Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355528 Unique Reference Number 13 August 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her child who is nine years old. They live in a residential area of Walthamstow in the London Borough of Waltham forest. Their home is within walking distance of public transport, local schools, shops and parks. The ground floor of the property is the main area used for childminding. There is sufficient space to allow minded children to play and rest. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children for visits to the local library and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is soundly promoted through consistent procedures. Children are becoming aware of personal hygiene and independently access the bathroom for hand washing to ensure

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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 their hands are clean. Preventative measures are taken when providing personal care, to protect children from cross-infection. Children receive appropriate care if they have an accident or become ill as the childminder follows correct procedures. Parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is in place for children and all medication given to children is logged and parents give prior permission for any administration. The childminder keeps a written record of accidents which are countersigned by parents. A well stocked first aid kit is available and the childminder has attended appropriate training. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs in beds or on the sofa in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well met and they are encouraged to eat healthy food. The childminder provides snacks including sandwiches, fruit and cereals. Food is prepared in the kitchen where hygiene standards are high. Children are offered drinks regularly throughout the day to ensure that they remain hydrated. Children have daily access to exercise and fresh air. They walk to the park and use large-scale equipment and enjoy playing in the garden.

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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 safe and suitable environment that is organised to accommodate children comfortably and support their care, learning and play. The house and garden are secure and well maintained. There is a sufficient range of toys that are rotated in order to maintain children's interest, these are clean and regularly checked to ensure children's safety. The childminder is careful to minimise most risks to children and daily risk assessments ensure the premises are safe, secure and meet with requirements. However, children's safety could be compromised when playing outside, with regard to the uncovered hot water outlet drain. Fire prevention equipment is all in place to protect children in the event of a fire and they regularly practise the clearly defined evacuation procedures. Children are taken out in safe, suitable car seats, however, written permission from parents to transport children is not in place. This could

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately because the childminder has attended child protection training. She is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to follow and who to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled in the welcoming environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her sound knowledge of child development. The childminder gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, supporting the development of their language and curiosity with some open ended questions. This helps to consolidate and extend children's learning. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as the childminder takes them out regularly to the park and on other planned outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as the childminder knows them well and praises their achievements. Children positively take part in a selection of activities which ensures all areas of children's development are promoted and met. Children have access to a selection of books which is helping them to develop a love of books and also provide opportunities for them to have quiet times with the childminder.

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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 good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging as the childminder knows them and their families well and ensures they are all valued and included. Children have built stable relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. Children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has some resources reflecting diversity and discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help them develop an understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has some knowledge of how she might adapt activities and the environment to ensure inclusion. The childminder works closely with parents to provide the individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is willing to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and would undertake further training to accommodate an individual child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a simple understanding of responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model, she demonstrates a clear understanding of appropriate managing strategies and ensures they are developmentally appropriate. The childminder deals with behaviour in a calm, consistent manner and believes in rewarding good behaviour. Communication with parents enables any behavioural incidents to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are able to share all the childminder's policies and procedures. Forms are completed by parents to ensure the childminder has the necessary information to look after their children according to their wishes. Information is exchanged verbally each day to ensure children's changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder has built secure relationships with parents. The childminder makes parents aware of how they can make a complaint and is aware of her duty to log complaints, should she ever receive any.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the house to provide a secure and child-friendly environment in which children can take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Space and resources are organised to provide children with a balance of interesting activities. The childminder follow sound procedures to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards which ensures children are adequately protected. Appropriate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted. The childminder has attended the relevant training to support her registration and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills further. Children's needs are met by sufficient adult to child ratios and children benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted by the documented information kept, this is organised to ensure children's details are kept confidential. A register is maintained which shows children's actual hours of attendance. All required documentation was available at the time of inspection.

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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 Overall children's needs are met.

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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): • obtain written permission from parents to transport their children • ensure children can play safely in the garden, this refers to the uncovered hot water outlet drain.

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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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