Childminder in Hackney

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307329 Inspection date 11/01/2006 Inspector Maxine Rose

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Type of inspection Care Type of care Childminding

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Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be freely reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided the source and date of publication are stated.

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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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The provider must give a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must give a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Day Care and Childminding (inspection) (England) Regulations 2005 No 2300 Regulations 5 and 6).

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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 2004. She lives with her five year old daughter in the Stoke Newington area of Hackney. The whole first floor of the childminder’s two- bedroom flat is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept healthy through being cared for in a clean environment with good measures in place to prevent the spread of cross infection. All work and eating surfaces are kept clean throughout the day. Children receive a balanced diet which includes fresh fruit, vegetables and drinking water during and between meals. Children's health is safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge of first aid and how to administer medicines safely although there is no consent for emergency treatment. The children's health is further enhanced by their regular visits to places in the locality where they use a range of balancing equipment, tricycles, climbing apparatus and push and pull toys to strengthen their bodies. Indoors, the children use a range of equipment to develop their fine motor skills and coordination. The children enjoy building with magnetic bricks and drawing using crayons.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are kept safe and protected by the childminder who closely supervises their daily activities. Some effective measures are in place to minimise hazards such as using stair gates to create boundaries in the home and installing a smoke alarm to protect children from serious harm. Some fire safety procedures are not implemented fully, namely, the fire evacuation procedure. This compromises the children's safety. The children enjoy a range of activities in an environment that is well organised. They access resources very easily from the practical storage equipment that are suitably arranged in boxes, low level shelving or on the mat. The children receive consistent care and protection from clear procedures governing their arrival and collection. At the end of the day the children are received into the care of a known adult. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and the importance of reporting and recording concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children relate well to the childminder and are relaxed in their surroundings. Their individual needs for sleep, rest and play are programmed well into their daily routine this increases their sense of well being. The children access a sufficient range of play equipment and resources that help them make progress in all areas of their development such as a selection of books, construction kits and an assortment of sensory toys. The children enjoy investigating the equipment and concentrate with purpose as they learn to build with magnetic blocks. The children are developing their communication and social skills as they have regular opportunities to play with children of similar age as they attend local children's groups. The children have the chance to use their imagination and develop their creative skills as they take part in painting, role play, music and movement. At times the daily routine does not ensure

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

that children receive effective interaction from the childminder to enhance their learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New children settle very well in the childminder's home and enjoy the warm and welcoming surroundings she provides for them. The childminder works closely with the parents to provide consistent care for the children. The children are treated with respect and their individual needs are met well by the childminder. They enjoy meals that meets their dietary requirements and have a daily routine that meets their individual needs such as sleep, rest and play. The childminder establishes a friendly professional relationship with the parents. The parents are able to spend time in the setting to discuss the care and development of their children. The children gain a sense of belonging as they become familiar in the childminder's home and make independent choices from the interesting range of play equipment that is easily accessible to them. The children are learning about the wider community as they have good opportunities to socialise with children of the same age when they visit

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Helping children make a positive contribution

places in the locality and look at books featuring people from different cultures and abilities. They behave well and are helped to develop appropriate social skills as the childminder praises the children for sharing and turn taking with play equipment.

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Organisation

The children are provided with sufficient space within the childminder’s home to enjoy a range of activities which include looking at books, building with construction and playing with a multi gym. The children can easily access the resources that are suitably placed in boxes or on bean bags. Records about children’s care and development are kept in a confidential manner and regularly shared with parents; this ensures the children receive consistent care. Some of the procedures for ensuring the safeguard of children’s welfare are not implemented appropriately, namely, the attendance register, consent for outings and authorisation for emergency treatment. The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements, for example, the notifying of Ofsted of any changes, completing of documentation and keeping it for a period of time. The childminder is suitably trained she demonstrates a sound understanding of the National Standards and child

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Organisation

development. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection.

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Complaints about the childcare provision

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

 Provide a stimulating programme of activities to help the children make progress in all areas of their development and learning.  Ensure the attendance register is kept up to date.  Ensure parent provide authorisation for emergency treatment for children. procedures 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 2473) which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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