Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337050 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2008 Inspection date Vivienne Rose 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 2006. She lives with her husband and four children aged 19, 18, 13 and four years, in a house in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom facilities on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for two children at any one time and is currently minding two children, one full time and one on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local under-fives groups and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming and clean environment for the children. Children learn about hygiene practices because of the childminder's practice. For example, she explains to children that they must wash their hands and why, before mealtimes and after toileting and messy play activities. Children's health is suitably protected as the childminder seeks written parental permission for emergency treatment and when she is asked to administer medicine to

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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 children. However, this is not always recorded effectively to contain the dosage administered. Records are maintained to ensure that the childminder has emergency contact numbers for parents should an emergency occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to visit the local park and early years groups and to play on the large apparatus. A garden is available for the children, however, this is not used every day to children's best effect. Children enjoy a variety of activities to promote their finer skills such as drawing, using puzzles and playing with a train set. The childminder ensures that the children have the opportunity to rest and sleep according to the parents wishes and their individual needs. She has a sound understanding of the children's dietary needs and discusses this with parents before minding commences. The ingredients for younger children's meals are sometimes provided by parents and the childminder then prepares these freshly each day. Children enjoy eating their snacks of fruit and breadsticks. A menu is provided which contains meals, such as, vegetable curry and yoghurt.

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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, clean and well maintained environment. Children have sufficient space to explore and play safely. Resources are easily accessible, motivating and suitable for the children's age and stage of development. The majority of play takes place in the living room. Children freely access resources, for example, the books which are laid out for children to choose at low-level and they make requests to look at the pictures and listen to stories. They enjoy being with the childminder, cuddling up on an armchair. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety. The childminder has fitted stair gates in place for the stairs and the kitchen to prevent access. A fire blanket, smoke detectors and regular emergency fire practice ensures the children's safety and wellbeing. When out in the community, the childminder uses reins for walking children and reminds them about road safety to develop their awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded, because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and is clear regarding her responsibilities and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. The childminder has written child protection procedures, however, she is not yet familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and they are happy, settled and relaxed in her company. She provides a sound range of activities in the home and takes children to local groups and facilities to extend their social skills and knowledge of their community. At these groups they take part in activities, such as, sand and water play and painting. Resources reflect a variety of cultural backgrounds and abilities. For example, there are small play figures which display an elderly lady with a Zimmer frame and young woman in a wheelchair. The childminder talks about these people with the children to encourage their awareness and understanding. The children spend time with the childminder learning, numbers, colours and shapes when they look at the 'Thomas the Tank Engine' book together. The childminder reinforces the children's learning by repeating the words they say, such as, 'socks' 'ladybird' and 'three teddies' and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

praises them for their achievements. However, sometimes these observations are not always extended sufficiently to encourage children to develop their ideas and vocabulary.

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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 The children respond well to the childminders care and are happy and comfortable with her. Children enjoy making decisions about their play as they choose from a range of activities that enable them to explore and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats children with respect because she keeps records of dietary and medical needs to ensure that children's needs are met. Resources and play materials depict positive images, for example, puzzles, books and play people. The childminder provides activities to help children to understand about various celebrations and cultural events, such as, Father's Day and Eid. The childminder demonstrates that she is aware of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works with parents and other professionals to support the needs of children. Children are well behaved and this is due to the childminder's effective behaviour management. She praises children when they do well, for example, when they help clear away the toys or are polite and encourages them to say 'please' and 'thank you'. This supports their wellbeing and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a positive partnership with parents, in order to ensure that she provides appropriate care for the children. For example, parents are encouraged to settle children until they feel secure. She has clear procedures in place to keep parents informed about her provision, and provides parents with verbal feedback at the end of day. This helps parents feel part of the child's day and sometimes this includes a telephone call to talk to the child to ask them about their play. The childminder has written procedures which she shares with parents and these include a child protection and complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are secure because the environment is well organised. Children's welfare, development and wellbeing benefit because the childminder has attended additional training to develop her knowledge and understanding. These have included Safeguarding Children, Behaviour Management and supporting children with additional needs.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe due to all adults in the home being vetted. Children's welfare is generally well safeguarded and the majority of documentation is in place, well organised and accessible. However, the childminder needs to ensure that all medication administered to children is correctly recorded. The child protection policy is in need of updating in line with recent guidance and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 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): • ensure that all medicines administered to children are recorded correctly with sufficient information to safeguard the welfare of children • provide further opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills and to extend their understanding and self expression.

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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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