Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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202579 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2006 Inspection date Samantha Smith 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 23 and 17 years in Loughton. The whole of the house is registered for childminding and 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 six children at anyone time and there are currently four children on roll attending on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local Parent and Toddler group with minded children and she 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 satisfactory. Children play in a clean home where they are encouraged to assume good hygiene routines. They know to wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. Steps are in place to minimise the spread of infection, including cleaning work surfaces regularly using anti-bacterial spray. The bathroom and outside toilet are cleaned daily and children are provided with anti-bacterial soap and their own flannels. The childminder also washes her hands before preparing food and after assisting children's personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

In the event of children becoming unwell, parents are notified and children receive appropriate care and attention until they arrive. If necessary the GP is contacted and an appointment is made by the childminder. If children are infectious they are excluded from the provision until they are better.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder, which generally consist of sandwiches, pasta or soup, meat and vegetables for the main meals and desserts including fresh fruit or yoghurts. Drinks are freely available. Although the childminder is not currently caring for any children with dietary requirements, she ensures that she liaises with parents in regards to this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of physical activity both inside the home and outdoors. They walk to and from school, visit the park and they have free access to various resources in the garden, including, skittles, a paddling pool, balls and buggies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and welcoming home, where they feel safe and secure. Toys and resources are set out each day before children arrive and the childminder ensures they are checked for safety, taking into account children's ages and stages of development. Children mainly play in the lounge and garden, where they move around safely and make choices from the selection of toys that are made easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe in the home because the premises are secure and the childminder has taken steps to minimise potential risks. For example, the front door and back gate are kept locked preventing children from leaving the premises unsupervised. Socket covers are in place, restrictors are fitted to low level cupboards and fire precautions in place through the use of smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children are also learning to take some responsibility for their own safety as they practise the Green Cross Code when crossing roads and they know to hold hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. This ensures children's welfare is safeguarded.

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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 satisfactory. Children are well-settled and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They have established close relationships with childminder and her daughter as they spend time participating in activities together. The interaction between each of them is warm and positive. They are confident to approach her for support and without hesitation they are able to express their needs to her. They are developing independence as they make choices about their play and self select resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a sufficient range of toys and resources available including role play equipment, books, puzzles, cars, dolls and dolls houses, action figures and interactive toys. Children also enjoy other experiences such as face painting. Children are content to pursue their own interest as they enjoy playing with the small world equipment, they use the dolls to act out their ideas. Creative development is promoted through play dough, gluing and painting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although the childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework she has yet to obtain a copy ready to use in her practice with very young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of toys and resources, they make independent choices about what they would like to play with as they choose from the selection of toys available. The childminder has sound understanding of equal opportunities and diversity, however, toys and resources that reflect this are some what limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has no direct experience of working with children with special needs, she demonstrates a positive attitude to meeting children's individual needs and she keeps parents informed of their child's progress. Children behave well. The childminder encourages good behaviour through the use of praise and encouragement. She has appropriate strategies in place to manage any aspects of unwanted behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnerships established between the childminder and parents. She ensures that parents receive regular feedback regarding their child's progress and she takes time to listen to their ideas and requests.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All persons over the age of 16 years have completed relevant checks, ensuring the children continue to be safe in the home. Space is organised sufficiently to meet the needs of children and the environment is welcoming.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed the required training courses and she has kept her first aid knowledge up to date. The required documentation is in place and contributes to supporting

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Organisation

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 care, welfare and learning. There is a regular exchange of information including policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all records are stored confidentially and ensure that the register is completed at times of arrival and departure of minded children daily. Records are now stored confidentially and the register shows children's arrival and departure times. This ensures children's safety and well-being is maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board(LSCB) and reduce potential hazards in the home, relating to smoke alarms and the storage of garden equipment. Details of the LSCB are now kept on file and smoke alarms are in place and well maintained, garden equipment is now stored in a locked cupboard in the garden. This support the safety and welfare of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may see on request. The complaints log may contain complaints other than those known 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): • extend the range of toys and resources that reflect equality and promote diversity • improve outcomes for young children and babies by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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 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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