Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY103696 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Lynn Amelia Hartigan 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 10 years. They live in a residential area of Colchester. The whole of the premises is used for childminding with the exception of the first floor. 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 under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for eight children who attend part-time. During the inspection there was one child aged three years present. The childminder walks to the local schools, shops and pre-school as part of the daily routine.

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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 satisfactory. Children are becoming aware of their personal hygiene. They learn about keeping themselves healthy as the childminder encourages children to wash their hands following the use of the toilet, before snack, after stroking the rabbit and if they have played in the garden. Children are also protected through satisfactory hygiene procedures when their nappies are being changed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Providing opportunities for communication with parents ensures children are protected with regard to illness and medication. Well written and informative sickness and medication policies and emergency plan and procedures are in place. A well stocked first aid kit is also available. However, the children's health could be compromised as the childminder does not have written parental consent with regard to seeking emergency medical advice and treatment. In addition, the childminder does not have an up to date first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest according to their needs, babies and young children are made comfortable. For example, young children sleep within a well-ventilated, quiet lounge on the sofa or in a travel cot according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder encourages them to eat nutritious snacks and meals such as fruit. All meals and snacks are freshly prepared daily as required. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise daily as the childminder ensures they have a walk as part of their daily routine. This usually includes walking to the local school, toddler group or nursery. Children are able to access resources, such as ride-on toys and climbing frame as these are easily accessible within the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's commitment to welcome children and their parents is good. The children have the use of a bright playroom and lounge that has an abundance of toys available to them. Children's individual needs are met as appropriate, as well-maintained resources and equipment are available to support their development. The selection of toys indoors and outdoors and their accessibility, ensures the children can make choices and self-select.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe environment as the childminder gives priority to protect children. She ensures the home is risk assessed and that the premises meet with requirements. This includes fire safety, she has developed a detailed fire evacuation plan and policy and ensures the children are aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a fire. However, the children's safety could be compromised as a fire blanket is not readily available. The childminder educates the children when out walking, with regard to road safety and other dangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The well-being of the children is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. A written policy is in place for parents.

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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 have good opportunities for many play experiences as the childminder is committed to providing a wide range of quality toys, books and resources. The toys available to children are easily accessible as they are organised in easy reach toy boxes, within the playroom. The house is welcoming and child friendly, the playroom is decorated with children's art work and posters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience several well-organised outings, such as regular visits to the local park or toddler groups. Children enjoy creative activities, such as dressing up, musical instruments, play dough and drawing. Young children particularly enjoy playing with the dinosaurs and play animals. They have great fun playing a favourite fishing game with the childminder and talk about the different colour fish they catch. Completion of large floor puzzles give the children great satisfaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children feel very comfortable within the home. They play confidently, happily and enthusiastically with the dolls and prams, preparing them for when they go out for a walk. Children confidently approach the childminder when needing assistance. The childminder dedicates her time playing and caring for the children, as a result the children have formed good relationships with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for as the childminder ensures she is fully informed regarding their individual needs and family backgrounds. An equal opportunities policy is in place for parents to view. The children's knowledge and understanding of a wider world is encouraged through conversation or by the resources in place that reflect diversity, such as skin tone crayons and paints, books, small world people, dolls, and a good selection of dressing up costumes. The childminder ensures she is fully briefed regarding any child's individual needs to ensure a consistent approach is maintained, should a child require additional support. Resources and the organisation of the home ensures inclusion for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand the boundaries within the childminder's home through clear guidance from her. They develop a sound understanding of cooperation and play well together. Children are caring towards one another and the childminder. For example, they show concern and apologise when they accidentally bump into one another. A positive approach towards behaviour management ensures that children feel secure. Children feel valued and respected as the childminder spends time playing and talking with them, she is calm and praises the children for their efforts, for example, when they finish a floor puzzle or tidy away after themselves without any prompting. A behaviour management policy is in place for parents to view.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that parents are informed about their children's activities as she provides them with policies and procedures within a file. Parents are welcome in the home and are encouraged to discuss their children's development on a daily basis. Parents written

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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 references with regard to the care and attention their children receive are positive and very complimentary.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is very welcoming and effectively organised to support children's play. The play space indoors and outdoors enables children to explore and play safely. The children benefit from being cared for by a motivated and dedicated childminder. The childminder can effectively support and meet the needs of the children in her care as she is very organised and as a result children receive good care and attention. However, the childminder's first aid certificate has expired, consequently she is not fully up to date with current first aid practices and is therefore not meeting regulation requirements.

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Organisation

Well maintained documents and information regarding the children ensure the childminder is aware of and can support the children's individual needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure public liability insurance, an incident book and car documents were readily available for inspection. The childminder no longer uses the car when minding. The insurance certificate is available within the information file for parents and an incident book is readily available if needed. The childminder also agreed to ensure written parental consent was obtained with regard to administering medication and seeking emergency medical advice and treatment. Parental consent for administering medication is now in place and a policy with regard to emergency treatment and a procedure to follow in the event of an emergency situation is also available. However, written parental consent is still outstanding and a recommendation has been made. The childminder also agreed to ensure potential hazards such as aerosols were made safe or inaccessible. The childminder risk assesses

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Improvements since the last inspection

her home regularly to ensure children are protected from potential hazards. The improvements made have enhanced children's safety and welfare.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment • ensure a fire blanket that conforms to BS EN standard is in place.

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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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