Childminder in Havering

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305244 Inspection date 26 September 2005 Inspector Christine Eglinton

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and one adult child and one aged 10 years in a house in Collier Row Romford Essex. The childminder prefers to use the ground floor area for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for one child under five years four days a week. The childminder mainly walks to the local school to collect children and 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 benefit from playing in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. Effective daily routines, and the childminder's own good practise helps prevent the risk of cross infection. For example, children have their own individual towels. Children are helped to understand that covering their mouth when they sneeze, and washing their hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet, reduces the risk of passing on germs. Although the childminder has a written sick procedure in place, this has not been discussed with parents. This may result in the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she is able to give children appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior consent for the childminder to administer medication however, parents are not always signing the medication record to acknowledge they have been informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's fine motor skills are developing well. They use a range of small tools when playing with the play dough, such as cutters and rollers, and use a range of equipment including swings, slide, and climbing frame during outings to the local park. This helps to develop children's balance and co-ordination, and contributes towards keeping them healthy. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history, to ensure children's individual dietary and medical needs are met. Children receive a healthy range of snacks which include fresh fruit, and are helped to understand foods that are good for them through regular informal discussions. For example, they talk about their favourite pizza toppings with the childminder, who uses her own examples of her favourite vegetables, when making pretend play dough pizza. Children can help themselves to a drink whenever they need one, which encourages

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Helping children to be healthy

children to think about their personal needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised the space within her home effectively to enable children to move around and play safely. She has created a welcoming and child friendly environment, where toys and resources are selected carefully, to ensure they are appropriate to children's age and stage of development. Children are able to choose their own toys, from a well equipped play room, which enables them to make decisions during their play. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers and locks on low-level kitchen cupboards, containing hazardous items, help to reduce the risk of injury to children. Regular visual checks of toys and resources, ensure

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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 there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children are beginning to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, through gentle reminders. They understand that accidents may happen if they go too fast on their bikes, and possible consequences of not sitting properly on a chair. There are good systems in place to ensure children are only collected by known and approved adults. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, she does not have copies of the local Child Protection Committee's procedures, and relevant Government guidance booklet, to ensure she is fully conversant with all appropriate procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and learn from a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced. The childminder provides a good balanced range of activities which include lots of physical exercise, and periods of relaxing activities. For example, they enjoy playing ball games in the garden, and sitting quietly painting or watching their favourite children's video. Children are able to take the initiative in their play and learning, and confidently choose their own toys and equipment. The childminder has developed a relaxed and supportive relationship with the children, and children talk happily about their family and things that are important to them, such as their friends and forthcoming birthdays. They are able to bring their special toys from home which helps children to feel settled and confident. The childminder engages children well during their play and extends their learning by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

using every day activities to help develop children's counting skills, and helps them recognise shapes. For example, children are able to confidently count objects within the home, and recognise shapes in the posters displayed in the play room. They take great pleasure in experimenting with different colours, when they mix paints together and are learning about different shades of colours. Children are encouraged to develop their creativity and imagination when they explore sponge painting, and make and decorate play dough birthday cakes. The childminder talks to the children about their paintings, and their drawings on the chalk board, which shows she values what they do. Children benefit from regular visits to the local support groups, where they learn to socialise with other children and adults.The childminder helps children learn about the local environment when she takes children to the local park and visits local

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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 The provision is good. The childminder encourages children to participate in the activities she provides, which ensures children have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. The childminder provides resources and play equipment which reflect positive images of all aspects of society, which includes posters showing different languages. This helps children to learn to acknowledge and accept differences. The childminder makes expectations of behaviour clear, and gives reasons for requests which help children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable. This helps children to behave well, and helps them understand right from wrong. Children learn important social skills such as taking turns, when they help the childminder tidy away the toys. The childminder treats children in a considerate and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respectful manner, and they respond by being polite and thank her when she helps them. Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children to the childminder, which helps to ensure they receive individual care and attention. Daily feedback about their child's day, provides children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has organised the play space, toys, and equipment, within her home very effectively. This enables children to play and explore freely without any restrictions. She has organised an inviting play room, where children feel at home and at ease. The childminder organises her time well, which enables her to offer children good individual support during their play and daily routines. They take great pleasure in each others company, and children are well supervised at all times, to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The childminder has attended appropriate training to enable her to provide good care for the children. Information kept about the children is relevant, and all mandatory records are in place, which helps to promote children's welfare. The childminder has devised a range of written policies and procedures to guide her in daily practice. However, she has not shared these with the parents and therefore parents may have less

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Organisation

opportunity of being fully informed of the overall service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 There are no complaints to report

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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 appropriate Government Child Protection booklet and current local Area Child Protection Committee procedures • make sure parents are made fully aware of the sick child procedure and sign administered medication records

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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