Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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504254 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2006 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, 12 and 15 in Southend on Sea, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house excluding two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding and 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 two children overnight. Five children for day care at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks to Pre School to take and collect children. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She 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 satisfactory. Suitable hygiene procedures are in place, for example toys and the home are cleaned regularly, and children wash their hands in the ground floor bathroom before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder wears gloves when changing the baby. Children are aware that if they do not wash their hands before they eat "they may have germs on their hands which may make them ill". Therefore children are cared for in a hygienic environment and are developing an understanding of good hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a sick child policy in place and parents are given a copy of this document. This practice limits the risk of cross-infection for the children. Only prescribed medication is administered and accidents are appropriately dealt with as the childminder has a current first aid certificate. Appropriate systems are in place to record medication administered and accidents so that parents are fully informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given opportunities for physical play both indoors and outside. They walk to and from pre school and visit either the local sports ground for a run around the park to play on the swings, slides and climbing apparatus. The garden is used most days. The childminder is aware to promote physical exercise. Toddlers thoroughly enjoy exercise on the cow see-saw. These activities help to improve physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious snacks, salad, fruit and raw vegetables, they had tomatoes, cucumber, grapes and apple for morning snack. Parents are made aware of what children do and do not eat.

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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 welcoming, and mainly safe and secure environment. The premises inside and out are regularly risk assessed. The home is organised to create a child-friendly environment so that children can move freely from room to room and explore safely in the playroom because appropriate toys and resources are in place. The children are provided with suitable and safe equipment which is age appropriate however, the trampoline currently poses a potential hazard to children. They learn to keep themselves safe and to avoid accidental injury as they are encouraged not to run around in the home and to be careful on outings and in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder talks to the children about road safety on outings and where its is and is not safe to cross the road. The younger children generally sit in the buggy while older children hold onto the buggy and walks by the fence away from the road. Procedures are in place to keep children safe on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for by a childminder who is suitably vetted, has completed child protection training and is aware of her responsibilities regarding children's welfare.

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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 well settled in the childminder’s care, the playroom is child friendly and children have easy access to the age appropriate play materials. The childminder meets children's individual needs well by using a verity of methods to introduce the children to her care ensuring they settle well. Children are given opportunity to interact with the childminder, for example, the older children enjoy making wind chimes and singing along to nursery rhymes while colouring Christmas cards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are provided with a good range of purposeful activities which include music and movement, painting and writing and imaginative play and they are able to access suitable computer programmes. The communication between the children and childminder, such as discussion about the Christmas cards they were making, increases their vocabulary. There are daily opportunities for outside play. New activities and play materials are introduced periodically to ensure that the children do not become restless or bored. They enjoy outings to the local sports field for a run around and park to feed the ducks, swans and geese and play on the swings, slides and climbing apparatus. These experiences enhance children's learning and enjoyment and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming confident to make decisions, explore and investigate and are able to decide what activities they wish to participate in. They relate well to adults and peers and play cooperatively together, this helps their enjoyment and supports achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a friendly relationship between the childminder and the children, interesting conversations take place that are meaningful, for example, when the children were choosing which Christmas cards to decorate and how to decorate them. Children are given lots of praise to build their self-esteem and encouragement and challenge to promote their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are met and they are all included in a good selection of play activities and experiences. Their dietary needs are taken into account and special diets are catered for if required. Parent’s wishes are fully respected and children benefit from having a childminder who seeks specialised training to support them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a behaviour management policy which is shared with the parents and children are aware of the house rules. They respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour. Strategies such as positive reinforcement are mainly used. They are encouraged and praised throughout the day and benefit from the positive role model of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a good role model; she speaks with and listens to the children to ensure they are comfortable and at home in the setting. Children's self-esteem is developed as children are encouraged and praised. They benefit from playing with resources such as dressing up clothes, puzzles, books, posters and pictures in the playroom which help them value diversity

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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 and there is imaginative play available. They celebrate festivals such as Mothers day, Father’s day, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Halloween, Christmas and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with a copy of all the childminder's polices and procedures and good communication is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Childminder has completed her childminding and first aid training. She complies with her conditions of registration and has a commitment to continual improvement by participating in training.

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Organisation

The whole of the premises excluding two bedrooms on the first floor are used for child minding this allows children to move around from room to room to experience different activities. There are three rooms which are used for different activities and an outside play area. Space is suitably organised with a dedicated playroom and a good range of activities to appeal to children and provide learning opportunities.

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Organisation

There are good policies and procedures in place which the childminder puts into practice. They are in written form and shared with parents to ensure the needs of the children in her care are met. Record keeping systems include information relevant to individual children demonstrating to parents that the childminder is able to ensure their safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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 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): • minimise hazards to minded children this refers to the large trampoline

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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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