Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY269639 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Samantha Smith 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 has been registered since 2003. He lives with his wife, who is also a childminder and children aged 14 and 11 years in Chafford Hundred. The whole house is used for childminding and there is garden for outside play

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at anyone time and when working with a co-minder they may care for 12 children at anyone time. There are currently three children on role attending various sessions throughout the week. The family have two dogs, a cat and a rabbit as pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups with minded children and he 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 good. Children's health is very well promoted as they are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. The childminder demonstrates good hygiene practices and has highly effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children, therefore, gain a good understanding of the importance of personal hygiene. They follow established daily routines, for example, washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has a first aid box in the home and one is taken on outings, ensuring children's well-being should an accident occur. Systems are in place to record all accidents, incidents and the administration of medications. Detailed written policies are shared with parents, outlining the hygiene practices used by the childminder to promote children's good health.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy foods, through the healthy options of snacks offered to them. Parents currently provides meals for their children and the childminder ensures that these are stored appropriately. Mealtimes are seen as social times where the childminder helps children to enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a broad range of physical activities and have frequent opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They benefit from playing in the very well-equipped garden where they use a slide, sit and ride toys, bikes, balls and a trampoline. Children flourish as they develop confidence and acquire new skills such as climbing, balancing and throwing. Larger physical equipment is available for children at toddler groups and local parks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm child-centred environment. They have more than ample space to move around freely and the home is welcoming for children in order to aid their development. Children move safely from one area to another, accessing equipment and activities independently.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder uses risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. For example, restrictors are fitted to all low level cupboards, smoke alarms are in place and tested regularly. Children take part in regular emergency evacuation practises where they learning what action to take in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When taken on outings, the childminder ensures children safety is further supported through the excellent procedures in place. This includes taking all emergency contact details and a first aid pack. Risk assessments are carried out of new places they intend to visit with the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected through the clear and effective policy in place with regards to child protection.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children use of an extensive range of resources that are appropriate to their age stage of development. They benefit from a wealth of imaginative, exploratory and sensory experiences

p.3

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 as they explore different materials for themselves as they paint, colour, stick and cut. Children are extremely proud of their achievements and feel good about themselves as they receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All areas of children's development are significantly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the childminder's interactions. Children are listened to attentively and their communication skills are very well promoted as the childminder positively responds to their gestures, sounds and questions. The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework in his practice in order to meet children's individual needs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit greatly from the thoughtfully planned trips and outings arranged for them by the childminder. They visit farms and zoos where they can learn about nature and how animals live. Children regularly attend a local toddler group where they develop very good social skills as they meet other children and adults.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children further develop their awareness of similarities and differences between people as they celebrate many festivals from around the world. They dress in different costumes and taste new foods, for example, Chinese foods to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Children enjoy a huge range of resources and books which present them with positive images of diversity. Children develop high levels of confidence and independence in this setting where they can make choices and decisions about how to spend their time.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to providing a fully inclusive environment for children, he has completed training in the Disability Discrimination Act and Inclusion in the Early Years. He is fully competent in adapting activities and resources to ensure that all children can participate thoroughly in each activity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive and close relationships that the childminder has established with parents as a result children feeling safe and secure. Detailed and useful information about the provision is shared with parents before each placement begins. The childminder provides daily feedback for parents on issues such as eating and sleeping pattern.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from very well organised play space where they can access toys and resources independently. Documentation is very well organised to safeguard and promote children's health, safety and well-being. Records are thorough, efficiently organised and shared with parents to protect children's welfare.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has a commitment to updating his knowledge regularly as he accesses regular training. All the required documentation is in place and well maintained, ensuring that the provision is efficiently run to promote children's welfare, care and learning.

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain permission from parents to cover higher risk activities. The childminder ensures that all necessary permissions are in place, enhancing the safety of the children.

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): • continue developing good practice to enhance the care given to children.

p.5

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

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.5