Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348880 Unique Reference Number 15 July 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 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 2007. She lives with her partner and son aged seven in Barking, Essex. The whole flat excluding the master bedroom is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and 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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are protected effectively from cross-infection and their health is promoted because the childminder implements appropriate hygiene practices. The childminder has a written health

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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 policy which demonstrates her understanding of health and hygiene issues. All the required documentation to promote the children’s good health is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat packed lunches provided by their parents. Drinks are made available throughout the time the children are in the childminder's care. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to take part in physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a range of activities and play opportunities. For example, walking to and from school, going to the local park and playing in the communal outside area. Children benefit from fresh air each day which stimulates their minds and bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they are encouraged to talk about foods which are good for them, wash their hands to prevent germs spreading and learn that physical activity is fun. This promotes a positive attitude and encourages them to adopt this lifestyle for their future good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home environment which promotes their sense of security. Children have access to a communal outside area where they can be supervised by the childminder. Children’s all round development is promoted, however the range of toys and play materials is limited. Equipment and play resources are checked regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use. They play in a home which is regularly checked by the childminder for safety. She demonstrates her understanding of safety issues in her written safety policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively learning about keeping themselves safe through everyday routines. This is because the childminder reinforces safety measures with the children. For example, they talk about road safety when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has an understanding of her role in safeguarding children. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has a written safeguarding children policy which she shares with parents and carers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement which helps them to feel good about themselves. Their independence is limited because they are unable to self-select play materials and activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language development is promoted as they talk with the childminder and each other. Children's early mathematical skills are promoted as they count along to interactive television programmes such as Balamory. Children use their imaginations as they engage in 'pretend' play when playing with the blow-up boat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have time for free play and enjoy drawing and watching "In The Night Garden" their favourites characters are Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have good relationships with the childminder and she ensures their individual needs are met. They are treated as individuals and with respect by the childminder, which promotes their sense of self-worth effectively. Children are provided with equality of opportunity in their everyday routines and all are enabled to take part in activities and experiences. However there are limited resources showing similarities and differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn good social skills to enable them to build strong and warm relationships with the childminder and the other children. They learn how to share and take turns. Children’s good behaviour is promoted through lots of positive language and encouragement. Subsequently, children are well-behaved, polite and helpful.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from seeing the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents and carers. The childminder actively promotes an open two-way communication with all parents and carers to ensure that she can offer consistent and good quality care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are protected from non-vetted persons because the childminder ensures that all persons in the household are vetted and that non-vetted persons do not have unsupervised access to children. Children’s needs are met because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios are met.

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Organisation

Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder organises space to promote the children’s welfare and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains the required records, policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the childminding service. She ensures that all documentation about individual children is shared with their parents and carers.

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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 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): • provide a wider range of activities, play opportunities and first-hand experiences which allow children to build on their natural curiosity as learners • improve the organisation of resources so that they are readily accessible to children and support their play and learning • consider providing activities to help children appreciate and value each other’s similarities and differences.

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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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