Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY353500 Unique Reference Number 13 August 2008 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 2007. She lives with her husband and four children, two adult children and two sons aged 11 and 13 years old. They live in Stamford Hill, in the London borough of Hackney. The large back room on the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding two children under five on a full time and part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children stay healthy because the childminder thoroughly follows current and up-to-date environmental health and hygiene guidelines. The childminder has completed a food and hygiene course. She has effectively implemented all recommended health and hygiene precautions in order to minimise the risk of infection and disease, for example, colour coding children's utensils and thoroughly maintaining the cleanliness of toys and equipment. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures in place. This promotes clear communication between parents and herself, for example, the consent and administration of medicines and the accident recording book.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices because the childminder offers gentle reminders. They gain knowledge through experiences, new tastes and textures and through informative discussion. They know to cover their mouths when they cough and use tissues when they have a runny nose.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are exceedingly well nourished because the childminder provides appetising and healthy lunches and snacks. For example, children enthusiastically gather around the table and enjoy fresh pasta and vegetables with a fresh fruit milkshake to follow.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy good opportunities for physical activity, for example, they walk to and from childcare groups on a daily basis and thoroughly enjoy trips to the park, library and activity parks. The garden is well equipped with bikes, buggies, bats and balls and consequently, children exercise and develop their balance and coordination. Children competently use a wide range of small tools and equipment with increasing control including scissors, dough cutters and glue pens.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has relevant first aid training and is knowledgeable and resourceful when dealing with any potential injuries or illnesses. Children's individual health and dietary needs are thoroughly recorded and the childminder ensures that guidance and parents' wishes are followed carefully, consequently, children receive continuity of care

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, safe and welcoming home. For example, the play room has a notice board area where parents can view notices, certificates and the children's creative work. Children look with wonder at wall displays and posters, for example, alphabet posters, welcome posters and children's creative work. Children use a wide range of suitable and safe equipment because the childminder has an extremely thorough knowledge of child development. She confidently identifies what equipment is needed to assist children, for example, booster chairs, high chairs, travel cots and stair gates. Consequently, children's needs are catered for successfully. All equipment is thoroughly risk assessed on a daily basis and because of this children move with confidence and purpose within the play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe such as on trips and outings. The youngest children are secured appropriately in a buggy. While the older children understand they must hold the childminder’s hand or the side of the buggy. The childminder succeeds in offering the children simple explanations and instructions that increase their knowledge and understanding. The

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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 childminder has devised systems that further promote the children's safety, such as sound collection procedures and an emergency evacuation drill. However, she has not practised the drill with the children, meaning they are not familiar with the procedure to follow if they have to leave the home in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an competent knowledge of child protection issues and is clear regarding her role and responsibilities and of the procedure to follow if she has concerns. She has completed several child protection courses and all information and contact numbers are accessible. The childminder has professional safety policies in place such as a collection procedure and fire evacuation procedure, consequently, children are successfully kept safe. This supports children’s well-being and safeguards their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled as they work cooperatively together in a relaxed and friendly manner. There is obvious warmth between the children and the childminder and they enjoy each other's company, for example, the children gather on the sofa for a story time and happily repeat the words of the story. Children look to the childminder for support and she consistently responds and is attentive to their every need.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their creativity through an excellent variety of sensory activities, such as playing with pasta or dough, and in small world and role play. They develop a love of books from an early age, as they use the well resourced book areas. Children have excellent accessibility to a vast range of resources. Toys are presented in large open containers that are situated on the carpet or at child level and a small table is used for role play and creative activities, while the home corner and book corner are well presented at child level and extensively resourced allowing children to independently make choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have frequent opportunities to develop their social skills and enjoy playing with other children. The childminder organises an outing for children each day, including trips to the library, toddler group and park. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder sets realistic goals for the children. She makes careful observations to be sure that she offers sufficient challenge, interest and stimulation. The childminder consistently offers the children positive responses and praise and encouragement to their comments, questions and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. A comprehensive settling-in process for parents and children enables the childminder to create a firm foundation in which to care for the individual children's needs. For example, time is spent gathering information which forms a child profile from which the childminder bases her activity planning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a strong sense of belonging because the childminder values children's contributions. For example, all creative work is displayed and time is set aside to listen to each child's news, thoughts and comments. Children are confident and secure in the setting because they receive an abundance of encouragement and praise throughout their time at the childminder's.

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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 have a good understanding of responsible behaviour such as sharing and tiding up after play. The childminder offers them opportunities to independently achieve and offers them simple explanations of why these are helpful and kind things to do. Young children are learning to share, take turns and co-operate with others. The childminder is a good role model, treats children with respect and manages children’s behaviour in a calm, positive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Resources and play equipment thoroughly reflect diversity, for example, children enjoy play foods and utensils, dressing-up clothes, dolls, puppets, puzzles and books. Children are beginning to successfully learn about each other's cultures as they take part in activities such as making cards to acknowledge one another's faith festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development, and how children learn, to organise her day to maximise the children's enjoyment and potential to achieve. She uses her time flexibly, to consider the children's needs. This means they have opportunities to play or rest quietly according to their own preferences. The home is warm and welcoming and, despite some minor safety issues, provides a suitable environment for minded children. The childminder has identified training that she feels will further improve the quality of care she offers.

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Organisation

Children are safeguarded as all other adults in the home have undergone checks to assess their suitability and there is an accurate record of children's attendances.

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Organisation

The childminder has all required documentation in place and has compiled an informative portfolio of written policies and procedures that guide her daily practices. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • provide the opportunity for children to practise the evacuation procedure and complete a risk assessment

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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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