Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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404173 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2007 Inspection date Susan Parker 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 2001. She lives with her husband and adult son in Harlow, Essex. The whole of the home is used for childminding apart from the bedrooms. There is a local park nearby 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, of which three may be under five at any one time. The childminder works with an assistant. There are currently seven children attending on a part-time basis.

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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 warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene, personal care, and independence. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own needs according to age, supported by the childminder who acts as a good role model and offers clear explanations. This is demonstrated as children involve themselves in a healthy eating project. The childminder supports them by repeating careful instructions and explaining the importance of good hygiene routines. Children's developing awareness follows naturally as they repeat daily routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are indoor and outdoor large physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, as they explore the local community and park areas. They explore the outdoors eagerly and have ample opportunities to increase physical skills. This benefits from clear planning for outings that is shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning to keep themselves safe due to clear explanations and safe routines during play and when on outings. For example, clear reminders are offered when crossing roads and using the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They benefit from premises that offer access to play activities and space enabling them to explore freely and learn to avoid accidental injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well promoted because the childminder takes steps to prevent accidents and to plan for emergencies, for example, through written permission from parents for the assistant to take sole responsibility should the need arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children take part in daily routines that support their safety, promoting their understanding and development of safety awareness. They show emerging awareness of road safety and safety within the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home, confidently choosing toys and activities. They communicate well with the childminder, discussing various subjects and asking her for help when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a variety of activities which help promote their development. These include playing with play dough, imaginative play, reading, and craft activities such as painting and

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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 cooking. Children are able to enjoy the activities provides and can self-select from a range of resources offering children different options for play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is able to use her knowledge and understanding of child development to adapt activities to suit individual children. When participating in craft activities, older children are encouraged to do as much for themselves as possible, whilst younger children are given more support from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals and the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these. She has some written policies in place which enables her to provide appropriate care for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is good and they are encouraged to play well together, sharing toys and negotiating turn-taking. They are set consistent boundaries so that they know what is expected of them. The childminder has an effective understanding of behaviour management and appropriate methods to use.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's awareness of society and other cultures is promoted. However, they have limited access to a range of toys and play resources, such as dressing up clothes and books, which give them information and positive images of other ways of life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to respect each other and show concern for the other children around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Resources are efficiently organised and children are therefore able to determine their own play. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder makes sure that she has all necessary information about the minded children and ensures that she clearly understands this. Their social and emotional needs are promoted through the childminder's effective organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a range of play opportunities and also to meet her commitments in terms of collecting children at the correct time.

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Organisation

The children's overall welfare is promoted as the childminder has ensured that she has relevant paperwork and permissions in place. However, this could be compromised as the childminder has no current public liability insurance certificate..

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Organisation

The childminder organises her work to ensure that children are supervised at all times and has completed the vetting procedure for household members and her assistant. She has provided parents with a range of policies and procedures to ensure that children are cared for appropriately and consistently.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the necessary permissions in place.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Overall, the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to build on her resources to promote equality of opportunity and diversity, however resources are still limited so the recommendation remains.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has produced a range of policies and procedures which underpin her practice and are available to parents. This ensures that the children's welfare and care are supported by valid documentation.

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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.

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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 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 valid public liability insurance certificate is obtained • ensure that further resources which promote equality of opportunities and diversity are obtained.

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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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