Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330433 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2006 Inspection date Nicola Mary Eileen Matthews 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 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Fairview area of Braintree, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and the garden is not used for outside play. The childminder takes children to the local park regularly. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child over five years after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two geckos as family pets. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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 health is promoted well and cross infection minimised as the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene practices. Their food is prepared in a clean and well-maintained kitchen. Children use individual towels in the bathroom, which hang on novel hooks, to encourage them to remember to wash their hands after toileting. Children who are unwell, at the childminder's, are cared for well and their minor injuries appropriately dealt with.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished and can access drinks when ever they are thirsty. They enjoy a light tea before going to Brownies such as pasta and bolognaise sauce. Children's individual dietary needs are effectively met through discussion with the parents about any special requirements before being left in the childminder's care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional needs are appropriately supported. They have built up a close relationship with the childminder and are very confident to be left in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities to develop their balance and coordination. They enjoy going to the local park and using the large apparatus, which provides a challenge. Children have the opportunity to experience fresh air as they walk from school to the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and mostly safe environment, where many hazards are minimised but more attention is required when storing cleaning chemicals and sharp kitchen utensils to ensure children's safety. They are able to freely and independently move around the home, which helps to build their self-esteem. Children are cared for in a secure home where they cannot leave the premises unsupervised but can evacuate the house quickly in an emergency. However, they do not practise the emergency evacuation procedure which compromises their safety. Children are learning to keep themselves safe when out walking and crossing the roads. Their parents have not given written permission for children to be transported in the childminder's car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently and safely access toys and play with items from the range of quality resources which are clean and well-maintained. They can see and easily get at the toys stored under the stairs and the craft resources are stored in a small set of plastic draws which are safely placed on the table the children work at.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has knowledge of child protection procedures. She knows the referral procedures to follow should concerns be raised about a child's welfare.

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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 good. Children are confident to enter the childminder's house and they settle well. They show good levels of interest in the activities available, especially the attractive art and craft materials. Children's independence is developing as they choose from a selection of resources and activities which appeal to them. They often choose an activity in the morning in readiness for after school. They enjoy creating collages using natural and man-made materials and are encouraged to solve problems and talk about their creations, as the childminder skilfully asks them about their collage and suggests alternatives.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder as they ask for help and support and make choices about their play. They receive very good support for their creative development as they are able to represent their own ideas and show initiative when making pictures using blue paper for the sky and yellow circles for the sun. Children are developing their mathematical skills as they manipulate the resources such as cutting up circles into halves then quarters. They are encouraged to learn about the natural world as they walk home from school along the hedgerows discussing the plants and fruits and learning about what they can and cannot eat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning right from wrong as they play alongside each other and share and take turns amicably. They are developing good social competencies such as spontaneously saying please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their daily routines are recognised after discussion with the parents. Older children are taken to Brownies on Monday evenings. Children build up a good relationship with the childminder early on, which develops their confidence and sense of belonging. They are learning about their local community as they walk to and from school, attend Brownies where they are learning to interact with other children. They handle very limited play resources that show positive images of a multicultural society which does not help to develop their awareness of similarities and differences in others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good as the childminder has a clear understanding of the appropriate strategies to use to help children understand right from wrong. Children are encouraged to make choices in their play and contribute to their personal needs fostering their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are appropriately met through the professional relationship developing between the childminder and parents. They sign contracts, which documents everybody's expectations clearly. The parents are informed about the day the children have experienced by informal conversations. There is no complaint file available for a parent that reflects current legislation.

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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 satisfactory. Children's needs are met as the childminder organises her practice well and works in partnership with the parents. The childminder effectively uses the space and resources to promote children's enjoyment. Children's safety and well-being is promoted both indoors and outdoors. Parents can see the certificate of registration as it is clearly displayed.

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Organisation

The standard of records is satisfactory and they are stored confidentially in a lockable file. This ensures each child is treated as an individual. The childminder is currently attending the required training to support her registration. There is a first aid certificate which is in date but did not include a paediatric element in the training, however, most medical emergencies are dealt with appropriately. The childminder is actively seeking another first aid course appropriate to the emergency needs of young children. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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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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): • ensure the emergency evacuation procedure is practiced • minimise hazards in the kitchen, this refers to cleaning chemicals and sharp utensils • obtain parental written permission to transport children in the car • develop the resources that show positive images of a multicultural society

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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 • keep a record of any complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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