Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302064 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Chris Gregson

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and 5 children aged 17, 7, 6, 3 and 2 in Dovercourt, 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 two children at any one time unless working with another childminder when she can care for eight children. She is currently minding two children under five during the day and one child over five after school and in the holidays.

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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 The childminder goes to local schools to take and collect children. The family has goldfish. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She takes children to the local park, beach, duck pond and library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children with identified allergies or medical conditions are cared for appropriately by the childminder as she has relevant information from their parents on their personal records. They are comforted by the childminder if they are ill or have a minor accident. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene practice when preparing food to ensure children are safe from cross contamination. They understand simple good health and hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and understand the importance of clean hands so that they stay healthy. Children are encouraged to be aware of personal hygiene and they wash their hands after going to the toilet or playing outdoors to ensure they stay healthy. Children enjoy physical activity when playing in the garden and using the climbing frame and outdoor toys. When all together they regularly walk to the park or beach

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Helping children to be healthy

where they can enjoy the fresh air and healthy exercise as they run, play with balls or fly planes. Children learn about healthy living and the foods they can eat through talking to the childminder. For example, she reminds children the reason they cannot eat some foods is because they would ‘come out in a rash’. This helps children to be aware of their own bodily needs and how to keep themselves healthy and safe. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and younger children are encouraged to lay down for a sleep after lunch. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents to ensure childrens’ dietary needs are met. They have a good range of healthy foods, such as fruit at snack time and a choice of vegetables at lunchtime to ensure they receive nutritious foods.

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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 warm and welcoming environment where they are able to play, eat and rest comfortably. There are low-level shelves where children can easily and safely access an excellent range of toys and activities to enable them to safely make choices and take responsibility. They easily and freely move around the downstairs area. Children’s work is displayed so they can feel valued.

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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 benefit from safety measures, for example socket covers, smoke alarms, a fire blanket in the kitchen and a secure garden. They are safe on outings to the beach as the childminder takes a first aid kit, mobile phone and ensures each child has a ‘sea safe’ bracelet in case of an emergency. However, the wire across the kitchen step presents a potential hazard and results in children not being fully protected from the risk of accidents. The childminder and her assistant are fully aware of the signs of abuse and have an understanding of the procedure to follow to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and values their drawings and playdough creations. For example, she takes photos of their creations so that children are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity and know their work and efforts are valued. Children use their initiative, show interest in what they are doing, learn new skills and concentrate making their creations. For example, they make fire monsters in playdough. Children experience activities planned to a theme for the holidays, such as a camping adventure. Children feel valued as the childminder listens to what they want to do and negotiates with them, for example planning to make a fish tank the next day. Children make very good, close, positive relationships with the childminder and are developing their relationships with the others learning to take turns and share. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder reminds them what

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is expected. Children have their individual needs met. The childminder provides extra resources and cuts straws in half to enable younger children to handle the straws easier. Children develop their language and mathematical thinking though listening to stories, drawing, cutting, gluing and counting at every opportunity. Younger children make connections and enjoy being together with the childminder. They take part in imaginative play, for example dressing up or playing under the table in a tent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals. They develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding about the wider world and community through having access to an excellent range of play resources which shows positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The individual needs of all children who attend are well met and children are fully

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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 included in family life. The childminder has effective arrangements to care for children with special educational needs. Children are learning to behave well. They begin to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods that the childminder uses to manage their behaviour. This includes explanations, distraction and time out. She encourages children to take turns and share. They receive clear guidance, for example a gentle reminder to ask if they can use scissors when another child is using them. This helps children to begin to accept the needs of others. Partnership with parents is good. Effective communication is maintained through daily chats and a diary that goes between home and the childminder. Children benefit and feel secure through these good relationships.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works with an assistant to ensure the needs of the children are positively met and supports their care, learning and play. She has attended training to update her knowledge and understanding of child development and first aid. She is planning to attend further training to enhance her already good knowledge and provide interesting and exciting activities. The childminder contributes to the children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in her family life where they feel safe and secure in her care. 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 childminder was registered there has been one complaint relating to National Standard 2: Organisation. Ofsted investigated the concerns raised that children were often in the care of the childminder’s husband and that he dropped children off and collected them from school. Further documentary evidence was passed to Ofsted by the complainant. Upon review of this information Ofsted was satisfied that the childminder is registered for an assistant, she has parental permission for her husband to drop off and collect children from school and for children to be left in his sole care. Ofsted will therefore be taking no further action in this matter. The provider remains qualified for 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 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): • ensure hazards to children on the premises are minimised. (This refers to the kitchen step and wire running across the edge.)

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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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