Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY303311 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Jima Fotopoulou

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband. They live in a residential area of Harlow. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 4 children two of whom attend on a full time basis and two in a part time basis. There are 4 children on roll. During the inspection

p.2

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 there were 3 minded children present. The childminder organises her daily routine around school runs. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's established routines. They are aware of the need to wash their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet in order to keep themselves clean and healthy. The childminder encourages children to brush their teeth after breakfast in order to help them maintain a good level of personal hygiene. The childminder follows effective procedures when changing nappies to ensure younger children's health and well-being. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy and balanced diet and ensures that healthy options are readily available to them such as salads and fruit. She is aware of specific dietary requirements and has complete children's records in place to ensure that individual needs are met. The childminder liaises appropriately with the parents who provide most of the meals and ensures that parental wishes are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

respected. Food and drinks are appropriately stored and prepared for the children who learn about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder. Children have access to drinks at all times. Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's effective procedures such as having a medication book in place, a written sick child policy which she shares with the parents in their initial visit and parental consent for seeking emergency treatment. However, she has yet to obtain parental consent for administering medication to children. The childminder has completed a first aid course in order to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of emergency. Children are protected from cross infection due to the childminder's established routines such as providing each child with clean bedding and by disinfecting the changing mat after having being used. Children have access to a safe and fully enclosed garden with a suitable range of

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

resources such as ride on toys, footballs, bat and ball and a rocker which contribute to the development of their physical skills. Children enjoy regular outings with the childminder as part of a healthy life-style such as visits to the local park and soft play areas and she has parental consent in place to ensure that parents are fully informed. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs.

p.3

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 The provision is satisfactory. The childminder regards children's safety as her priority. The childminder ensures that children have access to a safe and secure environment by carrying out risk assessments twice a day both indoors and outdoors. Children have easy access to safe, suitable and age-appropriate toys and equipment which are kept clean and stored safely. The childminder is very vigilant herself and ensures that unsuitable toys are kept away from the children. Children are kept safe indoors due to the childminder's adequate fire safety equipment such as a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms on both floors which she tests regularly. The childminder has thought about an emergency evacuation procedure and discusses it with the children in order to help them develop

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

an awareness regarding fire safety. Children have access to a hazard free and well-organised environment which fosters their independence while keeping them safe. The childminder has an accident book with the required parental signatures in place in order to support her practice and ensure that parents are kept fully informed. The childminder ensures children's safety on outings by having parental contact details with her at all times, a first aid kit in the car and by carrying out risk assessment before allowing children to use any equipment. She has also parental consent for transporting children in a vehicle in order to ensure that parents are kept fully informed. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and she is aware of current procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns. The childminder has a child protection

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

statement which she shares with the parents in order to maintain children's safety in her care. Children are protected from unvetted persons due to the childminder's effective procedures such as releasing children only to their parents or people nominated by them. The childminder has a password system in place in order to ensure children's safety.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have access to an adequate range of toys and equipment which is suitable and age-appropriate such as drawing and painting materials, big blocks, musical toys, books, puzzles, cars, cuddly toys and table games. They can confidently choose their play materials from the resources available to them and their choices are respected and valued. Children participate in age-appropriate activities, which they find interesting, with the childminder's support such as building a tank from cupboard boxes and decorating it with their drawings. The childminder sits at the children's level and helps them develop their knowledge, for example, by helping younger children learn the names of the animals which appeared in a pop-up toy. Children are able to use their initiative, for example, by choosing their play materials. Available resources are easily

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

accessible to children, which fosters their independence.

p.4

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 Children have warm relationships with the childminder. They sit together, share resources and take turns, for example, when playing with big construction blocks. The childminder appropriately supports children's play, for example, by encouraging younger children to dance to the tune of a musical toy and praising them for their efforts which help children develop confidence and self-esteem. Children enjoy regular outings with the childminder such as visiting the local park, toddler groups or the library which helps children develop their physical and social skills while they gain an awareness of the world beyond their home.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect which helps them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and includes all children in the life of the setting. However, children are provided with a limited range of multicultural resources which reflect positive images of diversity. Boys and girls are provided with the same opportunities helping children avoid gender stereotypes. Children behave well due to the childminder's appropriate ways of encouraging and promoting good behaviour such as praise. Children are encouraged to be polite and kind to each other. The childminder uses age-appropriate techniques and liaises with the parents in order to ensure consistency in managing challenging behaviour. The childminder has a behaviour management statement in place which she shares with the parents in order to support her practice. Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges both written and verbal

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

information with them on a daily basis in order to ensure continuity of care between the setting and the children's home. She has contracts and most of the parental consents in place in order to help her form good working relationships with the parents. The childminder has working statements in place which she shares with the parents in their initial visit in order to ensure that they are fully informed about the setting prior to placing their children in her care. The childminder keeps complete children's records to ensure that they are cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and benefit from a well-organised and homely environment which helps them feel safe and confident. The range and quality of activities both indoors and outdoors are suitable and age-appropriate and support their learning and play. All documentation along with most of the required parental consents are in place to support the childminder's practice. However, the Ofsted poster which provides parents with information should they wish to complain was not on display as required.

p.5

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 The childminder has devised a portfolio with working statements which she shares with the parents in order to ensure that they are fully informed about the setting. The childminder holds an NNEB in Nursery Nursing, a certificate in Childcare and Education and NVQ level 2 qualification, has recently completed her pre-registration course and has attended recent training in Health and Safety and in Food Handling in order to ensure that her knowledge and understanding in childcare are up to date. The childminder has completed a first aid course in order to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of an emergency. The childminder's satisfactory procedures, good organisation and warm and caring approach ensure that individual needs are met. Confidentiality is maintained and

p.5

Organisation

existing files are safely stored. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Not Applicable First inspection since registration.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 written parental permission for administering medication to children is in place • ensure that children have access to toys and resources which reflect positive images of diversity • ensure that parents are aware of Ofsted's contact details should they wish to complain by displaying the Ofsted poster.

p.6

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 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

p.6

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

p.7