Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357224 Unique Reference Number 02 June 2008 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 daughter aged four in Barking, Essex. The whole 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five, one full-time and the other one part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She 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 are protected from cross-infection and their good health is promoted because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the older children wash hands before eating and children use paper towels to prevent cross-infection. Children effectively learn about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy through daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

All of the required documentation to promote the children's good health is in place. The childminder has a good range of well-written policies and procedures which underpin her working practices in all areas. She ensures her first aid training is updated when required to ensure she can always deal with minor injuries effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's parents and carers can choose to provide food for their children or the childminder provides good, healthy home-cooked meals including fish, chicken and pasta. The children enjoy fruit and bread sticks for snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities to develop the children’s physical development. For example, they walk to and from school, visit the library and participate in obstacle courses and running races in the home. Children benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very welcoming and friendly, which fosters the children’s sense of security and belonging. Children have lots of space to play freely and to be active or rest as they choose. Children’s safety is promoted well because the childminder takes good steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside, are minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s development is effectively promoted because the childminder has a good range of suitable toys and play resources available for indoor and outdoor play. Children’s safety is promoted because the toys and equipment are clean and in good repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe because the childminder encourages them to begin to understand about safety issues both within the setting and outside. She uses daily routines to remind children of everyday safety issues, such as holding hands when crossing the road. They go for walks so they experience first-hand the safe way to cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documentation to promote the children’s safety. In addition, the childminder has attended safeguarding children training and has the latest local child protection guidance. She therefore has a good understanding of her role and responsibility regarding children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the superb and meaningful interaction of their caring childminder. Children receive excellent support as the childminder provides a broad range of experiences to promote

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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 their all round development. The childminder knows the children well and makes useful observations of what they can do to help her plan stimulating activities to help them achieve their next steps and fulfil their potential. Their language development is promoted extremely well and at every opportunity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to respond to the world creatively by promoting repetition in their movement, language and sensory experiences. Children develop their imaginative skills as they explore a range of items, such as small world toys and dressing up clothes. They investigate messy play through a range of activities both in and out of the home. For example, they enjoy using recycled materials, glue, sand and water. The children are very happy and confident in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment where the childminder promotes equality of opportunity for all children. Children’s individual needs are met because the childminder gets to know the children well. Children learn about the wider world, differences and similarities through a good range of books, television programmes and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they are given clear and consistent boundaries by the childminder. Children are good at sharing and taking turns with the childminder's support. The children are polite, helpful and learn to show consideration for others and their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children feel a sense of belonging because the childminder makes them feel at home. They develop good relationships with the childminder and the other children as they participate in outings and activities together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to enable the children to settle well and to ensure children are cared for with consistency. The childminder makes time each day to speak with parents and carers to share information about their child’s day so that they are well informed. The childminder's portfolio ensures that parents and carers are fully informed about the childminder's working practices.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are protected because the childminder and other adults in the household have undergone the appropriate checks to ensure that they are suitable to look after or to have unsupervised access to children. Children are not left unsupervised with other persons.

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Organisation

The childminder meets required adult to child ratios. She demonstrates a very good understanding of the requirements of the National Standards both in her daily practices and through the excellent range of policies, procedures and information available to parents and carers.

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Organisation

The children have free access to the whole ground floor of the childminder's home and the outside play area, however the use of the outside area is generally limited to physical activities.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended training and shows a strong commitment to further professional development. This commitment to developing her skills and knowledge has a positive impact

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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 on the children's care and learning opportunities. Children are protected because the childminder has attended first aid training which enables her to act appropriately in medical emergencies.

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Organisation

All of the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe running of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are efficiently maintained.

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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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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 extending the use of the outside play area to incorporate all forms of learning.

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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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