Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265492 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2006 Inspection date Lisa Paisley 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 outstanding. 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 three children aged 13, and 11 years in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five part time and four children over five before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog as a family pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 outstanding. Children are well protected by the childminder's consistent high standards of hygiene. They play and learn in clean and exceptionally well maintained premises. The childminder provides very good equipment for children to take care of their personal hygiene. For example, they have access to hot and cold water, foam soap, disposable wipes and hand towels. The thorough nappy changing procedures prevent the spread of infection as young children and babies have a changing mat and soiled nappies are discarded effectively. Children learn about personal care through daily routines, such as hand washing before snacks. Excellent polices and procedures are in place in the event of a child being unwell while in the childminder's care, this includes a written sickness policy and a detailed emergency plan in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive in the healthy environment where they frequently enjoy fresh air and exercise. They enjoy an extensive range of physical activities which help keep them healthy. The childminder is beginning to link in the 'Birth to three matters' for younger children, ensuring their development and good health. All children have access to physical play through the range of resources the childminder provides, which are mainly outside. They make daily trips out to the park, woods, beach, library and Hadleigh castle, promoting their physical well-being. Children have very good opportunities to rest and be active, according to their needs, in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder providing an extensive range of healthy and nutritious foods including fresh fruit and vegetables and all meals are cooked using fresh ingredients. Drinks are made available throughout the day and they choose from either fresh drinking water or fruit juice. Children are encouraged to help themselves from their own cups, increasing their independence. They sit at the dining room table where lots of conversation is encouraged, resulting in meal times being a fun and sociable experience for all the children. The childminder is comprehensive in the exchange of information with parents to ensure she meets children's individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play safely and securely within the well organised environment where children's art work is displayed. They are protected by the very good practice the childminder follows for the safe arrival and collection of children. She has clear written procedures to be followed in the event of a child being uncollected or lost. The childminder carries out very good formal written risk assessments and effective action is taken to reduce any potential risks within the home. For example, safety gates and low level sockets are in place. The home is effectively organised, resulting in the children being able to move around safely with independence and self selecting toys. Toys and equipment are thoroughly checked ensuring there are no broken parts that could harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young children’s awareness of personal safety in the home is developed through the effective supervision and gentle and clear boundaries that are set by the childminder. Excellent procedures

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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 for walking to and from school, discussions with the childminder about stranger danger and how they can keep themselves safe develop children's understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and is clear about her responsibilities in protecting children from harm. She has obtained the latest information regarding child protection and has passed this information on to parents. As a result parents are fully informed about of her role in protecting children, reassuring them of their child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and extremely confident in the childminder's home. Children are highly motivated and engrossed in the varied activities provided. They enjoy a extensive range of planned and spontaneous activities, for example children's choice, creative activities, play dough, puzzles, small world play and dressing up. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder shows interest in what they do and say by talking and listening to them, asking questions and offering suggestions. They become independent as they make choices about their play and self select toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminder and enjoy their time with her. Younger children benefit from the childminder extending her knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She is currently attending training and plans to implement the framework to extend the range of activities and play experiences that are appropriately challenging to young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem through the very good relationships they have with the childminder, other minded children and family members. Children look to the childminder for reassurance, help and assistance and she responds in a warm, caring and enthusiastic manner. Young children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder uses a range of appropriate and sensitive strategies for managing children's behaviour. All children receive regular praise and encouragement developing their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are warmly welcomed into the home as the childminder provides a very safe and secure environment, where inclusion is positively promoted. The childminder has a good practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children who require additional support. Children gain an awareness of diversity as there is a good range of activities and resources offered to children such as, dolls, books, puzzles and play people which include children with disabilities. They also celebrate a number of festivals for example, Diwali, Easter and Father's day and children have tasted food linked to other cultures. Children learn about their local community through regular trips out to the park, woods, beach, Marsh farm, 'Tropical Wings' and the local shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is extremely good and they respond well to the consistent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder, ensuring they feel confident and valued in

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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 the home. She provides an exemplary role model with her calm and gentle approach. Older children are exceptionally good with the younger children, interacting in their play and helping with daily routines. Children receive a very good level of supervision and support so that any difficulties are sorted out quickly and effectively by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the very professional, positive and flexible working relationships that the childminder has with the parents. There is good quality written information for parents and regular verbal and written communication takes place which contributes to children's continuity of care. Parents have access to relevant information about the childminder's practice, reports, policies and procedures. The childminder is committed to childminding and works hard at developing good relationships with the parents. This results in the parents having a clear understanding of her role and how children are cared for whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are empowered in the well organised, child-centred environment in which they come first. Play experiences are effectively organised to accommodate children's individual needs. Children are supervised effectively at all times and daily routines are planned to incorporate school collections and individual time with younger children. The childminder identifies areas for personal development and she ensures that she is up to date and knowledgeable of current issues to enable her to continue to provide high quality child care. The childminder updates her child care practice by attending courses such as Extending Childcare Practice (ECP). The childminder's future training plans include updating her first aid certificate and to attend child protection training.

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Organisation

The childminder has a comprehensive, informative and excellent range of policies and procedures in place that she uses to promote the care and welfare of children. Records and documentation have been effectively organised, enabling the childminder to spend her working day with the children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to extend the range of activities and resources that promote positive images of persons with disabilities. The childminder has proactively extended the range of play items that reflect disabilities to develop children's understanding of people's differing needs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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