Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257497 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2006 Inspection date Jima Fotopoulou 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and three years. They live in a residential area of Harlow, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat and fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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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 learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's established routines. They are aware that they need to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet or after messy play in order to keep themselves clean and healthy. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands after having fed the family pets and she carries wipes with her when taking children on outings to ensure that they remain clean and healthy at all times. Younger children's health and well-being is protected as the childminder has effective procedures in place for changing nappies which include wearing gloves and wiping the changing mat down after each use to protect children from cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced and healthy diet which is nutritious and promotes children's well-being. For example, children are provided with a wide variety of fruit such as pineapples, pears or kiwi for snack and they enjoy homemade sandwiches with a variety of fillings and yoghurts for lunch. The childminder is aware of any allergies and specific dietary requirements and liaises effectively with the parents to ensure that these are met. Children are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits as the childminder discusses the nutritional value of healthy food with the children and encourages them to try out new types of food. Children have their meals sitting together which means that the childminder is aware of the social aspect of meal times. Drinks are readily available to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

All health related documentation such as a medication book and appropriate parental consents are in place to support the childminder and ensure that children are protected from illness effectively. The childminder has a detailed written sick child policy in place which parents have signed to say that they have read and understood, in order to protect children's health from cross-infections and contamination. The childminder has obtained a first aid certificate to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of emergency. Children can sleep or rest according to needs. They are provided with their own bedding and towels which means that their health is protected in the childminder's home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy access to a safe and secure garden with a wide range of outdoor play equipment which helps children develop their physical skills. For example, children are provided with scooters and child size climbing frames which help children develop their balance and spatial awareness. The childminder takes children on outings such as nature walks or visiting the local park which means that they have plenty of opportunities to play in the fresh air. The childminder has obtained appropriate parental consent to ensure that parents are kept fully informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy access to a safe and well-coming environment. The childminder carries out daily risk assessments in order to ensure children's safety. Toys and resources are stored safely in child height which means that children's independence is fostered. The childminder is very vigilant and ensures that all toys and equipment are checked regularly for safety and cleanliness.

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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 This means that children can play and learn in safety and comfort. Younger children's safety is promoted as the childminder ensures that unsuitable toys for this age group are kept out of the reach of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe indoors as the childminder has all the required fire safety equipment in place such as a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms on both floors. The childminder checks the smoke alarms regularly to ensure that they remain in good working order. The childminder has thought through a fire evacuation procedure in order to ensure children's safety. She helps children develop their awareness of fire safety by having discussed the fire evacuation procedure with them. Children are kept safe round the family pets as the childminder supervises the children at all times. All safety related documentation such as an accident book is in place to support the childminder and ensures that parents are kept fully informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy going on regular outings with the childminder. Children's safety is promoted effectively as the childminder carries out a risk assessment prior to allowing children to use any equipment. She carries parental contact details with her at all times to ensure that parents can be contacted immediately in case of an emergency. The childminder ensures children's health and safety by carrying a first aid box with her when taking children out and about.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and she recognises signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect which means that children are safe in her care. She is aware of current procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns and she has a child protection policy in place which outlines her responsibilities towards the children. The childminder shares her policy with the parents in their initial visit to ensure the children's safety in the setting. Children are protected from unvetted people as the childminder only releases children to their parents or people nominated by them. She requests to meet beforehand any persons other than the parents who collect children in her care and she has a password system in place as an extra security measure. This ensures that children are kept safe in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have access to a wide range of toys and resources both indoors and outdoors which helps them develop their skills through play. Toys and resources are easily accessible. Children are able to use their initiative as they choose freely their play materials and their choices are respected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in meaningful activities which help them develop their imagination, hand and eye coordination and develop language and mathematical skills. For example, children engage in pretend play such as going to the "office" for "work". They have access to appropriate toys and resources such as a telephone and a keyboard for typing as well as dressing up materials such as ties in order to help them engage in role play. Children are encouraged to learn through play. The childminder takes up every opportunity to help children use numbers for example, by counting how many building blocks they used to make their towers. Children are provided with first hand experiences which build on their natural curiosity as learners and help them develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. For example, children have fun playing with ice cubes. The childminder uses appropriate questioning in order to help children express

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 how it feels holding the ice cubes and what effects they could observe after having played with them for a while. Children showed great interest in the activity which provides them with good opportunities to develop their senses and their observational skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans the activities beforehand to ensure that children can play and learn in the setting. She encourages children to express their creativity by providing them with a wide variety of media in order to create paintings, collages and drawings. Children's work is very nicely displayed on the walls which helps them feel valued. The childminder supports children's play as she sits at their level engaging in their games. She ensures that children have access to the resources they need in order to engage in play such as providing children with cupboards in order for them to build a pirates' ship. Younger children are provided with good quality sensory activities such as bottles filled with different kinds of fluids or natural materials. Children's confidence and self-esteem is actively promoted as the childminder uses praise in order to motivate and encourage children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with respect which helps them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and has a positive attitude towards diversity which means that all children are included in the setting. Children are helped to develop their awareness of the wider community through discussions, visits to the local area and resources such as books and puzzles. The childminder ensures that all children, regardless of their gender, have access to the same play materials which helps children avoid gender stereotypes. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy in place in order to support her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is committed in offering appropriate care and helping children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to reach their full potential. The childminder uses praise and encouragement in order to motivate and encourage children to behave well. She uses age-appropriate and effective techniques in managing challenging behaviour such as distraction and discussion. The childminder has a behaviour management policy in place which she shares with the parents in their initial visit in order to support her practice. She has an incident book in place, as required, in order to ensure that parents are kept fully informed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges both verbal and written information with them in order to ensure continuity of care between the setting and the children's home. Parents are requested to sign to say that they have read and understood her policies and procedures in order to ensure that they are fully aware about the setting prior placing their children in her care. The childminder is aware of the changes in regulations regarding the recording of complaints and she has systems in place such as a complaints log to ensure that any complaints will be dealt with effectively. Parents are kept informed about the contact details of the regulator in case they wish to express any concerns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has contracts in place and keeps complete child records to ensure that children are being cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled and benefit from a homely and well-organised environment which helps them feel safe and promotes their confidence and independence. The range and quality of the activities both indoors and outdoors is good for all children and promotes their learning and play.

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Organisation

All required documentation such as medication, accident and incident books as well as all required parental consents is in place to support the childminder and ensure that parents are kept fully informed. The childminder has devised policies and procedures such as a sick child policy, child protection policy and equal opportunities policy in order to support her practice. All adults living or working in the setting have been vetted which ensures children's safety. The childminder, however, did not inform Ofsted of significant events, as required by the National Standards.

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Organisation

The childminder's effective procedures, good working relationships with the parents and her friendly and warm approach ensure that children's individual needs are met. Confidentiality is maintained and existing files are stored safely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that there is a system in place for dealing with allegations of abuse made while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a child protection policy in place to ensure that any allegations of abuse will be dealt with effectively. The childminder is aware of the appropriate actions to take as well as where to seek advise regarding child protection concerns which ensures children's safety in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since last inspection.

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Complaints 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • ensure that Ofsted is informed of any significant events.

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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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