Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344432 Unique Reference Number 02 June 2008 Inspection date Lynn Denise Smith 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 2006. She lives with her husband, brother and three children aged 10, 15 and 18 years in North Chingford, London. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with the exception of the study and the front reception room. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 develop a sound understanding about keeping healthy as they follow the childminder's clear procedures and directions. They understand the importance of hand washing after they have used the toilet, before meals and when they have played with the family's pet cat. Younger children's personal needs are effectively met as the childminder has clear procedures for changing nappies and disposing of the soiled nappies efficiently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who are unwell within the childminder's care or who have accidents are affectionately comforted and have their injuries dealt with by the childminder using her up-to-date first aid knowledge. An accurate record of any accident and incidents is recorded and shared with the children's parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied and well-balanced diet during their time with the childminder. They are provided with nutritious snacks and meals and the childminder encourages them to explore a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children sit together on low level tables and chairs with the childminder close at hand to offer them support and to use the time as a productive social experience. Children are provided with drinks throughout the day and are encouraged to drink fresh water as often as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to experience fresh air when they play in the childminder's rear garden, go for walks in the local area and visit one of the many local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well-organised, safe and clean home. They move freely around the rear reception room, conservatory and entrance hallway. The areas used for childminding are made bright and welcoming as the childminder displays a range of colourful and informative posters on the walls. The furniture is presented around the edge of the rooms to provide maximum clear floor space for the children to play in. Children access a well-presented, fully-enclosed rear garden through the kitchen and through the conservatory. The area provides opportunities for soft play on the grassed section and a hard-surfaced area for bikes and ball games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely self-select an interesting range of toys and play equipment from the selection presented in clear plastic storage boxes in the conservatory. They play with clean and appropriately maintained resources as the childminder follows her routine procedure of checking the equipment and ensuring that it is cleaned on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good understanding about keeping safe as they discuss safety issues with the childminder and follow her simple house rules. They understand that they shouldn't climb on the furniture or play fight as this could lead to accidents. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder and her husband who works as her assistant. They demonstrate a sound knowledge of how to maintain safety within their home and when taking children on trips and outings outside of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. She monitors 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 visitors to her home and keeps a written record of all visitors. The minded children are always in the childminder's supervision.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a full range of activities during their time with the childminder. They are provided with an interesting selection of toys and resources which are stored appropriately to promote self-selection and encourage children to make choices over their play. They are well-supported in their play by the childminder who spends her whole time with them. She encourages them to explore the toys and resources available to them and helps them make choices about what to play with next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to explore their local area when they go for walks to the park, to the woods and generally in the local environment. They enjoy both quiet and active times during their minded day and are provided with opportunities to rest in accordance with their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore their creative talents as they draw, make models and participate in messy play. They express their imagination through dressing up and role play. They are provided with a range of dressing up clothes as well as with some colourful and exciting material to wrap around themselves and experiment with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy playing board games whereby they develop an understanding about taking turns and sharing. They have fun in the childminder's garden playing football and being active.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's needs are effectively met as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the requirements of the children in her care. She is committed to keeping up-to-date with current thinking on childcare and is in the process of preparing for the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage later this year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. They approach her and her assistant with ease and enjoy the close and caring interaction they receive from them. Their individual needs are effectively shared with the childminder when she and the parents hold their initial meeting to discuss her service. Good ongoing communication ensures that the childminder is kept up-to-date with any changes in the children's lives or routines. Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities have their individual needs met by the childminder and parents working well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play with an exciting selection of toys and resources which reflect diversity and our multi-cultural society. They have opportunities to explore a range of festivals and special occasions through crafts, discussions and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain a sound understanding about the childminder's house rules as they are clearly displayed in a fun, home-made poster on the wall. They contribute towards the rules, incorporating issues which are important to them. Children have opportunities to learn about taking turns and sharing as they follow the childminder's directions and guidance when playing games or waiting their turn.

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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's well-being is effectively promoted as the childminder and parents work well together. They share relevant information verbally each day and keep each other informed about coming events. Parents are provided with clear and effective written information about the childminder's service through her range of written policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is also a foster carer and supports a busy household. She is committed to keeping abreast of current thinking and changes in the world of childcare through training courses and training events and has completed a number of courses since registering as a childminder. The childminder works with her husband as an assistant, who can at times, with the parents written consent be left in sole charge of the minded children. All adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted or are in the process of being checked. Clearance of these checks and a letter of good conduct regarding the newest member of the family to join the household are available for parents to view.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in small groups as well as on an individual basis. They receive good quality interaction from the childminder and her assistant and have become important members of the family. Their attendance is effectively recorded on a daily basis and the childminder is very clear about her responsibilities to adhere to her registration requirements regarding numbers of children in her care.

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Organisation

Clear and effective records are available for inspection which meet Ofsted's requirements, with exception of one set of children's personal details, these are not currently in place. Records are available for inspection and are efficiently presented. Written policies and procedures support the childminder's practices and ensure parents are fully aware of her service. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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): • ensure all children's details are up to date and available at all times.

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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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