Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245543 Unique Reference Number 07 September 2006 Inspection date Lynda Jean 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 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 January 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, 12 and 14 years old. They live in the St. John's area of Colchester, close to shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. 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 is currently minding five children all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a guinea pig. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children's healthy growth and development is promoted by the childminder as she gathers information from parents about any dietary needs they have and ensures these are adhered to. They are provided with a variety of nutritious food and drinks which are essential for their good health, such as fruit for snack and granary bread in their sandwiches.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is promoted as they have access to the garden, park and walks around the local community which help to develop strong muscles and bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the spread of illness and infection as the childminder has a procedure about the exclusion of children who may be ill, which is shared with parents. They are cared for in a home which is clean and hygienic. Children are learning about personal hygiene as the childminder encourages them to understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet to help to maintain their good health. A first aid kit is readily accessible and the childminder has completed a first aid course which ensures she can deal with any accidents appropriately thereby promoting children's well-being. Medical records are kept, however, not all children have written permission in place from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advise and treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well as the childminder has completed a child protection course and has all the required documents. She has a clear understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practise when necessary to protect children from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a welcoming and reasonably safe home environment with the childminder ensuring that safety measure such as smoke alarms and fire blankets are in place to minimise hazards to children in the event of a fire. However, children's safety and security is at risk as the premises are not kept locked to prevent children leaving unsupervised, unprotected electric sockets and hazards in the garage are accessible to them. Children are beginning to have an understanding of keeping themselves safe on outings when walking to and from school with the childminder as they practice the 'green cross code'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop their independence as they select activities from the range of safe toys and resources provided which are presented at low level. The childminder regularly checks the toys and removes any damaged items from use.

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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 satisfactory. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources. The childminder plans a range of activities which provides opportunities to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities, such as going on outings to the local park to use the climbing equipment and play football. Children's creative development is encouraged through a range of craft activities when they are able to draw, cut and stick and make cards to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays. Children are developing their independence skills as they are able to freely access the toys stored around the home at low level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children feel valued as the childminder listens to them, she spends time talking about what they are doing and what they have done during the day at school. On arrival at the childminder's home after school children are able to 'chilli out' watching television, reading, play with the range of toys available or playing in the garden until they go home, which allows them to relax after working at school during the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals. They are cared for by the childminder who spends time getting to know their likes, dislikes and backgrounds. Their individual needs are met as the childminder gathers information from the parents recording this in her paperwork. The childminder has an understanding of the range of needs children may have. Children have some opportunities to experience the wider world through outings in the local community. They are encouraged to value each other's similarities and differences which is promoted through the toys and resources which offer a positive image of diversity. Children are learning about good behaviour as the childminder gives praise and encouragement, they are encouraged to share toys and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has a good relationship with parents, which helps children feel secure. Children have settling-in visits with the childminder which helps them feel confident in her care when parents leave them for the first time. They benefit from the good methods of ongoing communication between the childminder and their parents. For example, the childminder gives daily feedback to parents, ensuring any messages from school are relayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for and supported by the childminder as she makes appropriate use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to independently access toys and equipment and the childminder organises her home to ensure that all the necessary facilities are available.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted by the childminder's records. She understands the importance of keeping her paperwork in good order and up to date. The children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who continues to update her knowledge by attending training.

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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 Children have continuing support from the childminder to feel secure and confident as she ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained. Children are safe and protected from any adult who has not been vetted. The childminder ensures she supervises children closely when on outings and that all adults living in the household have been vetted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has provided puzzles and books which offer children positive images of diversity helping to develop children's understanding of similarities and differences between each other. She has obtained the required documents relating to child protection to ensure she can put appropriate procedures into practise when necessary to protect children from harm. Some improvement has been made to protect children from the dangers of low level glass with the childminder fitting safety film to nearly all the doors.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints reported to Ofsted 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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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): • obtain permission from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advise or treatment • ensure that the premises are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised • ensure electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers • ensure the garage is inaccessible to children to protect them from hazards.

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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 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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