Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331590 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and seven years. They live in a residential area of Bishop's Stortford. 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 four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends 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 rabbit as a pet.

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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. Children are aware that they need to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet or after having fed the family pet in order to keep themselves clean and healthy. The childminder has good procedures in place for changing nappies which means the younger children's health is effectively promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder liaises effectively with the parents who currently provide most of the food. The childminder ensures that healthy options are readily available to children and she is aware of any allergies and specific dietary requirements. All health related information is discussed with the parents during the initial visit and is recorded in the child records in order to ensure children's health. The childminder has suggested menus in place which include fresh fruit, vegetables and yoghurts for lunch as well as homemade hot dinners, which means that children are offered a balanced and nutritious diet in her care. Children learn about healthy foods through discussions with the childminder and having healthy options readily available to them. Children have their meals sitting together which means that they get good opportunities to exercise their social skills. Children have access to drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively protected from illness as the childminder has all health related documentation such as a medication book in place. She has obtained all the required parental consents and she has a written sick child policy in place which she shares with the parents during their initial visit. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate to ensure that she can respond effectively in case of an emergency. Children can sleep or rest according to their needs; the childminder wipes the mattress down with anti-bacterial wipes in order to protect children from cross-infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy access to a safe and secure garden with a wide range of outdoor toys and equipment which helps them develop their physical skills. For example, children develop their sense of space as they ride their wheeled toys and they develop gross motor skills jumping on the trampoline or playing with the balls. Children enjoy going on outings with the childminder such as visits to the local park which means that they have good opportunities to play in the fresh air and have fun. The childminder has obtained the required parental consent in order to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes.

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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-organised environment; the childminder carries out informal risk assessments on a daily basis; however, low-level glass has not been made safe or inaccessible to children in order to ensure their safety. Toys and resources are checked as an ongoing process for safety and cleaned regularly to ensure that they remain suitable for the children to use. The childminder stores the play materials at child height which means that

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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 children's independence is fostered. The childminder is very vigilant and ensures that unsuitable toys are kept away from the children's reach.

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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. She has devised a fire evacuation procedure which is displayed on the wall, and carries out monthly fire drills in order to help children understand about the appropriate actions to take in case of a fire. All safety related documentation is in place to support the childminder and ensure that the parents are kept well informed. Children are kept safe when on outings due to the childminder's effective procedures which include having a first aid kit and parental contact details with her at all times. The childminder has a lost child policy in place in order to support her practice and ensure children's safety.

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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. She recognises signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she is fully aware of the current procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns. The childminder has a child protection policy which she shares with the parents at their initial visit in order to ensure that they are fully aware of her responsibilities towards the children. She ensures that children are well protected from unvetted people by releasing children only to their parents or people nominated by them; the childminder has set up a password system as an extra security measure in order to ensure children's safety in her 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 help them develop their skills and learn through play. Toys and equipment are easily accessible; this enables children to use their initiative as they freely choose their play materials and their choices are respected. The childminder offers constant praise and encouragement in order to help children develop confidence and positive self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in meaningful activities which help them express their creativity and develop hand to eye coordination. For example, children are making collages using a variety of media such as leaves and twigs or they create masks for Halloween using different colour glitter. Children are making pictures using paint and their fingers which helps them develop their fine motor skills. The childminder sits with the children and plays with them helping them to develop mathematical thinking. For example, the childminder asked the children to perform simple additions while putting the colouring pencils away. Children are helped to develop their imagination as they have access to small world play equipment which they use for role play and for acting out imaginative situations. This enables children to develop their language skills as they narrate what the dinosaurs are up to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have warm and trusting relationships with the childminder who constantly praises and encourages them. The childminder plans beforehand the activities on offer but she is flexible and follows the children's lead as well. She is aware of the Foundation Stage framework which she uses as a guide to what activities might interest the children. The childminder has assessment records in place in order to assess and monitor the children's progress; this enables her to plan

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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 appropriate activities for the children according to their stages of development and to offer a stimulating environment which targets and develops children's skills. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which means that younger children benefit from recent developments in childcare. Children enjoy going to visits to the local park where they can engage in physical play and develop their social skills.

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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 a positive attitude towards diversity which means that all children are included in the life of the setting. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider community through discussion with the childminder; however, they have access to a limited range of multicultural resources which promote positive images of diversity in their everyday play; this means that children's developing awareness of the wider community is compromised. The childminder ensures that boys and girls are provided with the same play opportunities in order to help children avoid gender stereotypes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children might have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and she ensures that their needs are met by seeking as much information as possible from the parents. She helps children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities develop positive self-esteem by using constant praise and she adapts the activities on offer in order to ensure that all children are included. Children behave well as the childminder uses praise and encouragement as a means of promoting good behaviour. She uses age-appropriate and effective techniques for managing challenging behaviour such as discussion and explanation. The childminder has a behaviour management policy in place, as well as house rules which are displayed on the wall in order to support her practice and ensure consistency between the children's home and the setting. An incident book is in place, as required, in order to ensure

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges both written and verbal information with them on a daily basis. The childminder has established a communication book which is shared daily with the parents and provides information about the children's day in the setting. The childminder has devised a wealth of policies and procedures which are shared with the parents at their initial visit in order to support her practice. The childminder is aware of the changes to regulations regarding the complaints procedures and has systems in place in order to ensure that any complaints will be dealt with effectively. Parents are provided with the contact details of the regulator should they wish to express any concerns. The childminder has written agreements in place in order to form good working relationships with the parents and keeps complete child records in order to ensure that children are cared for according to their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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, secure and confident. The range and quality of activities both indoors and outdoors is good and supports children's learning and play.

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Organisation

All the required documentation such as a medication, accident and incident book is in place to support the childminder and ensure children's health, safety and welfare. She has obtained all the required parental consents in order to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has completed the required pre-registration training in order to inform her practice and holds a current first aid certificate which ensures children's health and safety. The childminder has devised a portfolio which includes all her policies and procedures and it is shared with the parents in order to help them make informed decisions about the setting and the level of care their children receive. The childminder is aware that all adults living or working on the premises need to be suitably vetted in order to ensure children's safety.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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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 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):

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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 • ensure that low-level glass is made safe or inaccessible to children • ensure that children are provided with resources that promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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