Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333363 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2006 Inspection date Jima Fotopoulou 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 2006. She lives with her partner and one child aged eight years. They live in a residential area of Old Harlow, Essex. The whole of the property, with the exception of two bedrooms, is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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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 encouraged to learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's support. They are developing their understanding of keeping themselves clean and healthy by being encouraged to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder follows satisfactory procedures when changing nappies in order to ensure younger children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder liaises appropriately with the parents regarding children's food. She is aware of any allergies or specific dietary requirements and these are recorded in the children's records in order to ensure children's health. Children are supported in learning about healthy eating as the childminder ensures that healthy options are readily available to them. Children have their meals sitting at the table; younger children are provided with suitable equipment such as highchairs in order to have their meals and ensure their safety and comfort. Drinking water is readily available to children in order to ensure that they remain sufficiently hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness as the childminder has a sick child policy which she verbally shares with the parents. The required health related documentation such as a medication book is in place to support the childminder. However, parental consents to administer medication and seek emergency treatment or advice are not in place to ensure children's health. The childminder has completed a first aid course in order to ensure that she responds appropriately in case of emergency. Children are able to sleep or rest according to their needs. The childminder provides children with individual bedding which is washed after each use in order to protect them from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children go on regular outings with the childminder, such as visits to the local park and nature walks; this provides children with opportunities to play outside and get fresh air. However, parental consent for taking children on outings is not in place to support the childminder and ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a safe and well-maintained environment as the childminder carries out informal risk assessments on a daily basis. Toys and resources are well-maintained, safe and easily accessible; the childminder checks the toys and equipment daily for safety and cleanliness in order to ensure that they remain in good condition and that they are suitable for the children to use. The childminder has devised an emergency procedure to be followed in case she becomes incapacitated; however, parental consent for leaving the minded children with the emergency cover is not in place to ensure that parents are fully informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe indoors as the childminder has all the required fire safety equipment in place and she has thought about a fire evacuation procedure in order to ensure children's

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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 safety. All safety related documentation such as an accident book is in place to support the childminder. Children are kept safe when on outings as the childminder supervises children constantly and carries parental contact details with her at all times to ensure that parents can be immediately contacted in case of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she has a clear understanding of the appropriate procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns which means that children are safe in her care. Children are protected from unvetted people as the childminder only releases children to their parents or people nominated by them. She requests to meet beforehand any persons other than the parents who will collect children in her care in order to ensure the children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have access to suitable and age-appropriate toys and resources which are stored at child height enabling children to use their initiative and make choices. The childminder helps children form positive self-esteem by using praise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to explore the available toys and resources at their own pace. The childminder sits at their level and uses intonation in order to capture their interest. She plays with the children for example, by showing them how a toy cow can make different sounds or talking about the animals in the Noah's ark; this helps children develop their emerging language skills. The childminder responds appropriately to the children's facial expressions and babbling which makes children feel valued and babble even more. Children have warm and trusting relationships with the childminder as she offers them cuddles and reassurance whenever they need to. Children's emerging physical skills are promoted as the childminder helps them to stand and take little steps.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children go on nature walks and on outings with the childminder on a regular basis which means that they get opportunities to play in the fresh air and develop their awareness of the world outside their home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect which makes them feel good about themselves. The childminder ensures that boys and girls are provided with the same play materials which helps children avoid gender stereotypes. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity which means that all children are included in the life of the setting. However, children have access to a limited range of multicultural toys and resources which depict positive images of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children might have learning difficulties and/or disabilities; she seeks information from the parents in order to ensure that she offers appropriate care. The childminder uses praise in order to help children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities form positive self-esteem and adapts the activities on offer in order to help them develop their

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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 confidence. Children behave well as the childminder uses praise in order to promote good behaviour. She manages challenging behaviour by being calm herself and offering explanation and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed as the childminder exchanges verbal information with them on a daily basis. The childminder is aware of the recent changes in the regulations regarding the complaints procedure which ensures that any concerns will be dealt with appropriately. The childminder has contracts in place in order to form good working relationships with the parents. She keeps complete child records in order to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a homely and safe environment which helps them feel secure and confident. The range and quality of the activities both indoors and outdoors is satisfactory and appropriately supports children's learning through play.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place to support the childminder such as medication, accident and incident books. However, the childminder has yet to obtain all of the required parental consents in order to ensure children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder has devised a portfolio of policies and procedures in order to support her practice. However, these have not been shared with the parents in order to ensure that they are fully informed about the setting. The childminder has ensured that all adults living or working on the premises have been suitably vetted in order to safeguard the children in her care.

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Organisation

Confidentiality is maintained and existing files are stored safely which means that the children and their parents' privacy is respected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • obtain written parental consents for administering medication, seeking emergency treatment or advice and to take children on outings • obtain written parental consent to leave children with the emergency cover • ensure that children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources that promote positive images of the wider community • ensure that parents have access to the setting's policies and procedures.

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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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