Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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154940 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Lisa Paisley 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 2001. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children aged 14 and 11 years in Shoeburyness, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are 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 six children at any one time and overnight care for a maximum of two children at anyone time. The childminder is currently minding one child under five part time and one child over five after school and occasionally during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where a good standard of hygiene is maintained. Children are actively encouraged to wash their hands as part of daily routines, for example, before snacks and meals and after using the toilet. Clear written procedures are in place in the event of an emergency or when children are taken ill. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate, all required items in the first aid box are in place and it is accessible to the childminder. This results in children being well cared for and effective procedures being carried out in the event of an emergency, accident or when a child requires medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to regular physical play, for example, regular trips out to the local park and beach and trips further a field to Marsh farm and Tropical Wings. This enables children to practise and their large physical skills, ensuring they are making good progress in all areas of their physical development. Young children’s physical development is well supported as they are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables and dried raisins. Parents provide the midday meal, however, the childminder encourages parents to provide healthy lunches, promoting healthy eating habits for children. All items in the children's lunch boxes are stored appropriately, ensuring the food is suitable for consumption at lunch time. They are able to help themselves to drinks, for example, fresh drinking water, milk and low sugar fruit juice, encouraging independence and choice. Children sit at the dining room table where lots of conversation is encouraged, resulting in snack and meal times being a fun and sociable experience for all the children. The childminder works with the parents to ensure children’s dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is very warm and welcoming and children are able to access a good range of activities safely due to the good organisation of play equipment. Resources are of a good standard and effective steps are taken to ensure items are well maintained, for example, monthly checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to move around the home safely and independently as all potential risks have minimised. For example, all low level sockets are protected, safety gates are securely fixed and used appropriately and the front door and garden are secure. Children’s awareness of personal safety is developed through practising regular fire drills and there are clear procedures for walking to and from schools. Discussions with children about stranger danger and how they can keep themselves safe helps children develop an awareness of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She has recently updated her training and obtained appropriate information such as the Local Safeguarding Children Broad (LSCB). Parents are fully informed of her role, reassuring them of their child’s safety and welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and contented in the home as they are warmly welcomed by the childminder. They are offered a wide variety of activities and play experiences that are interesting, age appropriate and challenging, for example, creative activities, puzzles, small world play, books and building bricks. Children are effectively supervised and well supported in their play and they are able to make choices with regards to their play fostering choice and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has obtained the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however, further familiarisation and consolidation is required to help further improve the outcomes for young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s confidence and independence is developed as the childminder skilfully organises her time between children's individual needs, for example, providing cuddles and reassurance and looking at books together. Children are encouraged to make decisions about their play and they engage in lots of activities where they can explore and investigate. The childminder is interested in what children say and do and she creates warm and close relationships with all the children as they are valued as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the home as the childminder provides a safe and secure environment, where inclusion is positively promoted. As the childminder has a secure practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Children gain an awareness of diversity as there are a suitable range of activities and resources offered to children. For example books, dolls, play people and cooking activities such as making Easter cakes. Children also celebrate a number of festivals, for example, Halloween, Mother's day and Easter. Children learn about their local community through regular trips out to the local shops, park and beach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of managing children’s behaviour sensitively and positively. They are encouraged to make positive relationships with other children and family members as activities encourage sharing, turn taking and problem solving. Children receive regular praise and encouragement which promotes children’s emotional well-being and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are well informed about the care that the childminder provides, as they are given clear written information about her role, written policies, certificates and reports. Parents receive verbal feedback on a regular basis and they are updated with regard to any changes to the child’s day, for example, planned outings. This results in good continuity of care for all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home and daily routines are well-organised, ensuring children are warmly welcomed and the transition from parent to childminder is a positive experience for all the children. They are

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 supervised effectively at all times and daily routines are planned to incorporate school collections and individual time with the younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder updates her child care knowledge through attending regular training days, for example, safeguarding children, managing children's behaviour and first aid training. The childminder has completed her Introduction to Childminding Preparation (ICP), Developing Childminding Practice (DCP) and Extending Childminding Practice (ECP) training, improving the quality of care offered.

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Organisation

Records, policies and procedures are efficiently organised ensuring that the childminder continues to meet the National Standards and providing good continuity of care for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain any advice or support that helps you to ensure that the needs of individual children are met (This refers to Makaton awareness). The childminder obtained information regarding Makaton and she implemented this within her practice to appropriately support children. Ensuring children's needs are further met.

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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 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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 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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