Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298951 Inspection date 21 June 2005 Inspector Jenny Howell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and four years in Mayland, near Maldon, Essex. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child aged one year for one day a week. The childminder walks to Maylandsea Primary School and Maylandsea Pre-school to

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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 take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment. They are encouraged to learn about simple hygiene routines such as washing hands and flushing the toilet, helping them to learn about how to stay healthy. Children are provided with food in accordance with parent's requests and the childminder ensures that children eat and drink in appropriate quantities. Children have regular opportunities to exercise, walking to and from pre-school as well as using trikes and playing simple sports in the garden. Children are able to sleep as appropriate to their needs. The childminder is aware of the health needs of individual children and ensures these are well met, for example applying sun cream before going out on a hot day and changing nappies as and when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is maintained at all times. The childminder ensures that her home is organised to minimise hazards and regularly checks toys and equipment to make sure that they are not damaged or broken. Children are encouraged to play safely with toys and to think about how to keep others safe. Simple routines are used to ensure the safety of children when on trips, such as holding on to the side of the buggy, using reins or strapping children into car seats carefully when driving. The childminder is aware of appropriate action to take in the event of concerns about the welfare of a child but does not yet have a record of the contact details for Social Services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with an appropriate range of toys and activities. They have opportunities to play indoors and outdoors and are also taken on short trips around the local area. Children are able to select the toys and activities that they are interested in and the childminder encourages them to choose for themselves. Children are provided with a high level of support from the childminder who talks to them about what they are doing and uses questions and suggestions to extend and develop their play. Toys and activities are ready when children arrive so that they are able to settle straight away, becoming engaged in the activities on offer. Children play well together and are encouraged to help each other and to share toys

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 fairly. Very young children are provided with activities which interest them and the childminder plans to develop these through the use of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder is aware of the needs of each child and adapts routines and activities in order to best meet these needs. Children relate well to the others present and they are encouraged to co-operate when playing together. Children are able to access some resources which help to increase their awareness of diversity and difference and the childminder plans to develop these further. The partnership with parents is satisfactory. All relevant information about children is collected and kept on file. The childminder has developed her own range of written permissions which are discussed with and signed by parents. This helps to ensure that the childminder is able to act in the best interests of the children at all times. The childminder talks to parents about the needs of each child and works hard to meet these. Parents are free to talk to the childminder when they deliver and collect

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Paperwork is well organised, ensuring that the childminder is able access any relevant information, such as contact details or medical information, quickly and efficiently. The childminder has attended relevant training, including first aid, ensuring that she is able to offer an appropriate level of care at all times, including in the event of an emergency. Carefully planned daily routines ensure that children are well cared for. For example, the childminder has lunch prepared in advance so that she is free to provide children with a high level of supervision and interaction during meal times. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection since registration.

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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): • ensure that a record of the contact details for Social Services is maintained • consider the use of the Birth to three matters framework to develop activities for children under the age of 4.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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