Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272289 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2007 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven in Leigh on Sea, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is 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 11 children part-time, including three children over eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She 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. The children are protected effectively from cross-infection and their good health is promoted well because the childminder implements good hygiene practices. The home is clean and well maintained. The childminder has produced a written health policy which demonstrates her good understanding of health and hygiene issues. All of the required documentation to promote the children’s good health is in place. Therefore the childminder is able to act promptly if an emergency arises.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet provided by the childminder. All food is prepared using fresh ingredients and the childminder uses her knowledge of healthy eating to ensure that children eat well. Drinks are made available throughout the day and children are encouraged to help themselves when possible using dedicated cups which promotes 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.

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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, going for walks, climbing on equipment in the garden, dancing and marching to the piano and going to toddler groups where they experience a wider range of large equipment. Children benefit from fresh air each day which stimulates their minds and bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they are encouraged to talk about foods which are good for them, wash their hands to prevent germs spreading and learn that physical activity is fun. This promotes a positive attitude and encourages them to adopt this lifestyle for their future good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and comfortable home which promotes their sense of security. Children have good access to a well equipped garden where they can play freely and safely. Children’s all round development is promoted very well because the childminder has a wide range of good, well-made toys and play materials. Equipment and play resources are checked regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a home which is regularly checked by the childminder for safety. She demonstrates her understanding of safety issues in her written safety policy and her emergency evacuation plan. The childminder has two fire alarms located on both levels of the home to give an early alert to any fire to enable her to evacuate the children quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively learning about keeping themselves safe through everyday routines. This is because the childminder reinforces safety measures with the children. For example, she explains to the children that they need to clear away some toys before getting out more so

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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 they do not trip on them and not to climb on the chairs as they may fall. Children talk about road safety and the zebra crossing as they play with cars and the roadway mat. They also learn about road safety through first hand experiences when out walking with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has a written safeguarding children policy which she shares with parents and carers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide range of activities and experiences in and out of the childminder’s home. Their confidence and self-esteem is well promoted through the good interaction between them and their childminder and they have lots of fun playing together. This promotes a positive attitude to their future learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language is very well promoted through purposeful conversation with childminder and good activities which promote their learning in this area. The childminder asks lots of open-ended questions encouraging children to think and reason. Children enjoy a good range of books which are readily available for them. The children are enthralled by the story and sit intently as they snuggle into the childminder and recognise favourite creatures in the book and help to count them. Children become very involved in the music and movement activity and march around the room enthusiastically playing the musical instruments while the childminder plays the piano.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children’s early mathematical skills are developed well as the childminder talks and plays with them. For example they compare shape, size and number as they use the puzzles and play mat. The children enjoy using the small world equipment; dressing-up and role play equipment and express their creativity as they make up games about going on holiday with the dolls and pushchair.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good access to toys and equipment which are well-organised and arranged at low-level. This effectively promotes the children’s independence skills and allows them to develop their own games and ideas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder liaises with parents and carers to ensure that children’s records contain information which enables appropriate and consistent care to be given. All children are treated with equal concern and respect and the childminder ensures that all children have equal access to the activities and facilities available. Children’s understanding of our similarities and differences is fostered when they share stories and play with multicultural play figures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop good relationships with the childminder who is warm and welcoming which fosters their sense of belonging. Children’s behaviour is good and they are polite and helpful.

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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 Their self-esteem is promoted very well as they are thanked for helping to tidy away and for sharing and taking turns. Children are provided with consistent boundaries to help them feel secure. Children begin to learn the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of their and others' actions as they talk with the childminder and listen to stories that have morals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are well informed about the childminder’s routines and child care practices. For example, she has produced an informative childminder profile folder which outlines her policies and procedures. Parents and carers have opportunities to exchange information about their child on a daily basis because the childminder makes time to talk with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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 access to children. Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios, training and qualifications requirements are met.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of child development through previous experience in childcare settings. All these measures contribute to the children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to take an active part in the home in which they are being cared for. Children’s needs are also met effectively because the childminder organises space and resources well to promote the children’s welfare and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required records and policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the childminding service, however she has not received two of the current documents, obtaining copies of these will further enhance her good practice. The childminder ensures that all documentation about individual children is shared with their parents and carers.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to update the leaflet for parents to include a policy regarding sick child and a sample menu. This has been updated therefore parents are better informed.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • obtain a copy of all current childminding documentations, this refers to the Addendum October 2005 and the "Birth to three matters" framework.

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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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