Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335691 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2006 Inspection date Anita Bartram 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 2006. She lives with her husband and their child aged 15 months, in Springfield, on the outskirts of Chelmsford. The whole of the property is used for childminding, with the exception of the downstairs bedroom and cloakroom. 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 a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years, both of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a rabbit, two cats and a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 very well nourished. The childminder provides a good variety of nutritious foods. For example, children have omelettes, soup or sandwiches for mid-day lunch or pasta, cottage pie or fish fingers for their evening meal. Children are very eager to eat fruit. Very young children ask for apples, bananas and satsumas for snack and can help themselves to drinks throughout the day. As a result, children are developing very valuable attitudes to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows appropriate hygiene routines and encourages children to do the same. For example, after feeding the rabbit children have to wash their hands and they know to use their own towel when drying their hands. As a result, children are suitably protected from cross infection. Children are able to go outside daily, either on walks, play in the garden or go to local soft play centres. Consequently, children are able to enjoy the benefits of daily exercise, helping them to keep healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is warm and responsive to children’s needs. The childminder has a lovely rapport with the children, appropriate to their age or needs. For example, she gives lots of cuddles and reassurance to younger children yet encourages high self esteem in older toddlers through lots of verbal support and guidance. Babies and toddlers are able to sleep comfortably in a travel cot and the childminder is mindful that they have all their comforters they need to help them sleep peacefully. As a result, babies’ and children’s emotional well-being is fully supported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play and learn in a safe and generally secure environment. The childminder has taken active steps to ensure all hazards around her home have been minimised. For example, medication and household cleaning materials are stored out of children’s reach in the kitchen. All toys and equipment are stored easily for children to reach and are in good order. Children are able to make full and safe use of space on the ground floor of the childminder's home. Consequently, children are satisfactorily protected from accidental injury. Appropriate fire procedures are in place although the fire blanket is not effectively located to enable the childminder to use it successfully in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gently explains reasons to children when she asks them to stop climbing on the furniture or asks them to pick up a small toy from the floor. Whilst out walking with the children, the childminder uses opportunities to help them learn road safety. As a result, older children are able to begin to appreciate how to keep themselves or others safe both on and off the premises. All medication and accident records are kept well, enabling the childminder to protect children’s health.

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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 The childminder has a sound appreciation of safeguarding children. She is appropriately aware of signs and symptoms that could indicate abuse and where to refer her concerns to. Consequently, children are suitably protected from non-accidental harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has very warm relationships with the children. For example, babies and toddlers receive lots of cuddles and soothing words when they wake up from their sleep. As they play, the childminder sits alongside them, talking and asking open ended questions to support their understanding or language development. This has a very positive impact on children’s confidence and self-esteem and the children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder’s house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a vast range of valuable activities available to them. For example, older toddlers enjoy dressing up as fire officers or making moulds with the play dough. Younger children dive into the small ball pond or tentatively sit on the see-saw. Babies and children select books they enjoy and settle onto the childminder’s lap on the floor to hear familiar stories. The childminder is very aware of babies’ and children’s different likes and dislikes and strives to provide activities they enjoy. She is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework in planning activities and experiences for the children. As a result, babies and children have a stimulating and fun environment in which to play and learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works in partnership with parents very well. She exchanges information verbally to parents when they drop off or collect their child about activities children have undertaken, outings they have been on and the food children have eaten. She aims to follow routines established at home, for example, when settling babies and children down to sleep. The childminder is proactive in gaining parents’ views on her care practice and is open to suggestions and comments. As a result, children receive high levels of consistency in their care and thus children who have more specific needs are fully supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to begin to appreciate responsible behaviour. The childminder manages disputes between babies and younger children by distracting their attention or re-directing them to another activity. She reasons with slightly older children, giving them explanations appropriate to their age. Consequently, children of all ages are developing their knowledge of right from wrong. The childminder provides a valuable variety of toys that reflect diversity. As a result, children are able to build a balanced and positive view of the wider world around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of the children. She has completed all the required training and is keen to extend her knowledge and skills through further training. This positive attitude is having a positive impact on the care she provides the children. For example,

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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 due to recent training about 'Birth to three matters', she uses activities in the framework to promote different aspects of young children’s development according to their age or stage of development.

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Organisation

She has well organised policies and procedures which are stored confidentially and securely. She makes sound use of these within her care practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution. All policies and procedures are shared with parents at initial meetings. This enables them to make an informed choice about placing their child in the childminder’s care.

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Organisation

All persons living on the premises have been appropriately vetted and the childminder is fully aware of how to protect children from non-vetted persons, such as visitors to her home. The childminder’s husband occasionally works as her assistant to enable her to provide more flexible care arrangements.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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 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): • continue to develop the methods used to exchange information with parents • ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised (this refers to securing the main exit door)

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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 • ensure the fire blanket can be used effectively in an emergency.

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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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