Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334849 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Tina Anne Mason 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 2006. She lives with her husband and 1 adult child in Chafford Hundred. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one minded child on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's dietary needs are met. The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers to meet each child's individual needs. Children benefit from healthy snacks and drinks. While parents currently provide the main meals for their children, the childminder has an understanding of what constitutes as a healthy, nutritious diet.

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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 Children are effectively protected from cross-infection by the satisfactory standards of hygiene maintained by the childminder within her home. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines. This is supported by the childminder's nappy changing procedures and hand washing routines. The childminder has most of the relevant documentation required to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded, such as accident and incident books. However the childminder is yet to obtain written permission from parents and carers allowing her to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional needs are valued. The childminder gives reassurance, cuddles and praise throughout the day. Children are welcomed by the childminder's friendly approach. For example, the childminder uses happy facial expressions and positive body language when interacting with young babies on their arrival and throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are safe and secure; as a result, children are able to move around freely and safely. In addition, appropriate security on the front door means children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Toys are clean and in good condition because the childminder checks and cleans them. Children taking a daytime rest do so downstairs where the childminder is close by, and sleeping arrangements for young children take account of individual routines. There are effective procedures in place for the safe collection of children, to ensure they are only collected by authorised adults.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are kept safe on outings because the childminder applies appropriate safety measures such as ensuring younger children are strapped securely in the buggy and older children hold on to the buggy or walk close by. In addition, children’s contact details are taken on outings to ensure parents can be contacted promptly in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of issues and procedures relating to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children happily settle in the childminder's care and eagerly engage in activities. They confidently initiate interaction with the childminder who has built a close and caring relationship with the children, helping them to develop a strong sense of security that promotes their self-esteem. The childminder provides a sound balance of child initiated and adult led activities helping to foster the children's all round development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and young children are supported well and the childminder uses her knowledge and skills to help babies become skilful communicators and competent learners. Interactive sensory toys are provided and children enjoy playing outdoors with the sand. They show interest in activity centres that stimulate their senses and they enjoy exploring textures and sound with every day objects, such as plastic bowls and spoons. The childminder uses repetitive language and communicates with babies using facial expressions and voice intonation to gain their attention.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and enjoy a consistent and organised routine that affords them opportunities to be active and relax. Realistic expectations and a consistent approach by the childminder helps the children to learn about right and wrong and strategies for managing unwanted behaviour take account of children’s ages and stages of development. As a result, children’s behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals, differences embraced and each child treated with equal concern. A child record form details children's dietary requirements, medical needs, likes and dislikes, all of which help the childminder provide the appropriate care. The childminder has daily discussions with the parents and carers about their child's sleep patterns, nappy changes, bottle feeds and meal times. However this information is not formally recorded.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has created an organised physical environment, making best use of space available to support children's care, learning and play needs. Children are kept safe as there are systems in place to ensure that all adults in the household are vetted and children are never left with unregistered persons.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that she works within the conditions of her registration at all times. The daily record of children's attendance clearly details times of arrival and departure. She has completed a pre-registration course and appropriate First Aid training. This ensures that children benefit from her knowledge and understanding of current childminding practice. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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 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): • obtain written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • consider how you share information about the babies sleep, feeding and nappy changing routines.

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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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