Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261929 Unique Reference Number 23 March 2007 Inspection date Lisa Paisley 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in Hadleigh, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part-time and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 very warm and welcoming environment where a high standard of hygiene is maintained. Children are actively encouraged to wash their hands as part of their daily routines, for example before meals and snacks and after creative activities. Children have access to hot and cold water, liquid soap and individual hand towels minimising the risk of cross-infection. Clear written procedures are in place in the event of an emergency and when children are unwell. This results in children being well cared for and appropriate procedures being carried out in the event of an emergency or incident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a very good range of meals and snacks. Food provided is made from fresh ingredients and non processed. They are able to help themselves to drinks including fresh drinking water, milk and fruit juice, encouraging independence and choice. Children sit at the dining room table where lots of conversation is encouraged, resulting in meal times being a fun and sociable experience for all the children. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure children’s dietary needs and preferences are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities for regular physical play and activities, for example, bouncy castle, slide and the trampoline. This enables children to practise and develop their large physical skills, ensuring they are making good progress in all areas of their development. They also have very good opportunities for trips out to the local park, shops and library and outings further afield to Marsh Farm and Hadleigh Castle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is very warm and welcoming where children are comfortable and settled. They are able to access a very good range of activities safely due to the effective organisation of play equipment and resources. Toys are of a high standard and positive steps are taken to ensure items are well maintained, including daily checks after use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move around the home safely and independently as all potential risks have been minimised. For example, there are safety gates, low-level sockets are protected and the front door and garden are safe and secure. Children’s awareness of personal safety in the home is developed through the effective supervision and gentle and clear boundaries that are set by the childminder. Clear procedures for walking to and from school, discussions with the childminder about how they can keep themselves safe develop children's understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a very good understanding of her role when caring for children. She has a written child protection policy in place and obtained appropriate information such as relevant contact numbers. Parents are informed of her role, reassuring them of their child’s safety and well-being.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, relaxed and contented in the home as they are warmly welcomed by the childminder. They are offered a wide variety of activities and play experiences that are interesting, age-appropriate and challenging, for example, play dough, cooking activities, puzzles and construction toys. Children can choose from a variety of toys and equipment at their own level and use their imagination and creative skills well to express themselves through dressing up or craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder shows interest in what they do and say. They are interested in activities and they enjoy learning through play as the childminder consistently provides children with explanations, asking open-ended questions and offering suggestions, for example, what are the big and small pieces in the puzzle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s confidence and independence is developed as the childminder encourages children to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment. They look to the childminder for reassurance, help and assistance and she responds in a warm, caring and enthusiastic manner. Children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder uses a range of appropriate and sensitive strategies for managing children's behaviour. Children receive regular praise and encouragement, developing their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the home as the childminder provides a safe and secure environment, where inclusion is positively promoted. A written policy is in place regarding children with learning difficulties and disabilities which details how the service will be provided to children. The very good levels of support ensure that all children are included and receive a great deal of individual attention so that their needs are effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an awareness of diversity as there is a good range of activities and resources offered to children such as dolls, books, puzzles and play people. They also celebrate a number of festivals such as, Chinese New Year and Shrove Tuesday. Children learn about their local community through regular trips out to the park, library and local shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's very clear understanding of managing their behaviour sensitively and positively. They are encouraged to develop good relationships with other children and family members as activities encourage sharing, turn-taking and problem solving, for example, completing puzzles together and turn-taking during play dough activities. Children receive regular praise and encouragement which promotes their emotional well-being and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are well informed about the care that the childminder provides, as they are given clear written information about her role, written policies, procedures, certificates and reports. Parents receive both verbal and written feedback on a regular basis and they are updated with regard

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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 to any changes to the child’s day, such as planned outings. This results in good continuity of care for all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home and daily routines are well organised, ensuring children are warmly welcomed and the transition from parent to childminder is a positive experience for all the children. Children are supervised effectively at all times and daily routines are planned to incorporate school collections and individual time with the younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder updates her child care knowledge and skills by attending training. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) and first aid training, however, she could continue to attend training to further improve outcomes for children. Written records, policies and procedures are comprehensive and efficiently organised and well maintained enabling the childminder to spend her working day with the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain public liability insurance and update car insurance to business use prior to looking after minded children. Public liability and car insurance are now in place ensuring children are fully protected by the childminder's safety measures.

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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 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):

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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 • further extend and develop knowledge and understanding of childcare practices.

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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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