Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

560173 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2006 Inspection date Julie Ann Birkett Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 1991. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 16, 18, 19 in the Springfield area of Chelmsford. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from cross-infection and their good health is promoted because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection. For example, she keeps kitchen surfaces clean and uses disposable wipes to clean children’s faces after meals. Children learn about personal hygiene and how to keep healthy as they wash their hands after using the toilet.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected because the childminder has attended first aid training which enables her to act appropriately in medical emergencies. However, the childminder does not have written consent from all parents and carers to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. This compromises the children’s well-being in an emergency. This procedure was a recommendation at the last inspection and remains so.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children’s parents and carers provide their children with their main meals but the childminder also provides healthy snacks of fruit. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children experience physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities to develop the children’s physical development. For example, they go for regular walks to open spaces and parks where they benefit from fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy visits to soft play centres and occasionally go swimming with the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are welcoming and friendly which fosters the children’s sense of security and belonging. Children have space to play freely and to be active or rest as they choose. Children’s safety is promoted because the childminder takes appropriate steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside, are minimised. For example, the childminder keeps the kitchen door locked to stop children’s entry.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s development is promoted appropriately because the childminder has a sufficient range of suitable toys and play materials available for indoor and outdoor play. Children’s safety is promoted because the toys and equipment are in good repair and clean.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder encourages the children to begin to understand about safety issues both within the setting and outside. For example, they discuss road safety when out walking and talk about using car seats.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has most of the required documentation to promote the children’s safety. However, she does not have a public liability insurance certificate to show parents and carers to provide them with reassurance that she is covered.

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 The childminder has an understanding of her role and responsibility regarding safeguarding children. She does not have the Government booklet ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ as a guide should she need to seek advice in this area to enable her to protect children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are confident because they are secure and settled. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement which helps them feel good about themselves. Children are encouraged to talk about what they have done and their accomplishments which further promotes confidence. For example, they proudly sing the songs they have learned at nursery. Children’s language development is also developed as they talk constantly with the childminder. They share books and laugh as they name animals after their friends and family. Children’s natural curiosity is encouraged because the childminder asks them questions to help them think and reason.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a busy time at the childminder’s home. They are provided with a good range of play opportunities and experiences that promote their development and learning. Children have time for free play as well spending time on some more adult-led activities. This is because the childminder understands that children learn through play and should enjoy their learning. The childminder provides good support for the children and she interacts with them well, playing along side them. For example, they work together on a word and picture matching game and sing songs together. Children enjoy using their imaginations as they pretend to be hairdressers and re-style the childminder’s hair.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s independence is promoted well because they have access to the toys and resources available to them. This enables them to make decisions about what they do and encourages effective play and learning because they are motivated by their own interests and ideas. For example, children get out the train set and find books on the low-level shelves to share with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in an environment where the childminder promotes equality of opportunity for all children. Children’s individual needs are met because the childminder gets to know the children well. Children learn about the wider world and our differences and similarities through everyday opportunities and discussion with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they are given clear and consistent boundaries by the childminder. Children’s social skills are developed when they all eat together at meal times and learn to share and take turns. The children are polite and helpful and learn to show consideration for others and their environment. For example, they know they have to tidy toys away before getting out more.

p.4

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 children feel a sense of belonging because the childminder makes them feel at home. They talk about their friends who they play with at the childminder’s home and where they go together. Children develop good relationships with the childminder and the other children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with parents and carers to enable the children to settle well and to ensure children’s are cared for with consistency. The childminder makes time each day to speak to parents and carers to share information about their child’s day so that they are informed.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are protected because the childminder has undergone the appropriate checks to ensure that she is suitable to look after children. Children are not left unsupervised with other persons. Since becoming registered some years ago all of the childminder’s children are now over the age of 16 but have not been suitably vetted by Ofsted.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder meets required adult to child ratios. She demonstrates an overall understanding of the requirements of the National Standards.

p.5

Organisation

Most of the records, polices and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe running of the provision, and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. However, the childminder does not have a copy of her first aid training certificate to reassure parents and carers that she is suitably qualified to administer first aid if required.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to reduce the risk of hazards to children on the premises. She was also asked to ensure all adults over the age of 16 on the premises are vetted and to request written permission from parents for any emergency medical advice and treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has boarded off her banisters and made toiletries and cleaning fluids inaccessible to children. This has removed the risk of children climbing on and falling from ranch style banisters and of children having access to hazardous fluids. Checks on the childminder’s children and written consent for emergency medical advice and treatment are still outstanding due to some misunderstanding by the childminder. These two issues therefore remain areas for improvement to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 all persons over the age of 16 living on the premises submit to the Ofsted vetting procedure • obtain written permission from all parents and carers for seeking any emergency advice or treatment in the future • develop knowledge of safeguarding children issues by developing awareness of the 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' booklet • ensure that the first aid training certificate is available to reassure parents and carers

p.6

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

p.6

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