Prince, Tracy

Inspection report for early years provision

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504405 Unique Reference Number 25 February 2008 Inspection date Heather Allen 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and five children aged 15 months, three, 14, 17 and 21 years in a terraced house in Barking, Essex. The house is within walking distance of local shops, parks and schools and Upney station. Only the ground floor of the property is registered for childcare, with toilet facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years and of these not more than one may be under five years at any one time. She currently provides care before and after school. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one dog. The childminder attends a local childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise in the back garden. They explore the play house which is full of equipment providing stimulation for imaginative

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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 play. Children tuck babies into the pushchairs they have selected and take them for walks round the garden. They have a wide variety of activities and play equipment to choose from, including slides and sit in cars and tricycles. Children enjoy having snacks outside when the weather is fine. However they do not always learn about good hygiene practices as they sometimes eat outside before washing their hands, even though some of the outdoor toys have dirty rain water on them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder knows the children well and pays careful attention to their dietary and religious requirements which she discusses and agrees with parents. She is flexible in her catering arrangements and minded children are offered the same food as her family if the parents wish. Children have fresh fruit and drinks available on the kitchen table and are able to help themselves. They enjoy socialising together at meal times and sit at the table chatting whilst they eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children's health is protected and has a verbal sick child policy which she shares with parents. She advises parents if her children are unwell, in order to limit the spread of infection. Older children learn independence with regard to personal hygiene, as toilet facilities are easily accessible. Nappies are disposed of hygienically in a bin well outside the back door. Children are protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has completed first aid training and is aware that all accidents and incidents should be recorded and parents notified.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared in a warm and welcoming environment. The home is child friendly, bright and cheerful. Children have the use of the sitting room and dining area for indoor play, with toilet facilities within easy access next to the dining area. Children are kept safe because the childminder has good safety measures in place. Children only access the kitchen when they walk through to the garden. They can play freely outdoors because the garden is securely fenced and the childminder ensures that the dog is put in a separate area when children play outside. Hazardous objects in the garden are kept secure in a locked shed. Children learn independence because they have a wide range of toys and activities which they can choose from, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder regularly tidies and sorts through the toys to ensure the play area is safe. She is registered for only two children, so that they have sufficient

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures that appropriate documentation is in place to protect children, including a current gas safety certificate, public liability insurance and parental permission for transporting children in a car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because all adults in the household have a current CRB check and the childminder ensures that children are not left alone with any adult who has not been vetted. The childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and has relevant guidelines in place should there be any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy in the childminder's care and feel at home in the environment.

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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 They enjoy socialising together during indoor and outdoor play and have an extensive selection of toys and activities to choose from. The childminder supports children in their play and they benefit from her kind and caring manner. Older children enjoy getting out pushchairs and tucking their 'babies' in and taking them round the garden for a walk. Children learn how to be thoughtful of others as the childminder encourages them to find a pushchair and 'baby' for a younger child. Children are excited when they find some handbags and select one each to play with. They choose one that is very ornate with sequins on and discuss that this is an Indian bag. They use their imagination as they talk about putting their credit cards and mobile phones in the bags. They remember to be thoughtful about others, and help the younger child to find

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities for quiet play and can watch the television or sit and read books on comfortable sofas. They socialise as they sit at the dining table together and chat whilst they draw and have a drink. Children benefit from a happy atmosphere. The childminder encourages children to be independent and explore, but is always on hand to give support to children when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values all children and actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Minded children are treated as part of the family and all the children enjoy playing and socialising together. The childminder works closely with parents and finds out about family customs and beliefs so that she can care for children appropriately. When children learn about different cultures and festivals at school the childminder takes the opportunity to continue discussions about these topics at home. There are ample toys and play opportunities to cater for both boys and girls, and all the children enjoy dressing up or playing with cars and pushchairs together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very thoughtful and considerate to children. She promotes self esteem by giving plenty of praise and encouragement and acknowledging their achievements. Children are well behaved and polite and show care and concern for each other. Older children include younger children in their play and help to tidy up toys at the end of the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents and knows their children well. Children's individual needs are discussed and recorded and she is careful to observe any religious or dietary needs. She keeps parents well informed about their children. She has appropriate written parental consents in place and parents are aware of the complaints procedure should they have any concerns. She advised parents of the forthcoming inspection, giving them the opportunity to speak to the inspector. Parents say they are very happy with the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder currently minds children before and after school and organises her daily routine to meet the needs of all the children in her care. Children are familiar with the routine and settle well. The childminder is thoughtful and caring and children are valued as individuals and treated as one of the family. They develop self esteem and independence.

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Organisation

The areas used for play are bright, colourful and welcoming and there is a stimulating range of toys and activities accessible to all children both indoors and outdoors. Children are absorbed

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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 and happy. They have opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they play outdoors. However children do not always learn good hygiene procedures as they sometimes eat outdoors before washing their hands.

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Organisation

Children are protected because the childminder has all appropriate documentation in place to support her childminding practice and completed first aid training in 2007. She keeps within her required adult to child ratios at all times and ensures that children are not left unsupervised with the family dog. She knows the children well and keeps individual child record forms detailing the individual needs of each child in her care. Overall, 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 in 2003 a notice of action to improve was issued, which required the childminder to ensure that sleeping children are protected and that low level glass in the living room and electric sockets are made safe. Children are now protected in the living room because the childminder has not used the sofa for sleeping since the last inspection, and has soft floor covering available if a child should need to sleep on the sofa. She has removed a small cabinet with low level glass and has fitted safety covers in the electric sockets.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection five recommendations were also raised, which asked the childminder to keep an up-to-date daily record of the hours of attendance for all children; ensure the development needs of all children are met during outside play activities; improve hygiene practices during nappy changing routines and seek further information on notifiable diseases; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and play materials that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; and display the Ofsted complaints poster. Children are now kept safe in the event of a fire or child protection issue because the childminder maintains an up-to-date register giving accurate arrival and departure times. Boys and girls enjoy a stimulating range of outside play activities which they share together. All children have equal opportunities to play with toys and join in with activities and they are

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Improvements since the last inspection

absorbed and happy as they play. Children's good health is promoted because the childminder has hygienic methods to dispose of nappies and has obtained clear guidance on notifiable diseases, including their signs and symptoms and what to do regarding care and complications. The Ofsted complaints poster, which gives contact details for Ofsted, is displayed in the entrance hall and is easily visible to parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • further improve hygiene practices and ensure that outside toys are clean before use and that children wash their hands before eating

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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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