Brundle Alison Emily

Inspection report for early years provision

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560115 Unique Reference Number 08 December 2006 Inspection date Lynn Denise 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 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 1994. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, 11 and 13 years in Harwich. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to the library and to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children aged under eight years and three children aged over eight years, some of whom attend on a full time basis and others who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a hamster, a rabbit and some tropical fish in a tank.

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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's health needs are very well met as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the individual children's needs. They are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment and the childminder is committed to encouraging children to follow good hygiene practices. Children are encouraged to gain independence when using the toilet and are gently reminded to wash their hands when they have finished; they have individual towels to prevent cross infection. Children who have accidents in the childminder's care are comforted and their injuries dealt with appropriately by the childminder using her up-to-date first aid knowledge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to experience fresh air when they walk to and from school, play in the rear garden or go for walks in the local area. The childminder is committed to ensuring children get out every day, even when the weather is not so good.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are very well met as the childminder and parents work effectively together to meet the children's needs. Meals are planned in accordance with the children's likes and dislikes whilst being healthy and nutritious. Children requiring a special diet are accommodated by the childminder gaining a clear understanding of their needs from the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children are kept healthy within the childminder's care as she demonstrates a sound understanding of the needs of children aged under three years. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is used to support the childminder's practice of children of this age and she uses the guidance within this document to effectively meet younger children's needs.

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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 clean and well organised home. They move freely around the ground floor accessing a good amount of clear floor space in the lounge and dining room. An area of the lounge can be partly partitioned with toy boxes to keep very young children safe and secure. Children access the large, enclosed rear garden through a side door as the steps leading from the lounge door are quite steep. Plans are in hand to replace these with safer steps before children are allowed to use them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children self-select toys and play equipment from an interesting range of equipment which is placed in boxes on the lounge floor. They safely reach the toys and resources assisted where necessary by the childminder. Children play with clean and hygienic toys as the childminder regularly wipes them with anti-bacterial spray and washes soft equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe within the childminder's home as she has clear procedures for ensuring her home offers children an environment which is free from hazards. At present the hallway of the house is being decorated, smoke alarms have been removed to aid the re-decoration and need to be replaced to ensure children's safety with regards to emergency evacuation. Children

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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 learn about keeping safe when walking along the road as they discuss road safety with the childminder and find a safe and convenient place to cross.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to protect children in her care. She feels confident about recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows how to refer any concerns using the most recent information on child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are actively engrossed in a full range of activities which enable them to make progress in all areas of learning. They self-select from an exciting selection of toys and play equipment which is stored in boxes on the floor for easy access.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a warm and caring relationship with the childminder as they receive good quality interaction and affection from her. They are settled and content and appear very comfortable in their surroundings. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills when the childminder meets with her sister who is also a childminder. They arrange trips and outings together and make good use of the local area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to share and cooperate when they join in with board games and take turns. They are encouraged to play nicely and the childminder often plays games with them. Children have access to the family computer, the software has been checked by the childminder to ensure it is suitable for the age and stage of development of the individual children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's day includes a good amount of quiet and active times, they usually have a quiet time after lunch whereby they rest, read a story together or watch a television programme. The childminder likes to read stories to the children and they often practise letter recognition through flashcards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

When playing in the garden children have an exciting range of toys and play equipment to choose from. They play with tents, tunnels and ride-on toys. In the hot weather they have the opportunity to run under the garden sprinklers to stay cool.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are shared with the childminder by the parents. They hold settling-in meetings whereby the parents are invited to visit and share any relevant information with the childminder. The childminder then uses this information to inform her practice and ensure she is meeting the individual children's needs. Children are valued and made to feel a welcome part of the childminder's family. Children have good opportunities to play with a range of toys and resources which reflect diversity. They learn about other people's differing needs through open discussions with the childminder and through the celebration of some festivals. Children needing additional help are supported by the childminder working closely with the parents and other outside agencies.

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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 Children are set clear and effective boundaries at the childminder's home which are re-enforced in a calm and positive way. They are given lots of praise and encouragement to enable them to feel settled and comfortable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is fully promoted as the childminder and parents have developed a close working relationship. They share information on a daily basis and parents keep the childminder informed of any relevant changes affecting the children's lives.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who uses her many years of experience to provide local families with a caring and stable childminding service. The childminder is considering extending her childcare knowledge through further training and the network scheme in future years. Children are always in the direct supervision of the childminder who was vetted when she became registered under the Essex County Council Inspection Unit vetting system.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in small numbers which enables the childminder to provide them with good quality care and interaction. The childminder enjoys providing individual attention and organises her childminding service to ensure she can offer this to all children at various times during the week.

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Organisation

Well-presented and up-to-date documentation and records support the childminder's practices and are available for parents to view at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. Children's medical needs are now met as the childminder requests written parental permission before administering any medication. Children now have more opportunities to develop an understanding of diversity and equal opportunities as they have a larger selection of toys and resources available which reflect other people's differing needs. They also now celebrate some festivals and special occasions.

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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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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

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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): • ensure children's safety within the home by re-fitting smoke alarms on both floors.

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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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