Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 404190 Inspection date 26 April 2006 Inspector Tina Anne Mason

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two children aged seventeen and twenty in Grays, Essex. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house is used 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 minding four children under eight before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group, she has two pet cats.

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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 The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home and are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They follow clear and consistent routines such as washing their hands after having been to the toilet and before eating food, which is promoting their health. Children are effectively protected from cross infection by the very good standards of hygiene maintained by the childminder within her home. Children's good health and general well-being is promoted by the childminder's sound knowledge of first aid, which is supported by a current first aid certificate, an accessible well stocked first aid kit and a comprehensive sick child policy and procedure. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They can help themselves to drinking water or juice from their accessible cups and beakers throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and

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Helping children to be healthy

carers and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. Children have continued opportunities to experience outdoor play and they benefit from the good range of physical play activities which the childminder provides, ensuring that they benefit from regular exercise and fresh air.

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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 safe and secure home where hazards are minimised and various precautions are in place to protect them. For example, frequent risk assessments are carried out. Children are therefore, able to move around the environment safely and freely. Good fire procedures are in place and children are beginning to learn the importance of fire drills and how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Children independently select activities from an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder ensures activities are appropriate for the children, considering their individual needs, interests and abilities. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has good understanding of child protection procedures in line with the current guidelines.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident, happy, relaxed and engage in a wide range of purposeful and fun activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are developing independence and good self-esteem through the childminder's continual use of positive and sensitive handling. Children benefit well from the effective praise and nurturing environment created by the childminder, which contributes to their sense of belonging and security. The childminder organises a wide range of activities to meet children's individual needs. Children are provided with a variety of creative materials, such as drawing, painting, cutting and sticking,giving children the opportunity to take part in new and exciting activities and explore new language. The childminder has good working knowledge of child development, she is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but is not currently using it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder knowing them exceptionally well and responding to their personal needs. The children are learning to appreciate the world around them, through the positive attitude that the childminder shows towards others and through her understanding of equal opportunities. Children are well supported in learning how to manage their own behaviour. Appropriate expectations and the childminder's use of verbal praise and positive reinforcement are effective and build children’s self-esteem. Relationships with parents are excellent and the childminder works hard to ensure a proactive and supportive partnership between herself and the families of the children in her care. The childminder keeps parents and carers informed daily about activities, routines, sleep patterns and meal times. However the childminder does not have a complaints procedure which is shared with parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has created a well organised physical environment, making best use of space available to support children's care, learning and play needs. Children are kept safe, good systems are in place to ensure that all adults in the household are vetted and children are never left with unregistered persons. The childminder ensures that she works within the conditions of her registration at all times. The daily record of children's attendance clearly details times of arrival and departure.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 A good range of written records are suitably organised and effective in supporting the childminding practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to carry out the following recommendations. To ensure that resources are available which reflect positive images of culture and disability, to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to minimise hazards to children, both inside and outside (cleaning agents, plastic carrier bags and a sharp metal pole) to maintain written contracts with parents and review these regularly and make sure that low-level glass panels are safe or inaccessible. The childminder has increased the play equipment provided, thereby helping children develop their awareness of culture and disability. Written contracts are now in place and these are reviewed on a annual basis which ensures the childminder works in partnership with parents and carers. Hazards to children, both inside and outside the premises have been removed, cleaning agents are now stored out of children's reach

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Improvements since the last inspection

along with plastic carrier bags, the large metal pole has been removed from the premises and the glass mirror is now housed in an upstairs bedroom, where children have no access. This ensures children's well-being is safeguarded

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted. 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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' • implement a complaints procedure to be shared with parents and carers.

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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 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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