Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336763 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Oldman 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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children. They live in a house in a residential area of Canvey Island close to schools, pre-schools, the beach and adjacent to the lake. The whole of the childminder’s property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a full-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent/carer and toddler groups. The family has a dog and a tortoise. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home in which they learn the importance of good hygiene, personal care and how to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Young children thrive because their emotional, physical and nutritional needs are well met. They are developing their independence both physically and emotionally because of the childminder’s well organised

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 routines. The childminder understands the importance of young children being emotionally secure and forms close relationships where children benefit from some one to one time. They are encouraged to do things for themselves but know the childminder is ready to support if needed. She encourages them to bring familiar comfort items from home to help them feel secure when sleeping.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily outdoor activities help children's physical development as they increase their mobility, control and coordination. They develop positive attitudes to exercise and fresh air. Children enjoy opportunities to run in a nearby field as they walk to and from pre-school or stroll along the path to feed the ducks at the lake in front of the home. Children make full use of the garden to practise and refine their skills when manoeuvring prams, jumping on the trampoline or using the ride on toys. This is further enhanced with a varied range of toys and equipment in the home to develop children's large motor and fine manipulative skills. Children develop their coordination as they learn to feed the baby doll in the high chair or push her in the buggy. Young children are well supported as they gain bodily awareness. Children rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop positive attitudes to eating healthily as they are encouraged to explore new tastes by being actively involved in food preparation. Children's specific dietary needs are discussed with parents and positive steps are taken to support children's growth and development. Children make choices as the childminder creates time to discuss what they would like to drink and ensures they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children demonstrate they are beginning to understand the need for simple good health and hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and independently blow their noses on tissues before disposing of them hygienically to help stop the spread of infection. Children introduce simple health and hygiene practices into their role play. They know milk is good for babies and can be seen bottle feeding them and washing play food they have dropped before ‘feeding’ it to the dolls. Parents are given very clear information about the procedures if a child is unwell to help stop the spread of infection. The management of medicines is well organised to enable the childminder to act in children’s best interests. The childminder’s first aid training has been updated so that children’s minor accidents can be handled in an informed way and she has obtained written parental consent to seek any necessary

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and cared for in a generally safe and comfortable environment. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety both indoors and outdoors. The premises are secure and children are not able to leave them unsupervised. There is a good balance between freedom and safe boundaries in order to promote children’s growing independence. Good use is made of safety items such as safety gates, socket covers and smoke alarms to help children learn about potential hazards and learn to keep themselves safe. However, children are not yet fully protected as the safety rails at the top of the stair case have not been made safe or inaccessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a broad range of good quality toys and equipment that are organised to ensure they are suitable for children’s age and stage of development. The childminder has established good routines to ensure resources are clean and well-maintained. Children know

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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 to inform her of any breakages to help minimise hazards. Toys are stored to encourage children to initiate their own play and make choices about what they want to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures the safe control of children when on outings. When out walking they are beginning to know about road safety, they wear wrist restraints and learn about water safety to help them understand about potential dangers. Written consent has been obtained from parents concerning any outings she may make with the children and appropriate car seats are used to protect children. The childminder has given thought to a fire evacuation procedure and talks to the children about the meaning of the smoke alarm. However, they are not fully protected as they have not yet practised it in order to know what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She keeps up to date with current procedures through reading the recommended literature and knows what to do if she is concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. They are busy and enthusiastically initiate their own play. Children have formed friendships and show delight when they see each other, and play harmoniously together. The childminder creates inviting areas which encourage children to be independent, questioning, active and exploratory. Children chat animatedly, are imaginative and show interest in what they do. The childminder is caring, affectionate and shows tenderness. She offers plenty of support and cuddles to the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to challenge as they play with each other often retreating into an imaginary world of their own. They enthusiastically control and develop their own story in role play supported by the provision a wide range of small world play things. The childminder asks open ended questions to help them build on their first hand experiences and make links with what they know. They access craft materials to design, draw and create pictures. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they go on social outings. Regular visits are made to the toddler club and good use is made of local amenities such as Hadleigh Farm, Hockley Woods and Watt Tyler Park to enhance their experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is caring for children under the age of three years and adapts activities to meet their needs. She has attended training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework to optimise and support outcomes for young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well known because the childminder gathers the relevant information prior to starting to mind them, in order to meet their personal needs and provide suitable activities. Their personal details are recorded and updated as needed to reflect their changing needs. The childminder is aware that some children will have additional needs and these can be long or short term. She demonstrates a commitment to working closely with parents and effectively adapting activities and/or care routines to meet children's specific needs and promote their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated fairly and with equal concern which boosts their confidence and self-esteem. They benefit from first hand experiences that help them learn to respect the needs of others.

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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 Children are becoming familiar with, and use, simple sign language to help them communicate with others. They watch selective television programmes such as Mr Tumble and delight in copying the actions and signs used. Children become aware of wider society in meaningful ways. They go on trips in the local and wider community and develop their social skills when attending toddler groups. Children understand responsible behaviour as they are enabled to resolve any minor disagreements between themselves. The childminder shows children how to reason and compromise or negotiate terms when they play together. Through the childminder’s clear explanations they are helped to see how their actions and behaviour affects the lives of others. She explains the cause and effect of their behaviour and supports them to develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

personal values and a sense of what is right and wrong, and why.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents which results in good continuity of care for children. The childminder makes time to ensure there is good communication with parents on a daily basis. There is and exchange of information when children arrive and children’s achievements and care routines are shared at the end of each session. Parents know telephone enquiries regarding their child are welcomed by the childminder at any time.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a newly registered childminder who is a fully qualified nursery nurse. She is enthusiastic about her role and provides a warm and stable environment for children. The childminder has a sound regard for the well-being of the children. She understands the importance of protecting children from non-vetted persons, such as visitors to her home, and ensures they are always in her direct care. She has completed all the required training and the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance her skills and knowledge of childcare. Children have the opportunity to experience a range of age-appropriate activities, both inside and outside the home, because of the well-organised routines. Each week is thoughtfully planned to ensure time is made for children to benefit from a wide variety of experiences. There is a good balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities as they attend toddler groups,

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Organisation

take walks, go on outings, play both indoors and outdoors and take rests.

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Organisation

Records are maintained to support the welfare, care and development of the children and safe management of the provision. Records are well organised and stored, having good regard for confidentiality. She is aware of the need to seek written permission from parents for some aspects of the care she gives children to ensure parents are able to express their wishes appropriately in the care of their child. The childminder has a sound appreciation of what she must notify Ofsted about, thus ensuring any significant changes or events do not adversely affect the safety and welfare of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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 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): • ensure the emergency escape plan is practised • ensure that hazards to children on the premises are minimised. This refers to the first floor banister railings.

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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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