Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY260445 Inspection date 02 November 2005 Inspector Carol Brown

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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 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 has been registered since August 2003, She lives in a 3 bedroom house with her 4 children, 2 are adult, 1 is 15 years old and 1 is 11 years of age. They live in the Walthamstow area of the London borough of Waltham Forest. Minded children have access to the ground floor sitting room, kitchen/dining room and toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under the age of 8 years and is currently caring for 1 child on a full time basis and the child's 2 siblings on a flexible

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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 basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a reasonably diverse range of activities, which contribute to their health. These include regular trips to local parks, drop in groups and walks to the local school. Children do not have access to the rear garden as the childminder has risk assessed this area and deemed it not to be suitable. Children are cared for in a clean home and are encouraged to wash their hands before meals. Parents are required to give written consent for the childminder to administer medication. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a reasonable understanding of the ways in which to protect children from the spread of infection through effective hygiene practices. This includes ensuring that the family dog is fed when children are not present. Children benefit from a healthy, balanced diet and have access to drinks at all times. Parents are consulted about their children's dietary requirements and the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

provides parents with written menus and details of their child's food intake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where risks are identified and minimised, for example there are safety catches on low level kitchen units. Younger children do not have access to small objects as the childminder is vigilant about the resources they use. Children are learning about personal safety as the childminder explains safety issues to them both inside and out of the home, for example sitting correctly on a dining room chair. Children are able to move around safely and independently. Younger children are able to have an undisturbed rest in the sitting room. The children are learning about the care of animals as the childminder talks to them about being kind to the family dog. Children have access to a varied range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children are well protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

physical and emotional signs, which may be indicative of child protection issues in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminders home. They have opportunities to socialise

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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 with other children because the childminder takes them to local drop in groups and on trips to toy and book libraries and local parks. Children are actively engaged and interested in activities provided and involve adults in their play, for example sharing play dough and offering dolls to be cuddled. Children are able to explore and investigate and as a result are becoming competent learners. Children enjoy the company of the childminder as she provides them with a varied and stimulating range of age appropriate activities and offers them praise and encouragement. Children’s language development is supported as the childminder narrates situations for them and encourages them to name familiar objects. Younger children’s learning is reasonably well supported however this could be further developed through the use

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a reasonable range of resources and activities, which helps them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider community. These include books, puzzles and small world figures. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder respects parents wishes, which enables her to provide appropriate care. Children’s behaviour is generally good. This is as a result of the childminder developing effective strategies to manage their behaviour, which takes into account their age, stage of development and level of understanding. Partnership with parents is good. Parents are provided with a range of written information relating to the services provided by the childminder. Parents are informed on a daily basis as to the activities their children have been engaged in and any other relevant information, for example their food intake and sleep patterns. Children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

settled into the childminders home gradually as she operates a settling in period.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children feel secure within a reasonably well organised environment. They are confident to make demands on the childminder in the knowledge that their needs will be appropriately met. The majority of the information relating to the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare, however registers do not always accurately reflect the children’s arrival and departure times. There are systems in place to keep children safe and enable them to make progress. Children’s care and development is supported through the childminders commitment to develop her knowledge, especially in relation to the care of children under the age of three years. Parents are provided with regular verbal information as to their children’s progress.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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 registers are accurately maintained • develop knowledge in relation to the Birth to 3 Matters framework

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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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