Bone Julie

Bone Julie Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY220972 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2007 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 good. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and four in Wickford, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 four children, some of whom are part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a tortoise and a rabbit.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are protected effectively from cross-infection and their good health is promoted well because the childminder implements good hygiene practices for example the playroom is hoovered after the children leave in the evening, the kitchen surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray. Children enjoy helping with the cleaning by dusting. The toilets are cleaned every morning providing the children with a hygienic environment and protecting them from cross-infection. All of the required documentation to promote the children’s good health is in place. Therefore the children’s needs are well met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet provided by their parents. Fresh drinking water is available to children at all times. This promotes the children’s good health because they can drink when they are thirsty to prevent them from being de-hydrated and this also encourages their independence skills. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to take part in physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities. For example, outings to museums, sea life centre, farm, zoo, parent and toddler group, the ball park, beach and the local park. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children are learning good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection for example; the children wash their hands with children's liquid hand wash, after toileting and being in the garden, or helping to feed the tortoise or rabbit. The childminder talks to the children about why they wash their hands. Therefore children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder’s comfortable home. This enhances the children’s sense of security and helps them separate from their parents happily because they feel secure in the welcoming environment and the childminder’s care. Children have opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities because there is good space available to them for different sorts of play. For example, the playroom is for free play and the children have easy access to a large range of age and developmentally appropriate resources, the conservatory is set up with small table and chairs and children have free access to a varity of activities including, drawing, painting and play dough and the kitchen diner is used for cooking activities and eating. The children have free access to the garden throughout the year.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted very well because the childminder is meticulous in ensuring her home stays safe for the children, they are therefore able to develop their natural curiosity and explore the home freely and in safety. Children are also protected when out of the home because the childminder carefully considers potential hazards. For example, children learn about the green cross code when out walking.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. The childminder maintains regular, informal communication with parents which develop strong partnerships between all those involved in keeping children safe.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, secure and settled. They are encouraged to talk about what they are doing and what they have done at playgroup. They show enthusiasm in what they do and are busily engaged in purposeful play with the childminder by drawing, colouring and discussing different colours and similar shades. The children also enjoy playing with the Bratz dolls and cars. They enjoy role play where they use their imaginations well. There is a large collection of dressing up clothes and role play items, one child said she liked to be Tinker Bell best.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have fun attending outings and special days such as Fruity Friday when they taste different fruits from around the world. Take a picnic to the Chelmsford museum or visit the sea life centre. They also enjoyed getting up close and touching a snake at the farm which the children said felt warm. Children have good opportunities to explore their local and extended environment when they go to the library on the bus and visit the beach.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder gets to know what all the children enjoy and what interests them. She has a good understanding of how to promote children's learning through play. Therefore, the childminder is able to plan and use opportunities to help the children make good progress in their development and learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and are treated as part of the family. They feel included in the daily routines of family life and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder takes time to get to know the children in her care so that she can meet their needs. She achieves this by ongoing discussion with parents and spending most of her time actively involved with the children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder’s consistent boundaries and behaviour management. The children’s good behaviour is rewarded with lots of praise and encouragement when they help to put one toy aware before they get another out. This helps the children to feel good about themselves and develop confidence.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated with equal concern and respect. Children learn about people's differences when they participate in activities such as Chinese New Year and Holi. They have access to a good selection of resources that reflect the wider society to help them learn about our differences and similarities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There are excellent displays of children’s art work in the playroom and photographs of them happily at play or on outings. The childminder has developed very good relationships with parents and they share information on a regular basis. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and with regard to parent’s wishes and needs of the individual children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are protected from non-vetted persons because the childminder ensures that all persons in the household are vetted and that non-vetted persons do not have unsupervised

p.4

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 access to children. Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios is met. The childminder has completed the 'Introduction To Childminding Practice' training course and first aid training. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s welfare issues and child development.

p.4

Organisation

Children’s needs are well met because the childminder organises space and resources to promote the children’s welfare and learning.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required records and signed permission slips, however all her policies and procedures are only verbally explained to the parents. The childminder ensures that all documentation about individual children is shared with their parents.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has added to her resources items which show difference and has included festivals such as Chinese New Year and Holi in activities therefore, children are provided with a wider outlook of the world around them. She also agreed to obtain a copy of 'What To Do If You Think A Child Is Being Abused'. This is now in place therefore children are better protected as the childminder has up-to-date information if she is concerned for a child's welfare.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • develop procedures for keeping parents informed of the policies you have in place relating to child care

p.5

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 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

p.5

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.6