Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

202250 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2007 Inspection date Deirdra Keating 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 1996. She lives with her husband and three children aged 21,12 and 9. They live in a residential area of Colchester in a detached house. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an area of enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. Of these, two are full-time and three attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family has a pet dog, cat, bird and goldfish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 outstanding. Children's health is promoted excellently through a wide range of polices that are proactively shared and agreed with parents. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is promoted extremely well, appealing toiletries and named towels encourage children to wash their hands. An up to date exclusion policy ensures children's health is not compromised. The childminder is very proactive in minimising cross-infection and has attended training to secure her knowledge. Extremely well thought out procedures are in place in the event of children becoming ill or having an accident. A well stocked first aid kit is readily available and the childminder has a current first aid certificate. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs in a well ventilated bedroom where they are regularly checked. Colourful and child-friendly bed linen is provided for each child. A travel cot and listening monitor is available for younger children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met extremely well as the childminder actively promotes healthy eating. Healthy and nutritious snacks are freshly prepared including toast, fresh fruit, crumpets and spreads. Very high standards are maintained during the preparation of food in the spotlessly clean kitchen. Children's individual dietary requirements are recorded and respected according to parents wishes. Free access to drinking water ensures children remain very well hydrated at all times. The childminder is very proactive in promoting a healthy diet which encourages the children to learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children greatly enjoy the benefit of daily fresh air. They walk to the local park and playgroup and have free access to a secure area of the garden. This has been organised well to provide protection from the sun. During colder weather children enjoy large apparatus set up in the spacious house on the soft carpet.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

This enables them to develop their skills and provides exercise. Younger children have ample room to pull themselves up and move around the furniture. A very good range of equipment supports their physical development extremely well.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in a warm and comfortable environment. The whole of the spacious ground floor is available to children. The toilet facilities are easily accessible which promotes children's independence. Small child sized furniture enables children to sit and play together comfortably. A good range of resources are laid out daily and the children are able to make choices about how to spend their time. The equipment is safe, well maintained and checked daily prior to children arriving. A balanced range of resources are rotated to ensure that activities are of interest and appropriate to the age and stage of the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained well by steps taken by the childminder to minimise all potential risks. Preventative fire measures are all in place and practise evacuations are logged. Children are taken on outings in safe and suitable car seats with written permission from parents. They wear identity bands detailing emergency contact numbers. Venues are risk assessed prior to a visit to ensure children's safety and well-being. The children's understanding of danger is reinforced well by the childminder who uses leaflets, games and discussions to encourage

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 children to think about dangers. This ensures children understand the need to be vigilant about their safety. The garden and house are risk assessed daily and children are supervised at all times. The garden gate is kept locked, however the garden is not secure as there is no fencing along part of the back boundary which leads onto a field. A smaller area close to the house has been securely enclosed and enables children to have free access to the patio leading from the lounge.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected well from potential harm as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. Recent child protection training has underpinned her knowledge and provides the correct procedures to follow. A clear policy with relevant and up to date information ensures that the childminder is confident in her knowledge should a concern arise. Parents are fully informed of the childminders policy prior to admission and a confidential incident book is provided.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of play opportunities through a balanced selection of resources. Activities are well-organised to enable children to self-select and make choices about how to spend their time. The childminder is warm gentle and intuitive to the needs of the children. Good settling in procedures ensure that children are settled and secure. The children attend a number of groups every week which encourages them to develop their social skills. They interact well together sharing toys and resources and showing concern for one another. A good range of stimulating activities are provided including painting, play dough and cooking. This provides children with hands on experiences through which they can learn and develop. Children have good opportunities to explore and investigate through messy play which is regularly provided. A range of interesting and creative resources such as colour tubs, magnets, feathers and shells

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provide sensory and tactile objects for children. The childminder interacts well with the children asking open ended questions and encouraging their language development. Small albums showing photographs the children have taken on a walk encourage them to remember their pictures through discussion. Children's creativity and imagination are supported well through role play and art and craft. A notice board displays some of their pictures giving them a sense of achievement and pride.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their physical skills well through a range of planned activities. They use scissors and coloured pens with precision and control. Children are gaining good self-care skills as they dress to go outside. Younger children develop their skills through the good range of equipment available. A good range of sensory resources are also available.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and have a good sense of belonging. Photographs of families give children links with their homes and have a personal meaning to each child. Careful planning and supervision ensure that children all have equal access to resources and toys. The childminder is proactive in obtaining information regarding children's likes and dislikes. This ensues she

p.4

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 knows the children well and caters for their individual needs. The children learn about diversity through resources that reflect positive images of people from different backgrounds. They learn about different customs including Chinese new year through dressing up clothes and traditional decorations. The childminder would support a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is very positive in her approach. She has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and understands the need to access information and support.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a good understanding of expected behaviour as the childminder has a few simple rules. Effective strategies that are suitable to the age of the child ensure children understand the house rules. Positive reinforcement encourages children to know their good behaviour is valued. Children who are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care are rewarded with stickers and praise. Any behavioural incidents are dealt with in a firm and gentle manner and discussed with parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that individual needs are met and recorded in written agreements. Comprehensive and clear information is given to parents prior to admission to give details about the childminders practice. Detailed home diaries give parents an overview of their child's day which ensures an appropriate response to their ever changing needs. Relevant and up to date information is displayed for parents on

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

a notice board. The childminder has a positive working relationship with parents. This is supported by letters from parents detailing aspects of her good practice.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for extremely well by a motivated and experienced childminder who organises her day very well to provide a balance of rich activities both in and outside. Children are very happy and secure as they receive excellent levels of care and support from the dedicated and knowledgeable childminder. The childminder is committed to furthering her professional development through ongoing training. Many courses and related experiences enrich the childminders knowledge of children's development. Children relish their time in this brilliantly organised environment, they are secure and confident as they play happily together.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. Clear and effective polices ensure children are extremely well cared for and underpin all aspects of practice. Honest self-evaluation allows the childminder to reflect on her practice. Recent updates have been comprehensively understood with relevant information displayed for parents. Comprehensive and well-organised documentation that exceeds requirements is stored confidentially and securely. Consequently children's welfare, learning and play are fostered. Overall the children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to improve the selection of toys promoting equality of opportunity. This has now been done and the children have opportunities to learn about their similarities and differences through a range of resources and toys that reflect diversity. The provider was also asked to obtain the most recent publications regarding child protection

p.5

Improvements 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 procedures. Current and up to date information has been obtained to provide the childminder with the correct procedures in the event of a child protection issue. This ensures the children's safety and well-being.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that the required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet National Standards. 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.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 children can play safely in the garden (this refers to the area where there is no fence).

p.6

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.6

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