Hawes, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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590038 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2007 Inspection date Jima Fotopoulou 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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She lives with her partner and one child aged 11 years. They live in a residential area of Braintree, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding 10 children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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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 satisfactory. Children are helped to become aware of the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's support. They are encouraged to wash hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. The childminder follows satisfactory procedures when changing nappies in order to ensure younger children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a variety of snacks; the childminder ensures that healthy options are always available to children such as fresh fruit. The childminder liaises with the parents who provide most of the children's food. The childminder is aware of individual dietary requirements; these are discussed during the initial visit and are recorded in the child records in order to ensure children's health. Children learn about healthy eating through discussions with the childminder and by having healthy options readily available to them. Children have access to drinks at all times which ensures that they remain sufficiently hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's satisfactory procedures which include having a written sick child policy which is shared with the parents. Most of the required health related documentation is in place to support the childminder and ensure children's health and welfare. However, the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate, as required, in order to ensure children's health. Children are protected well from cross infections as the childminder ensures that all children are provided with individual bedding which is washed every weekend; the childminder ensures that all cutlery are sterilised and all surfaces thoroughly cleaned in order to protect children from infections and contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills by having access to a safe and fully enclosed garden with a wide range of suitable, outdoor play equipment. For example, children develop gross motor skills by using a child size climbing frame and slide or they develop their sense of space by riding their wheeled toys. The childminder takes children on regular outings which include nature walks, visits to the beach and the zoo as well as visits to the local park which means that children are provided with opportunities to play in the fresh air. The childminder has obtained the required parental consent to ensure that the children are cared for according to their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy access to a safe and well-organised environment. The childminder carries out formal written risk assessments on a regular basis in order to ensure children's safety. The childminder is very vigilant and ensures that the premises, toys and equipment are safe for the children to use as she carries out informal risk assessments on a daily basis. This ensures that children are kept safe in the childminder's home. The childminder provides children with a suitable range of toys and resources; these are kept at child height which allows children to use their initiative and fosters their independence. Younger children's safety is well promoted as the childminder ensures that unsuitable toys for this age group are kept out of their reach.

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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 Children are kept safe indoors as the childminder has all the required fire safety equipment in place. The childminder checks the smoke alarms regularly in order to ensure that they remain in good working condition. The childminder has devised a written fire evacuation procedure in order to ensure children's safety; she carries out fire drills with the children in order to raise their awareness of keeping themselves safe in case of a fire. The childminder keeps a written log of the fire drills carried out in order to support her practice. All safety related documentation as well as all the required parental consents are in place in order to support the childminder and ensure that parents are kept fully informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when on outings due to the childminder's effective procedures which include carrying out risk assessments prior to allowing children to use any equipment. The childminder carries parental contact details with her at all times in order to ensure that parents can be contacted immediately in case of emergency. The childminder has a first aid box with her at all times in order to ensure children's health and safety. She has put extra precaution measures in place such as using wrist harnesses and T-shirts with her contact details on for children to wear when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder recognises signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she is aware of the appropriate actions to take in case of child protection concerns which means that children are safe in her care. The childminder has a child protection policy in place which she shares with the parents in their initial visit which ensures that they are fully aware of her responsibilities towards the children. Although, the childminder is aware of the local child protection procedures, she has not obtained the government booklet 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused' in order to support her practice. Children are well protected from unvetted people as the childminder releases children only to their parents or people nominated by them. She requests a full description and a photograph of any person other than the parents who might be collecting the children from her care in order to ensure children's safety.

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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 a suitable range of toys and resources both indoors and outdoors which helps them develop their skills through play. Toys and resources are rotated in order to sustain children's interest; the available toys and equipment are kept at child height which allows children to make choices and fosters their independence. The childminder uses praise in order to help children develop confidence and positive self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in suitable and age-appropriate activities which helps them develop their creativity, hand and eye coordination and imagination. For example, children are encouraged to draw using different colour crayons; the childminder encourages children to say the colour of the crayon they are using in order to help children learn new words. Children are provided with pretend play equipment which they use for role play for example pretending to give their mummy a call or cook a meal using play food and a child size kitchen. Children have warm relationships with the childminder; they are offered emotional support in the form of cuddles and they are happy to sit in her lap. The childminder responds to the children's facial expressions encouraging them to bubble in order to help them develop emerging language. The childminder

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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 is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which ensures positive outcomes for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children go on regular outings with the childminder such as visits to the beach and the zoo as well as visits to the local park and nature walks. This ensures that children are provided with opportunities to develop their physical skills and gain an awareness of the world beyond their home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with respect which helps them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity which means that all children are included in the life of the setting. The childminder ensures that all children, regardless of their gender, have access to the same play opportunities which helps children avoid gender stereotypes. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider community through discussions, going on outings with the childminder and through reading books from the library. However, children have access to a limited range of multicultural resources which promote anti-discriminatory practice in their everyday play; this means that their developing awareness of the wider community is compromised. The childminder has an equal opportunities policy in place in order to support her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is committed in offering appropriate care and she ensures that their needs are met by discussing their care requirements with their parents. The childminder uses praise and encouragement in order to motivate and encourage children to behave well. She uses age-appropriate techniques such as discussion and explanation in order to manage challenging behaviour. The childminder has a behaviour management policy and house rules in place which are shared with the parents in their initial visit in order to ensure consistency between the setting and the children's home. An incident book is in place, as required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges verbal information with them on a daily basis; they are also provided with a notice board where relevant information is displayed. The childminder shares the policies and procedures with the parents in their initial visit in order to enable them to make informed decisions regarding the level of care their children are receiving. The childminder is aware of the changes to the regulations regarding the complaints procedure and has systems in place in order to ensure that any complaint will be dealt with effectively. Parents are kept informed about the contact details of the regulator should they wish to express any concerns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has written agreements in place in order to ensure that she forms good working relationships with the parents. She keeps complete child records and has obtained all the required parental consents in order to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and benefit from a homely environment which helps them feel secure and confident. The range and quality of the activities both indoors and outdoors is satisfactory and appropriately supports children's learning and play.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place to support the childminder and ensure children's health, safety and well-being. However, the childminder has not updated her knowledge in first aid, as required, in order to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of an emergency. The childminder has devised a comprehensive portfolio of policies and procedures in order to support her practice. She is aware that all adults living or working on the premises need to be vetted in order to ensure children's safety. Confidentiality is maintained and existing files are stored safely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. The childminder has read books from the library with the children and she has cared for children from different ethnic backgrounds; she has an equal opportunities policy in place in order to support her practice and ensure that all children are treated with equal respect and concern and that they are all included in the life of the setting. This positive approach ensures that all children are appropriately supported in the childminder's care.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • ensure that a current first aid certificate is always maintained • obtain the government booklet 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused' • ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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