Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY310970 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2008 Inspection date Glenda Kathleen Field 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 December 2005. She lives in Walthamstow, London with her three children aged 18,16 and 12. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat as a household pet. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and there are currently two children on roll, both attending on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children for walks to the local part and visits are made to children's soft play centres, childminder drop-in centres and the local Toy Library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children attend a setting which has good health and hygiene practices. Cross-infection is minimised through the childminder's routines such as washing her hands before preparing food and ensuring that children have individual hand towels available to use. Children learn to understand simple good health and living as they wash their hands after toileting and prior to handling food. The childminder explains the reasons why so that they are able to learn. Pets

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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 in the home have up-to-date inoculations and are wormed regularly, therefore posing minimum risk to children. There is a cot available for children to have undisturbed sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive good care when they are ill or have an accident because the childminder has attended a first aid course and has a first aid box easily accessible in the kitchen and a travel one for outings. The childminder has an accident book where she records any accidents that occur and asks parents to sign. Should a child need to have medicine administered the childminder would ask the parent to complete the medicine book which would state the dosage and times the medicine is needed. If a child is unwell at the setting parents are contacted and asked to collect them. The childminder has information regarding communicable diseases which she uses to inform parents of the length of time children should be kept at home so that cross-infection is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s physical play experiences are very well promoted as the childminder places a great emphasis on them having daily outdoor play. Children attend a variety of different groups and often visit the local park giving them the opportunity to use the slide, swing and other resources, practising their physical skills. In addition to the outings children have the use of a rear garden which has a patio for them to use ride-on toys, a slide and a sand pit. Children have their health and dietary needs well met and increase their understanding of healthy living at the setting. They have free access to their drinks as their beakers are in the lounge on a child-sized table easily accessible to all children. The childminder ensures that their drinks are replenished throughout the day. The childminder cooks a hot meal daily which includes a variety of different meats with fresh vegetables. In addition children enjoy a morning and afternoon snack of

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Helping children to be healthy

breadsticks and fresh fruit such as apples, bananas and grapes. All food provided is done so according to parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is warm and welcoming for children, parents and carers. The childminder organises her home to ensure that children are able to freely and safely move around, playing and exploring in the space available to them. Children use safe and suitable equipment as the childminder provides a wide range of toys and resources catering for all children of varying abilities. They are stored accessibly to the children in low-level boxes and on shelving so that they are free to help themselves to toys of interest. The childminder ensures that all toys are suitable for the children attending and regularly checks for anything broken, removing anything she finds.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Provision arrangements meet all health and safety guidelines because the childminder assesses the hazards in her home and minimises the risks. Cupboards containing items that are not suitable for children have locks fitted making them inaccessible and plug sockets are covered. In addition the childminder ensures that children are not able to access the stairs or enter the kitchen unsupervised by providing safety gates. Security in and out of the home is well monitored as the front and back doors are locked and the garden gate is locked when the children play outside. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through discussions about road safety and they are safe on outings because the childminder uses appropriate harnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the event of a fire, the childminder has taken active steps to protect children through a well-planned evacuation procedure. Precautions are taken with smoke alarms fitted and regularly tested, and a fire blanket easily accessible in the kitchen. In an emergency the childminder has a well-thought-out emergency plan, which she has discussed with parents. She has made

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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 arrangements with another local childminder to take care of the children should she have an accident to ensure that the children continue to be safely cared for. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder understands her role in child protection as she has completed safeguarding children training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to be confident and develop their independence through the praise and support offered by the childminder. Children freely access toys and resources from the boxes and the shelves, making choices about how to spend their time exploring and investigating the toys on offer. The childminder rotates the toys regularly so that the children have the opportunity to play with a wide range. As children choose what they want to do they remain engaged and interested for longer periods of time. Evident good relationships have been formed between the childminder and the children. They often approach her for cuddles and ask her to join in with their games. For example, one of the children asked the childminder to put the music on and enjoyed singing along with the childminder. Children are clearly very settled and enjoy their time spent at the childminder's house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a daily routine which involves attending a variety of groups or going to the park and playing at home with the resources. Children know the routine and look forward to their day. Children show an interest in their activity when they are provided with fun and meaningful activities. The childminder has a good variety of stimulating and exciting toys for the children to play with covering all areas of learning. For example, children have access to construction, musical instruments, art and craft materials, books, dressing-up clothes and the outdoors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the varied interactions with different children and adults they meet through the groups they attend. They enjoy children's soft play centres, childminder support groups and playing in the local park. These outings add to the children's experiences and social development. Children are encouraged to try new activities as the childminder involves herself in their play, joining in with activities and role modelling them so that the children can see it is fun and have a try. The childminder is very enthusiastic and it is clear that she thoroughly enjoys being with the children. She asks the children lots of questions to engage them and to encourage them to think about their responses. This helps children to use their initiative and independently ask questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well included and their differences acknowledged because the childminder ensures that she uses her time very effectively to allow time to be spent with each individual child. Children have a sense of belonging at the setting as they have their favourite toys to play with. The children know where things are kept and help themselves throughout the day. Children are in touch with the wider community as they are regularly out in the local area meeting other children and adults at groups they attend with the childminder, for example, children's soft play areas and childminder drop-in groups. Children learn about diversity at groups they attend, however, the childminder has limited resources in her home that promote positive images of other cultures and disability.

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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 individual needs are well met as the childminder knows each child very well. She has a very positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is confident that she would identify issues with a child's development and would always speak to the parents. The childminder is willing to source specific training to meet the needs of the children and is happy to work with professionals in order to provide good care and offer the necessary support. Children understand appropriate behaviour because the childminder is a very positive role model and sets appropriate boundaries outlined in the house rules. The childminder is consistent in her approach and always talks to the children, explaining the consequences of their behaviour so that they understand. The childminder speaks in a very

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Helping children make a positive contribution

calm manner and always gets down to children's level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for by a childminder who works well with parents to meet their individual needs and ensure that the child is fully included in the setting. Initially the parents and children are invited to the childminder's house so that they can meet the family and see the house. The childminder obtains from parents vital information about their child, informing her of any allergies the child may have, any additional requirements and relevant contact numbers. The childminder communicates with parents verbally at the beginning and at the end of the day and completes assessment records which also contain photographs of the children enjoying various activities. These records are shared with parents. The childminder has a procedure in place informing parents about how to make a complaint. Consequently, parents know what action to take if they have any concerns about the care their child receives. Parents speak highly

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of the childminder in testimonials she has received such as ' she takes children's education and development seriously' and 'her care is unquestionable'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a safe and suitable adult as the childminder has been vetted and deemed suitable to care for children. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. She ensures that she maintains the correct ratio of children at all times. The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice, a first aid course and a safeguarding children course.

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Organisation

The childminder's home is well organised so that children can freely move around making the most of the space available. The children mainly play in the lounge which has a comfy sofa for children to sit on and look at books, or to have a sleep. The lounge and entrance hall house the majority of the toys, these are easily accessible to children from floor based containers and low shelving. There is also a child-sized table where children sit together to have their snack and lunch. The garden is accessible through the lounge and children have the use of a downstairs toilet.

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Organisation

Children’s well-being is promoted by the childminder having well-organised, accessible records which are stored confidentially on the premises. The childminder has good written policies in place which are shared with parents. She maintains an accurate attendance register and asks parents to provide her with information on their child's dietary and medical needs, and emergency contact details amongst other information via the registration form. In addition the childminder seeks consent from parents which enables her to care for the children responsibly and according to parents' wishes.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable, this is the first inspection.

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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): • further develop resources that promote positive images of other cultures and disability.

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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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