder has some resources that promote children's awareness of diversity, such as play figures and sari dressing-up clothes, and she supplements this with additional items such as library books. Children gain awareness of their more immediate community as they visit places

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of interest and go on regular outings, such as to local activity groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder explains that children are often praised for what they do to help their confidence and self-esteem. Children's behaviour is managed positively, according to their age and level of understanding. She gives examples of using distraction with younger children and explanation of consequences to help older children learn about appropriate behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder confirms her awareness of the required adult to child ratios to support children's comfortable and stable levels of care. Children benefit from the childminder's developing knowledge through training, for example, she has a current first aid certificate and an introducing childminding practice certificate. The childminder explains that children are always supervised when in her care, which helps to maintain their welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder is generally aware of documentation and records to be kept. For example, she has a current public liability insurance certificate, a record of children's attendance and record books for accidents and medication. Most documents are satisfactorily organised to support the management of the childminding provision and are made available for inspection. The childminder confirms that children have suitable levels of continuity in care because she regularly shares information with parents. Overall, the evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to: ensure all hazardous items are kept inaccessible to children; provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; organise a range of activities and play opportunities for children's overall development, and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has provided locks on some kitchen cupboard doors to prevent children's access to hazardous materials and keep them safe. The range of play resources and activities have been extended to develop children's awareness of diversity and to provide more opportunities for play and development. Written permission from parents for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment is not fully in place.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • provide a smoke alarm, which conforms to BS EN safety standards, on the first floor level and devise and practise an emergency escape plan • develop knowledge of child protection issues and procedures • develop use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support and extend children's play and development • ensure that appropriate signed consent forms are kept, including parental permission for local trips and outings.

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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 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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