Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY103455 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2006 Inspection date Tina Anne Mason 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years in Grays in Essex. The whole of the downstairs of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she also takes children to the library and the park. The childminder has a dog and a hamster. The childminder 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 good. Children are effectively protected from cross infection by the excellent standards of hygiene maintained by the childminder within her home. Children's health and general well-being is promoted by the childminder's good knowledge of first aid, which is supported by a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a warm, clean and healthy environment. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities which contribute to their good health and physical development. For example, all children have lots of fun playing on the childminder's trampoline which is protected with safety netting. Children are taken out on regular visits to local parks and walk home from school on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are very well met. Children enjoy healthy nutritious meals that are balanced and take account of their individual needs. Fresh fruit is available each day and meals and snacks are varied, to include fresh vegetables. Sweet foods are discouraged and fresh drinking water is available at all times. A weekly menu is displayed on the fridge and is available for parents and carers to see. The childminder has a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy, nutritious diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional needs are highly valued. The childminder gives lots of reassurance, cuddles and positive praise throughout the day.

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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 secure and safe home, with plenty of space for them to play. The environment is welcoming for children where they freely access a wide range of safe and suitable toys and resources. Toys are made easily available for children enabling them to make choices which fosters their independence. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where hazards are minimised and various precautions are in place to protect them. For example, all hazardous materials are stored in a locked cupboard in the kitchen and open drains in the back garden are covered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She has attended a number of training courses to ensure that her practice is underpinned by up-to-date knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. A written policy statement is shared with parents, however, the childminder does not currently have the contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This will impact on the way any concerns are reported and children’s welfare is potentially hindered because of this.

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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 benefit well from the effective praise and nurturing environment created by the childminder, which contributes to their sense of belonging and security. Children are able to learn about words and meaning by the effective interaction with the childminder. For example, children spend lots of time and have lots of fun with the childminder sitting together and reading their favourite books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts in a friendly way with the children and helps them to join in with play. She supports the children well and encourages their language skills and development. She uses good questioning to promote children's use of language to express themselves. The children benefit from her active involvement. The children have plenty of resources to choose from and are busy and engaged. The childminder rotates equipment so that the children show fresh interest in the selection of items available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a variety of creative materials, such as drawing, play dough, cutting and sticking, giving them the opportunity to take part in new and exciting activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has good knowledge of child development, she is very confident in supporting children in their play providing a stimulating environment that allows children to respond with enthusiasm to new challenges.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well met because of flexible routines and good positive partnerships with parents and carers. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through daily discussion. All necessary paperwork is in place to support a professional relationship with parents. However, the childminder was not aware of the changes made to the National Standards, with regards to keeping a record of any concerns or complaints that may be raised by parents and carers. This has the potential to affect children's welfare, as parents may not be fully informed to enable all to work together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are included and activities are not gender specific. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that children with additional needs are fully integrated and their welfare is promoted. Children are supported in learning how to manage their own behaviour. Appropriate expectations and the childminder's use of verbal praise and positive reinforcement, are very effective and build children's self-esteem. For example, stickers are given to the children at the end of the day to promote good behaviour. Children are valued as individuals and learn to respect one another through sharing and caring for one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an awareness of people from other cultures and with differing needs through the resources which the childminder provides. They celebrate festivals of all religions at the appropriate times in the year and take part in activities which help them learn about different faiths. They are also able to communicate their own needs and beliefs in a supportive environment.

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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 good. The childminder has created a well organised physical environment, making best use of space available to support children's care, learning and play needs. Children are kept safe, good systems are in place to ensure that all adults in the household are vetted and children are never left with unregistered persons.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that she works within the conditions of her registration at all times. The daily record of children's attendance clearly details times of arrival and departure. She has a commitment to training and developing her knowledge of childcare. This ensures that children benefit from her knowledge and understanding of current childminding practice.

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Organisation

A good range of records are suitably organised and effective in supporting the childminding practice. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the following recommendations were made: Obtain signed parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment as required; Reduce potential hazards in the home regarding window keys and accessibility to dog food; Improve fire safety precautions by fitting a smoke alarm on the ground floor; Minimise potential hazards to children indoors and outside. (This refers to glass panels at the side of the front door, items in low level cupboards and the uncovered drain.)

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Improvements since the last inspection

Written permission has now been obtained from each of the parents and carers giving consent for emergency medical treatment or advice to be obtained. Smoke alarms have now been fitted to each floor of the premises. Window keys are accessible on each window sill and the family dog is fed only after all children have gone home, therefore children do not have access to dog food. Glass panels next to the front door are made from safety glass, low level cupboards housing hazardous materials are locked and outside drains have now been covered. This ensures the childminder works in partnership with parents and carers and children's well-being is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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 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): • obtain the contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board • implement a process to record complaints and share this with parents and carers.

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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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