Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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506294 Unique Reference Number 20 November 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 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 1990. She lives with her husband who is a co minder and two daughters aged 12 and 14 in Southend on Sea, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is 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 six children at any one time, however when working with her co minder they are able to care for nine children. They are currently minding seven children from 18 months to eight years and four children over eight. These children are all cared for part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder and co minder operate the local parent and toddler group. The family have two large birds, a tortoise and three rabbits.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. They have good opportunities to learn about the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet or playing with the pets. Through the consistent daily routines children begin to understand the reason why they need to follow thorough hand washing practices in order to maintain their good health and keep their hands free from germs. The childminder sets a good example to the children, making sure she washes her hands after changing children. The childminder ensures her first aid and basic food hygiene certificates are kept up to date, she also has Epipen and asthma training. Children’s health needs are met and they are protected from infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of nutrition helps the children to increase their awareness of the types of food and drink, this contributes to a healthy diet. Drinks are provided regularly, for example, water, fresh orange and milk, older children are able to help themselves and younger children's drinks are readily available. Children look forward to their evening meal, for example, a roast dinner. The children benefit because the childminder has clear procedures in place to find out about individual dietary needs, as well as the children's likes and dislikes. A special treat for the children is to visit Old Leigh and sample shell fish from the fish stalls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills, when walking to and from school, using the swings and ride on and sit on toys in the garden. They thoroughly enjoy trips to the park where they are able to use the swings, slides, climbing apparatus and have races. They enthusiastically participate in dancing and action rhymes in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a welcoming and comfortable family home. Their independence is fostered because they can move safely around the home which is safe, secure and risk assessed both inside and out. The childminder is careful to ensure all safety equipment is in place and she is well able to identify and minimise risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children learn effective skills for keeping themselves safe both inside and outside the home. They practise the fire evacuation procedure regularly and learn how to cross the road safely, using either the pedestrian crossing or zebra crossing. They all know to look both ways and listen to see if any traffic is coming before walking across, all younger children hold hands or the push chair and walk next to the fence not the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a broad range of inviting and well maintained toys and equipment appropriate for their age. Resources are regularly checked for safety and are easily accessible to the children.

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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 Children are further protected by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures as she has completed training for safeguarding children but does not yet have a copy of the current child protection booklet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very relaxed and well settled in the setting. They relate fondly to the childminder and approach her for help and support. They enjoy the company of the other children and are learning to play co-operatively with them. They are keen to take part in the activities provided and the clear daily routines helps them to feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to take part in a extensive range of activities which are planned and prepared in advance. The visit to the beach where they enjoy crabbing and the woods where they like tree rubbing. They like playing in the garden on the swings and push along and ride on toys. These activities help to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a childminder who ensures she is sensitive to children's individual needs and provides a large selection of play activities that promotes children learning such as counting, size and colour recognition, for example, enjoyment was evident as they joined in playing with the duplo. They also have great fun racing each other and playing cats cradle with their eyes shut.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a broad range of resources and play materials reflecting positive images of culture, disability and gender provided by the childminder. They learn about different cultures by celebrating a range of festivals, such as Christmas, Easter and Chinese New Year. The childminder has good knowledge of caring for children with special needs and respects their individual needs by finding out about their daily routines, likes and dislikes before care begins.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand the difference between right and wrong, through the clear and consistent behaviour management strategies and the good role model that the childminder sets. She is very positive with the children and uses praise well and consequently children are learning to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistent care is provided as the childminder works closely with the parents. Parents receive daily information about their child's care and achievements. They are provided with and extensive welcome pack which includes all the childminder policies and procedures. She ensures that verbal feedback is given daily. Clear and detailed information is requested from parents before care begins about the children's likes, dislikes, fears and routines thus enabling children's individual needs to be met.

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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. Children's care, learning and welfare is well supported in this setting. The childminder has completed appropriate training courses and attended a variety of workshops and additional training such as Epipen and Asthma training to improve her practice. She is in good health and ensures children are only cared for by persons who have been suitably vetted.

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Organisation

The environment is well organised to ensure children can take part in all types of play and have their care needs met. The whole of the childminder's home is registered to provide care and she continues to comply with her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

All required documentation to support the childminder's practice are kept in good condition and up to date and confidentially. The childminder is aware of the requirement to inform Ofsted of any significant events. The parents information contains an extensive range of policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that all regulatory written polices and procedures are in place. These are now in place and kept up to date and in good order.

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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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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 a copy of "What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused" booklet.

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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 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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