Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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590239 Unique Reference Number 14 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged fourteen and twelve years in Weeley Heath. 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 drives to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children 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 nine children all of whom are aged under eight and attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special needs

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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 are kept healthy at the childminder's house as she has clear procedures for ensuring her home is clean and hygienic. She encourages children to develop a good understanding about health issues through discussion and positive reinforcement of messages such as hand washing after using the toilet and before meals. Children who are unwell in the childminder's care are comforted and their parents contacted if they need to be collected early. Children who have accidents at the childminder's home have their injuries appropriately dealt with 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 on a daily basis when they go for walks in the local area and play in the local parks. They play in the childminder's garden when the weather permits. Children understand that fresh air is good for them as they have discussions about exercise and healthy eating with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well met as the childminder and parents share relevant information about their individual likes and dislikes. They are provided with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet and have regular drinks throughout their time at the childminder's home. Younger children and babies in the childminder's care are provided with appropriate foods to meet their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They have opportunities to play in a number of areas within the ground floor of the childminder's home, for example, there are three seating areas and small computer room which can be used to facilitate a range of different play activities. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden which contains a good selection of outdoor equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a range of toys and play equipment from toy boxes stored within their reach. They play with clean and hygienic resources as the childminder checks the toys and keeps them clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe within the childminder's house as she ensures her home offers safe and secure play opportunities. Children are encouraged to gain an understanding about how to play safely within the space provided as they are encouraged to clear away one set of toys before getting another set out. When walking along the road children are encouraged to find a safe place to cross the road and always stay close by the childminder when they go on trips or outings.

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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 clear understanding about how to protect children. She informs parents of her responsibilities, however does not have a copy of the booklet 'What To Do if You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' to use for reference.

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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 good. Children are fully engrossed in an active range of activities which enable them to progress in all aspects of play and learning. They have opportunities to be busy and to have quiet, relaxed times throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to develop their learning through counting and recognising colours and shapes. They are encouraged to draw pictures and develop letter formation to enable them to write their own names. Children enjoy looking at books and making up their own stories as part of a group game whereby they all add a little bit to the story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to learn about weight and measure when they participate in cooking activities. They make cakes and flapjacks and have fun eating their produce.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically explore their local environment when they go for walks and collect items of interest to look at and make collages with. They express themselves through creative play and have fun making pictures using paints and old sweet wrappers. Children like to dance to a range of music and enjoy listening to the childminder's children play their musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected within this childminder's care. They are treated like a member of the family and encouraged to feel safe and secure through the childminder's caring and individual approach. Children's individual needs are appropriately shared with the childminder when their parents first visit to discuss the childminding arrangement. Information about their home routines, likes and dislikes is used to inform the childminder's practice on the best way to care for them. Children have some opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and differing needs when they enter into open discussions with the childminder and use books as a means of accessing information about festivals and special celebrations around the world. Children who need additional help are well supported by the childminder who works closely with the parents to agree a consistent approach to their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and understand the childminder's 'house rules'. They are cared for in accordance with their parent's wishes and receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. They are positively rewarded for good behaviour and challenging behaviour is dealt with in a calm and positive manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder and parents develop a close and caring relationship whereby ongoing verbal communication ensures that the children's changing needs are always met. The procedure for implementing a written agreement between the parents and childminder has lapsed recently and the childminder does not currently have contracts in place.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a caring and committed childminder who uses her six years of experience to provide children with a safe and stable childminding environment. She updates her childcare knowledge by reading articles and following current news bulletins on changing childcare trends. Children are always in the childminder's care and are supervised by adults who are vetted and cleared.

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Organisation

Children enjoy being cared for in small numbers which enables the childminder to provide them with individual attention at various times during the day. Children's daily attendance is appropriately recorded and available for inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder's practice is appropriately supported through clear and effective documentation. Children's written information is regularly reviewed to ensure the childminder is always aware of changes within the children's lives.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop the range of toys and resources which reflect equal opportunities and to obtain the most recent written information on child protection procedures. Children are now provided with a wider range of toys and resources which reflect equal opportunities. They are protected from potential harm as the childminder has updated her knowledge on this issue and thought that she had obtained up to date written procedures on child protection, however, has not obtained a copy of the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' therefore still needs to obtain this.

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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): • continue to ensure children's safety by obtaining a copy of the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' • ensure children's well-being is promoted by implementing written contracts with parents which set out the childminder's service and is signed by both parties.

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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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