Mitchell, Kerry

Inspection report for early years provision

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162319 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2007 Inspection date Sandra Daniels 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 2001. She lives with her partner and two children aged eleven and four years in Sawbridgeworth. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child aged ten months.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder takes children to the local library, park and the seaside.

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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. Exceptional procedures ensure a healthy environment is provided where children benefit from thorough hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection. Children receive excellent levels of care through diligent routines effectively maintained by the childminder. For example, the premises is cleaned from top to bottom each morning before children arrive. Children develop independence in self-help skills. They are offered outstanding support as they gradually accept responsibility for their own personal care. Older children independently access bathroom facilities and understand about the importance of washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn from an early age the importance of good hygiene through the childminder's consistent routines, that are part of everyday practice, to which children respond naturally. For example, when changing babies' nappies, the childminder talks to the baby about what she is doing. She cleans the changing mat after each use and disposes of nappies in a hygienic manner. She then washes her hands, again explaining what she is doing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Detailed documentation is completed with parents to accurately record children's individual health and dietary requirements. Any accidents children may have are managed very effectively as the childminder has excellent knowledge of first aid and maintains systematic recording systems. Any required medications are administered sensitively by the childminder and with prior parental permission.

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Helping children to be healthy

All food is extremely hygienically prepared and older children enjoy healthy choices for breakfast before they go to school. Parents currently provide food for the baby and drinks are readily available for children to have when they require. Occasionally, meals may be provided and these comprise of fresh ingredients which make up a nutritionally well-balanced and healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to develop confidence and co-ordination through a range of physical activities. Babies enjoy pressing buttons on toys to get a reaction and this promotes small muscle development. There is lots of space for crawling and suitable, safe furniture to encourage babies to pull themselves up to standing and begin to learn to walk. Children love to play outside in the well-equipped garden and also enjoy visits to local parks and activity centres. Excellent arrangements ensure that children can sleep or rest peacefully according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from vigilant procedures, including systematic daily risk assessments and health and safety checks, to provide an extremely safe and secure environment. Effective arrangements ensure the outside play area is safe and excellent security ensures children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. Appropriate safety equipment minimises potential hazards within the home and the effective organisation of equipment and resources allows children to access

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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 these freely and safely to promote independence and choice. Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and vigilant arrangements for emergency evacuation equip children with the knowledge of what to do in the event of a fire if the need arises. Diligent arrangements are established for outings and children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder teaches them to cross roads safely and be aware of holding hands or holding onto the buggy at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All equipment and resources are of very high quality and are extremely well maintained. Anything that becomes tatty or broken is discarded and replaced. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring that babies and younger children cannot access toys used by older children which may contain small parts and could be a potential hazards. This supports older children to develop an awareness of the safety of others as the childminder carefully explains these possible dangers to them. The childminder carefully examines toys and resources to ensure they are well maintained and suitable for the ages of children present. Safety for babies is given great consideration in this setting. The baby sits comfortably on a soft rug on the floor, surrounded by toys. He accompanies the childminder around the house and is never out of her sight.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is extremely well safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. Recent training has ensured that the childminder knows how to take any action required to protect children. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy, eager to participate and relish their time in this setting which clearly puts them first. They achieve well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her strong understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to provide high quality care and learning opportunities. Children's individual potential is promoted and they are given stimulating challenges from the wide range of well planned activities and experiences. They develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem as they make choices about their play and care. For example, the baby lifts his arms to make it clear to the childminder that he would rather sit on her lap than on the rug. When she picks him up and cuddles him he looks at her and smiles, clearly feeling good about himself. Children are attentively listened to and their communication skills are very well promoted as the childminder responds positively to their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

gestures and sounds. Young children are actively supported to explore, experiment, label and express as the childminder shares the fun of developing language with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are motivated to use their initiative to build and extend their play. They enjoy threading beads to make jewellery and like to develop dance routines to their favourite music. They show care and concern as they sit on the floor with the baby and show him how to use his toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children have a clear sense of belonging as the childminder fosters extremely effective relationships with each child and actively encourages them to build relationships with each

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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 other. Children receive considerable support from the childminder in their play. Children thrive in this environment and are making excellent progress in all areas of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective relationships with parents promote continuity of care for all children. They receive good care appropriate to their needs because systems are in place to ensure that their individual needs are discussed and recorded. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's activities and achievements. Information is shared verbally, either face to face or on the telephone, or in writing. However, the childminder has agreed to devise a system, and share it with parents, for recording complaints made by parents and the outcomes of these, in line with regulations. Children benefit from the childminder's flexibility. She often cares for children from early in the morning and, sometimes, at very short notice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and older ones understand right from wrong. They respond well to the childminder's calm and consistent approach. They know what is expected of them and where the boundaries are. Children are encouraged to follow the good example set by the childminder. They learn to be polite and courteous and to consider the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality of opportunity. All children are equally valued as individuals. A good range of play resources provides opportunities for them to develop an awareness of other cultures, disability and the wider world in which they live. For example, jigsaw puzzles and toys reflect different cultures and a good range of books enable children to extend their knowledge and understanding. The childminder has regard for the Disability Discrimination Act and her practice reflects a commitment to ensure she provides quality care for all children. She shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively should she recognise any health or additional needs of a minded child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children’s needs are met. Children are very happy and at home with a flexible childminding routine within a well organised and extremely safe and secure environment. They experience a good range of varied activities that meet their needs well. Space and resources are very well utilised to support children's requirements and this encourages their confidence and independence.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Emergency contact details are kept up to date and are easily accessible at all times and the daily attendance register provides an accurate account of who is on the premises at any given time. The childminder shares information regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the care that is provided.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that children do not have access to plants that may pose a hazard in the garden. Children's safety is supported as the childminder has taken professional advice to ensure that children are in no danger from the plants in the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Children's welfare is safeguarded as written parental permission is now in place for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment should this be required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to keep a record of significant incidents and share this with parents. Since the last inspection there have been no significant incidents. However, the childminder is fully aware of the necessity to promote children's safety and well-being by recording such incidents and sharing this information with parents.

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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): • devise a system, and share it with parents, for recording complaints made by parents and the outcomes of these

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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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