Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY319826 Inspection date 19 June 2006 Inspector Patricia Mary Champion

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 years. They live in a bungalow in a residential area within walking distance of schools, shops and the railway station in South Woodham Ferrers. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged two years during the day and three children aged over eight years after school or during the school holidays. The childminder

p.2

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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets. The childminder meets with other childminders on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows sound hygiene procedures. Individual flannels for each child are used to avoid cross-infection and the childminder washes her hands after nappy changing. There are clearly written guidelines regarding the care of sick children within the contracts and paperwork is in place to record any accidents or when medication is given. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. However, the children's welfare is not fully protected because she has not yet requested parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. Children benefit from a healthy diet provided by parents and supported by the childminder. They have access to drinks at all times so that they do not become thirsty or dehydrated. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices such as eating fruit for snacks between meals. The childminder gathers information about any

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

allergies or special dietary requirements to ensure that individual needs are met. Children exercise and develop physical skills and coordination when they play outside, either in the garden or at the local park. They can rest or sleep according to their needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean, comfortable and generally safe environment. They enjoy playing with an adequate range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are appropriate for their stages of development. Suitable safety equipment such as safety gates, fireguard and socket covers are in place to minimise the risk of accidents. The childminder is vigilant about the children's security and keeps her front door locked at all times. However, children's safety is potentially compromised as there is a gap where fencing is broken and the childminder has not yet completed a risk assessment regarding the large trampoline in her rear garden. Children learn about their own personal safety when the childminder reminds them not to run indoors and to take care when they play energetically. The childminder has put thought into written policies that cover emergencies and contingency

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

arrangements. Although she has written procedures that cover how to evacuate the house in an emergency, the children are not fully aware of these safety measures because she has not yet practised the fire drill with them.

p.3

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 safeguarded as the childminder has a satisfactory awareness of her child protection responsibilities. She knows the action to take if she has any concerns about a child's well-being, but has not yet seen the current recommended literature regarding child protection procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with play opportunities they find interesting and enjoyable. They make choices as they select from the toy boxes in the living room. They show excitement when they see their favourite television characters and dance along to music. Interaction between the childminder and children is lively and friendly. Plenty of encouragement is given to raise self-esteem when children are completing jigsaw puzzles. Language and vocabulary is developed as the childminder and children play together sorting shapes, counting and recognising colours. The childminder has not yet seen the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her plan activities to support further the development of the youngest children in her care. Children enjoy a range of interesting outings to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. They walk to the local library and the park and during the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

school holidays children visit the cinema or go to the beach to collect shells. The childminder meets regularly with other childminders so that children can take part in social activities and they learn to share and take turns with toys.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and feel at home in the family environment. Their behaviour is managed positively and consistently to help them learn right from wrong. They are kept busy and interested in their play. The childminder understands that some children may have additional needs and she ensures that all children in her care receive appropriate support. Children become aware of wider society because there are a few toys and books which show positive images so that children learn about diversity and respect the differences and needs of others. Children benefit as the childminder builds friendly and helpful relationships with parents. She offers flexible part-time care to cover the working needs of parents. Information is gathered about each child so that happy relationships are formed and children settle quickly. The childminder has not yet devised a complaints record that

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled and can play, rest and sleep in comfort in the well organised environment. The daily routine is organised around collecting children from

p.4

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 pre-school and school. There are opportunities for children to have one-to-one support during the day when the childminder spends time playing and talking to them. The childminder uses information from her first aid training to support her childcare practice and she is currently attending childminder training. The required documentation to ensure the efficient and safe management of the childminding provision is mostly in place. The childminder has started writing policies and procedures that cover all aspects of the care she provides. Records are stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. Overall children's needs are met.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • request parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • practise emergency evacuation procedures with the children • assess the risks to children in relation to the trampoline and the gap in the fencing and take action to minimise these • devise a record of complaints that can be shared with parents.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6