Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

202839 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2006 Inspection date Patricia Mary Champion 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 good. 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 1989. She lives with her husband. They live in a house within walking distance of schools and shops in the village of Layer-de-la-Haye. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

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 six children under five during the day on a part-time basis and five children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and takes children on outings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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 good. Children are encouraged to be active, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They have plenty of space to freely move around the house and have fun playing in the garden. They get fresh air as they go for daily walks and visit nearby parks. Children use a range of physical play apparatus to climb, spin and balance and they run energetically as they race along the running track. The childminder recognises when children are tired. There are good arrangements to ensure that children can sleep comfortably and peacefully according to their needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health and well-being is promoted effectively. The childminder has established routines for hand washing and keeps food preparation surfaces clean to minimise the spread of infection among children. Parents are informed of the childminder's policy regarding the care of children who are unwell. Children are protected because the childminder has knowledge of first aid and keeps a first aid box readily accessible. Clear accident records are kept. However, medication records are not consistently completed to enable the childminder to evidence that she has fully supported children's health needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished. They eat healthy lunches provided by parents and supported by the childminder. She supplements children's diets by providing a range of fruit each mealtime. Healthy snacks such as raisins or chopped apple are provided between meals. Drinks are freely available to ensure that children do not become thirsty or dehydrated. Information is gathered so that the childminder is fully aware of any allergies or dietary requirements. She meets children's individual needs by attending training relating to severe allergies and anaphylaxis and keeps a wealth of information about children's health needs on file.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given a high profile as they play in a very clean and comfortable environment. Good use of stair gates, socket covers and other safety features help to minimise any accidents to children. Smoke alarms are regularly tested and potential hazards are stored well out of the children's reach. Documents such as current childminding public liability insurance and attendance registers are in place and contribute to keeping children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they practise emergency evacuation procedures. They learn about road safety as they go for walks. Children are protected as the childminder holds parental permission for them to be transported in her car and she makes sure that they sit in the appropriate car seats.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to good quality equipment and furnishings so that they can eat and play in comfort. All toys are checked frequently for damage or cleanliness. Any toys within reach of babies are safe for them to explore using their mouth or hands.

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 Children are safeguarded as the childminder is fully aware of her child protection responsibilities. She keeps up to date with current procedures through training and by reading the recommended literature. She knows who to contact to report any concerns she may have regarding a child's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are kept busy and have great fun as they play. The varied activities ensure that children learn and progress in their development. Children take decisions about their play as play materials are stored so that they can make choices about the toys they wish to use. Interaction between the childminder and children is warm and friendly. They enjoy cuddles as they sit and look at books. Children show great interest in what they see and the childminder develops their knowledge and language by asking open-ended questions. This encourages the children to think and give interesting answers.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide range of activities. They enjoy challenge and spend time concentrating while completing puzzles. Children enjoy manipulating play dough by patting, rolling and cutting shapes. They discuss textures with the childminder, exploring whether the dough is soft or hard and they carefully count the pieces of play dough they put back into the pot. Children demonstrate their creative skills as they make collages and proudly show visitors their completed pieces of work.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered an interesting range of outings. They learn about the natural world as they walk through the woods, visit the beach to collect shells or go fruit picking. Stimulating trips are made into Colchester to visit the museums and Castle Park. Each week children have social outings when they go to the toddler group or have fun music and movement sessions when they attend the 'Mini Mozart' music group.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder adapts activities to suit the ages and stages of development of the children. She has the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help guide her activity planning for the youngest children. The childminder provides stimulating play materials for very young children which encourages them to match, sort, classify and categorise.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the family environment. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that personal care needs are followed and liaises with the local school or other professionals when needed. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well by this experienced and motivated childminder. She recognises that some children have additional needs and offers a fully inclusive practice so that they all participate and are included in activities. Children are encouraged to bring things from home to carry, suck or play with, because the childminder recognises and understands that this may help young children move between home and a new setting.

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 Children behave well as they play. They learn to play cooperatively by sharing toys and taking turns. The childminder encourages children to be polite and ensures that they observe social skills such as remembering to say 'please and thank you'. Children learn to respect the needs of others as they help to tidy up and understand that they cannot leave small items within reach of a baby. They become aware of the wider world as they look at books or play with puzzles that show positive images of diversity and can explore the differences and similarities between themselves and others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the helpful and friendly partnership with parents. There are clearly written contracts that detail the business arrangements. Verbal feedback is given at the end of each day so that parents are fully informed of the children's care routine and the activities the children have enjoyed. The childminder is now aware of the need to keep a record of any complaints that parents make.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure and confident as the childminder has a well-organised routine. They are cared for by an experienced childminder who arranges her day efficiently around taking children to and from pre-school and school. During the school holidays children benefit from a wide variety of well-organised outings. Play space and resources are effectively arranged to met the children's needs. The childminder keeps a wealth of information relating to current childcare issues and trends easily accessible on file. She has a good working knowledge of first aid. However, her first aid certificate has now expired and this potentially compromises children's welfare because she has not yet refreshed her skills so that she is up to date with current practice.

p.5

Organisation

All the essential documentation to ensure that safe and efficient management of the provision is in place. Records are securely stored with a high regard for confidentiality.

p.5

Organisation

Overall the range of children’s needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop the range of toys and resources which reflect equal opportunities and to improve the safety of the water feature in the rear garden. The childminder has enhanced children's knowledge of the wider world by providing books and puzzles with positive images of diversity and by making good use of the visiting mobile library. She has improved children's safety by ensuring that the water level in the ornamental feature in the garden does not present as a potential hazard to young children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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 good. 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): • complete a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • make sure that medication records are consistently maintained in accordance with the National Standards.

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