Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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506226 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2006 Inspection date Kerry Freshwater 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 1990. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 14 years in Elsenham, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with some access to upstairs areas for sleep purposes. 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 seven children under eight years, who attend on full and part-time arrangements. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has one pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. Accident and medication records are in place, appropriate treatment given and parent's signatures and consents have been obtained. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance. For example, they know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before food and they learn about germs as they talk about keeping themselves clean. Children learn a rhyme to encourage them in ensuring all their fingers are washed properly and know that they wash hands before food 'so we do not pass germs on to our food'. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that her home is always clean and well maintained. Children are able to use fabric or

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Helping children to be healthy

paper towels and pictures are displayed to gently remind them of hygienic toileting and hand washing procedures. Children use their own drinking cups, individual flannels and hairbrushes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden. They ride on wheeled toys and scooters, climb on the climbing frame, slide, small bouncy castle and rocker in the garden. Children use various apparatus at local parks. Indoors children complete puzzles, thread shapes and cotton reels and manipulate play dough. This helps to develop their coordination and physical abilities. Children are able to rest and sleep as they need to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are clearly aware of good nutrition and understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy an excellent range of healthy snacks and regular drinks. Children participate in a food project where they gain an excellent understand of different foods and quantities that they should be consuming per day. Children participate by saving food labels, discussing and sorting them and adding them to the correct category on the food pyramid wall chart that they have produced. The childminder is happy and confident to meet individual dietary requirements of which she has obtained clear information from parents. She works closely with the parents to ensure that these requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has an excellent understanding of safety issues, children have space to move around safely and freely as she has minimised risks to keep them free from harm. Children learn about danger as the childminder helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe. They practise fire evacuation and learn about road safety as they cross the road. They confidently explain why they must not undo their car seat belt until the car has stopped or climb on furniture in case they fall and hurt themselves. Older children learn about 'stranger danger' and younger children know that they must not open the front door because they do not know who is on the other side.

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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 All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play as part of planned themes. They are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. All children readily help themselves from the organised selection of interesting play equipment so they can follow their own interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documents and procedures are in place and are maintained to safeguard children's welfare. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and has attended training to update her knowledge and inform her practice. Children are closely monitored at all times and the childminder gives top priority to their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a exceptional understanding of child development which enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is suited to each child. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as cookery, model making with play dough, dressing up and role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their play. Their early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they enthusiastically discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. They listen to stories relating to the food topic and participate in a wide range of linked activities such as visits to local shops, growing cress and creating a food pyramid wall chart. Children are well motivated as they learn unusual facts about George Washington as part of their Independence Day theme and enjoy sharing what they have learnt with others. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider and support younger children as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, children participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge. They learn how things grow as they plant, care for and eat different fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and carrots. They study butterflies make colourful pictures and visit a butterfly house. Children collect leaves and conkers for prints and collage pictures and create brightly coloured flower gardens with coloured paper and glue. Children are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed and included in the provision. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world

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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 and to help children understand differences and similarities. For example, children learn about American history and make flag biscuits for American Independence Day, they taste noodles and dragons, complete colouring sheets for Chinese New Year and plan to celebrate the Divali festival of lights. Children learn to value differences through sensitive discussions, stories and the use of developmentally appropriate resources. They are receptive to the childminder's inspiring role modelling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exceptional. The childminder has a positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play very happily together in the childminder's care, they learn to share and take turns as the childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The strong partnerships with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. The childminder provides verbal information about the service that she provides including her clear, well written policies, planned themes and daily routines. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. However, the childminder has not provided parents with information relating to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and therefore parents are not fully aware of the curriculum provided for younger children. The childminder values feedback from parents to support her provision and has received positive and complimentary comments.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enriched by the enthusiasm of the childminder and her assistant, the highly effective organisation of time, space and resources and committed approach. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are part of a bigger family. The childminder is highly motivated and actively seeks and attends regular training opportunities. This ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices within the childminding setting. The childminder has attended training on child protection, food hygiene and both adults are in the process of completing an early years childcare qualification. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The concise policies and procedures are shared with parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • develop information provided for parents to include the 'Birth to 3 matters' framework.

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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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