Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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560253 Unique Reference Number 27 April 2006 Inspection date Lynn Denise Smith Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 years in Colchester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups, takes children to the library and takes children to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, three of whom are aged under eight years on a part time basis.

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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 stay healthy when they are cared for by the childminder as she encourages them to follow clear health and hygiene practices such as hand washing after using the toilet and before meals. They are encouraged to brush their teeth if they want to and clear explanations are given by the childminder as to the importance of these practices. Children's medical needs are well-met as this experienced childminder uses her first aid knowledge to deal with minor injuries. Their accident and medication needs are well-documented and shared with their parents, however, their medical needs are compromised as the childminder does not have the parent's written consent to seek emergency medical treatment. A verbal sickness policy between the childminder and parents ensures that children who have developed anything contagious are kept at home for the required amount of time to reduce the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily access to fresh air when they use the garden, go for walks to the park or beach. Fresh air is an important aspect of the children's day and they are encouraged to play in the garden as often as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well-met as the parents and childminder work together to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. Children who have allergies or special dietary needs are cared for by the childminder obtaining written information from the parents about each child's needs. Children staying with the childminder over the lunchtime period bring a packed lunch with them which is appropriately stored in the fridge to keep it fresh. Children have regular drinks whilst they are at the childminder's house and all sit together at meal times.

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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 very bright, welcoming and well-organised home. They freely access the lounge, dining area and conservatory which leads out to the fully enclosed and interesting garden. The way in which the childminder's home has been organised enables children to participate in a number of different activities at the same time, for example, children can play with small intricate toys at the table or set out large construction or train sets on the lounge floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely access a good range of toys and play equipment which the childminder sets out each day. There is a huge range of toys for the children to choose from which are mostly kept in a cupboard which is easily accessible from the lounge. Children play with clean toys and play equipment as the childminder has a procedure for cleaning all toys approximately once a month.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep safe as they follow the childminder's clear directions, such as not climbing on the furniture and holding on to the buggy when they walk along the road. Children have a good understanding of road safety as they all walk together and try to use the 'lolly-pop' ladies and men wherever possible. Younger children's safety is compromised as the childminder currently stores some cleaning materials in low level cupboards in the kitchen.

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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 Children are protected from potential harm as the childminder has a very sound knowledge of child protection issues. Her knowledge has been updated and supported by a recent training course and she feels confident about dealing with child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with this childminder as they become fully engrossed in a good range of purposeful activities. They have excellent opportunities to make decisions about their free play as well as following the childminder's suggestions for more structured play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children actively play in a well-equipped garden, they make good use of the beach, parks and the local library. They learn about their environment when they go for walks and collect items of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attend lots of toddler groups, singing groups and a fun story session once a week at the library whereby they have opportunities to develop their listening skills. The children's social skills progress effectively as they have many opportunities to meet with other children, for example, when the local childminding groups meets up and when they go to local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with warm and affectionate cuddles from the childminder, as she develops close and caring relationships with them. Their language skills are extended by the childminder responding affectionately to babies sounds and naming items around the room. Good eye contact is made when the childminder cuddles younger children to ensure they feel safe and protected in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and content in the childminder's care, as she spends valuable time getting to know about their likes, dislikes and individual needs before she commences caring for them. Their parents provide the childminder with important information about their care and daily routine and the childminder follows this pattern. Children have good opportunities to learn about other people's differing needs when they play with a range of resources which reflect equal opportunities. They use books from the library to extend their learning and talk between themselves about festivals and special occasions. All children within the childminder's care are valued and their individual or specific needs respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-behaved as they follow the childminder's clear boundaries and directions. They learn about being nice to each other and cooperating through playing together in a calm and relaxed environment. Children's behaviour is dealt with by the childminder sharing her written behaviour management policy with the parents and agreeing a consistent and fair approach.

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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 Children benefit from the close relationship the parents and childminder have developed. Good verbal communication enables the childminder to keep up to date with any changes and informs the parents about their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a very experienced and well-studied childminder, who continuously updates her childcare knowledge through training courses. She provides local families with a professional, yet friendly childminding service and reviews her provision to ensure she is meeting all of the needs of the families who use her service.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in small groups, which enables the childminder to provide them with some individual care as well as some group times whereby three or four children are together at the same time. Their attendance is well-recorded and clearly identifies the time and dates children attend.

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Organisation

Excellently maintained and presented records and written policies support the children's care. They are regularly reviewed to ensure that the families changing needs are acknowledged and that the childminder remains able to meet their needs effectively.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration 1 April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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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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):

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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 • obtain the parent's written consent to seek emergency treatment • minimise the risk to children regarding cleaning materials.

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The quality and standards of the care

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 2599) 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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