Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY357242 Inspection date 13/05/2008 Inspector Amanda Gill

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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 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 2007. She lives with her three children, aged 14, 10 and two years, in a four bedroom semidetached house within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has three children under eight years of age on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/ toddler group. The family have pet fish in a large tank in the house and one pet family cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with a very clean, hygienic and well organised environment in which they can play and learn. As play areas are clean and hygienically maintained, they can be explored by children with little risk to their well- being as there is a reduced risk of the spread of infection. The childminder is aware of appropriate exclusion times for children when they have a contagious illness and provides parents with a well written exclusion policy, which she agrees with them prior to minding. The childminder is confident in her ability to deal with minor accidents or medical emergencies and has a current first aid certificate and a comprehensive first aid kit which is checked and restocked when appropriate. The childminder has excellent written procedures in place for recording accidents and the administering of medication. Although the childminder did not have a separate form for each child's administered medication, she does record it thoroughly in the

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Helping children to be healthy

accident/incident book and parents sign to give her prior permission and again when the medication has been administered. Children's good health is promoted by the use of her written records. The information is shared with parents through verbal feedback at the end of each day. Children's good health is further enhanced as the childminder has obtained written permission from parents to allow her to seek any emergency medical advice and treatment that may be required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through reinforced daily routines. They know, for example, that by washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating they will be both clean and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet which is provided by the childminder, mainly consisting of home-made dishes. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy eating because they receive nutritious freshly prepared meals, such as roast dinners and shepherd's pie with lots of vegetables. Parents' wishes and children’s likes and dislikes are respected. Mealtimes are used as a social and relaxed time where children sit and talk to their peers and adults. Drinks are made available throughout the day and children are encouraged to help themselves from jugs of water, increasing their independence. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. Children benefit from opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and develop their physical skills. For example, they walk to and from school every day, walk to the local children's centre and library, and make good use of the nearby parks and childminding groups. Children also have access to the childminder's enclosed garden, where they enjoy bouncing on the trampoline, playing with bats and balls, pushing shopping trolleys, climbing on the plastic climbing frames and swinging on the swings. They are all able to rest and be active, according to their needs, in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a secure and well maintained environment. The main entrance has posters that reflect positive images of diversity and welcome people in many different languages. The main play area is adorned with children's work, which helps them feel valued in the environment. The home is well maintained and appropriately decorated and this helps children feel comfortable and settled. The childminder provides an environment that is warm, friendly and homely. Children are able to freely access the toys and resources. Resources on offer are in good repair, and the childminder regularly washes toys to ensure they are hygienic. They are stimulating, fun and provide sufficient challenge. The childminder rotates toys regularly to maintain children’s interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children and completes a daily risk assessment of her home. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. For example, she reminds children how to play with the toys safely and not to throw them in case they hurt someone. Whilst outdoors, she reinforces the safety messages for crossing the road safely and keeping seat belts on whilst travelling in the car. Effective fire safety precautions are implemented. These include having maintained smoke alarms on both levels of the home, an accessible fire blanket in the kitchen and a clear fire evacuation procedure, which is displayed in the kitchen and practised once a month with the children to ensure it is effective in keeping them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare well and has all the required procedures and documents in place. However, the child protection policy does not include what the childminder must do if an allegation is made against her. She has completed a child protection training course and, as a result, she is confident in her ability to deal with any child protection concerns. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and knows what procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child's welfare. These are discussed with parents prior to minding to ensure that they are aware of the childminder's role and responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local childminding groups. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys which appeal to all. Toys and resources are stored at low level and this enables children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities to promote younger children’s learning. Children enjoy the daily routine, which combines quiet times with physical experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop close, trusting relationships with each other, the childminder and her family, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem and gives them a real sense of belonging. All the children are very happy, contented and settled within the setting, as they are cared for by a very motivated and enthusiastic childminder. This helps children to become fully engaged in the activities they are completing. For example, the childminder fully supports and extends children's imagination when they play shops in the garden with a plastic shopping trolley, play food and money. Children enthusiastically tell the childminder that the eggs are £30 and credit for the mobile phone will be £50. Children are provided with an extensive range of inspiring activities and play opportunities, such as their own area in the garden to plant flowers and sow seeds, making and baking play dough, sticking and gluing collages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and experimenting with musical instruments. Consequently, children are extensively and consistently stimulated by activities provided and their interest is successfully maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good knowledge of child development and the stages at which children learn. This supports the extensive observations and assessments made by the childminder on each individual child, so that individual care and learning needs are met extremely well during activities and everyday routines. Children feel good about themselves, as they receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. They show a real interest in what they are doing as the activities provided by the childminder are varied and stimulating. For example, the older child enjoyed showing the inspector her writing book, in which she is learning to write numbers and letters in preparation for school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder also takes children to a number of local groups, so that they can interact with others from outside the setting. Children particularly enjoy attending the local children's centre and childminding network groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel greatly valued because they are treated with lots of respect. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, the children made red and white crossed cakes when celebrating St George's Day and dragons when celebrating Chinese New Year. They have access to a selection of resources to help them learn about others in the community, including books and puzzles which reflect different cultures and needs, and dressing up clothes that depict different cultures and jobs that people do. The childminder has a good selection of resources that represent positive images of individuals with a disability and an appropriate equal opportunities policy. She teaches children to care for one another and not discriminate against others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children behave extremely well. The extremely calm and patient approach of the childminder helps the children to clearly understand right from wrong and the consequences of their actions. Full explanations are given to children as the childminder sets consistent boundaries and implements house rules, which helps them to learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. Praise is consistently given, ensuring that they develop confidence and self-esteem and understand that they have done well. The childminder meets the children's needs well and follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder encourages children to take turns and share. She uses a time limit when playing with specific toys so that all children receive a fair go. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents complete a very comprehensive form on entry that details the children's likes and dislikes, their habits, allergies, childhood illnesses, achievements and family history. This enables the childminder to have a full understanding of all the children and their individual personalities when they register for her service. The childminder has devised comprehensive and clear policies and procedures and practices reflect these. This includes a complaints procedure which informs parents of how to raise a complaint and the process they need to go through.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from spending time at the childminder's home because they are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. This is achieved through the positive and professional partnerships that the childminder has established with parents. Children's individual needs are met as there is an effective verbal communication system in place. Parents value the service provided by the childminder. They have access to the childminder's policies and procedures, so they have a good understanding of her work.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very motivated and committed childminder in her safe and welcoming home. Children are well supervised by the childminder and feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed first aid training and has attended an extensive number of other relevant courses, such as fire safety awareness and child protection. She has also attended further specific training to ensure that she is up-to-date with current legislation and methods of working, such the new Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised and kept up-to-date. It is stored appropriately, with confidentiality in mind. The daily attendance register is suitably completed, meaning that children's welfare is maintained at all times. Visitors to the setting are asked for identification and are not left alone with minded children at any time.

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Organisation

The childminder efficiently uses policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's activities and the service she provides. Daily routines contribute to continuity in the children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints about the childcare provision

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 about the childcare provision

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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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?

 ensure all required signatures of parental consent are obtained  update the child protection policy to include what the childminder must do if an allegation is made against her

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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