Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334902 Unique Reference Number 25 April 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 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 two children aged 14 and nine years. They live in a house in a residential area of Stanford-le-Hope, close to schools, pre-schools, parks, library and the local shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding. 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 three children at any one time and is currently caring for two children, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. There are no pets in the home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the

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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. Young children make satisfactory progress because their nutritional and emotional needs are met. They are developing their independence both physically and emotionally. Young children are acquiring control over the bodies as they practise developing skills. Children's specific dietary needs are discussed with parents and positive steps are taken to support children's growth and development. Children are fed and sleep according to their individual needs.

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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. The day is planned to provide opportunities for young children to be involved in activity, rest and relaxation. They have times to play both indoors and outdoors and are taken for walks in the buggy and sometimes play in the park where they benefit from fresh air. There is a varied range of toys and equipment to develop children's large motor and fine manipulative skills, and promote bodily awareness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn to understand the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices as the childminder talks about her daily routines with them. Children learn not to pick up food that has dropped to the floor and a verbal sickness policy is shared with parents to help prevent the spread of infection. The management of medicines is organised to enable the childminder to act in children’s best interests and children do not attend if they are unwell. The childminder can deal with minor injuries, however, children are not fully protected as she has not yet completed the required first aid training or requested written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are able to be independent, active and explore in a generally safe and child-friendly environment. There is a satisfactory balance between physical freedom and safe limits. Informal daily risk assessments are carried out by the childminder and action is taken to reduce risks within the home, such as using cupboard locks and socket covers. Children are beginning to understand there are rules and restrictions, such as, not eating food that has been dropped on the floor, to help keep them safe. Good use is made of safety items such as stair gates to help children to develop an understanding of potential hazards and safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents are asked to give clear information regarding the people authorised to collect their child. When on outings the childminder transports children appropriately. She caters for children’s personal needs and ensures her mobile phone is readily available, and contains important telephone contact details, should an emergency arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Smoke detectors are checked and a suitable fire blanket is in place to help protect children. The childminder has given thought to devising a clear emergency evacuation plan and this will be introduced to children in age-appropriate stages to help them learn to keep themselves safe. Children are enabled to independently access activities from a range of good quality toys and equipment in the home. These are made easily accessible and organised to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stages of development. The childminder has an adequate awareness of the need to safeguard children. She understands that she has responsibility for child

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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 protection and is aware of the need to implement appropriate procedures if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settling well. They enjoy being close and are secure in their relationship with the childminder, who is attentive in her responses to them. Children benefit from the freedom to express their imaginations as they play with stimulating toys. Children learn effectively through their play because the childminder dedicates her time to playing with them. This helps children to develop their ideas, confidence and competence knowing the childminder is close by for support. By joining in with their play she finds out what they know and then extends their understanding. For example, singing songs and interacting with them as they learn the actions of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’. This helps them to develop confidence in using language and understand the different ways in which meaning can be expressed. Children are beginning to demonstrate a love of books and enjoy sharing them with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to make choices and take decisions about their play because a range of toys are made readily available to them. The childminder puts thought into providing activities that are age-appropriate and will offer challenge or extend children's knowledge and skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are developing an awareness of themselves as individuals and are gaining confidence in finding out what they can do. They are developing their skills as they enjoy a varied range of activities that promote their all round development. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to adapting activities and play opportunities to meet the needs of all children. She understands the importance of children being emotionally secure and gives them her attention and praises their achievements. They respond with lots of smiles and eye contact as they make happy noises. Children are beginning to develop independence in organising their play, supported by the childminder being close by together with the arrangement of the routines, materials and equipment. They are beginning to learn the importance of sharing and respecting the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have some opportunities to gain an awareness of wider society as they look at books, however, the childminder recognises that she has limited toys that allow children to observe differences and similarities between themselves and others. Children benefit from a positive partnership with parents. The childminder provides flexible care to suit the parents' different working patterns and the individual needs of the children. Information is sought to ensure that children’s individual care routines, and parents' preferences, are known and met. Clear written contracts and children’s record forms are maintained to help ensure they are cared for according to parental wishes. However, the childminder has not obtained all written parental consents to ensure parents are fully aware of her roles and responsibilities and to ensure children's welfare is fully supported. For example, consent to take children on outings, transport them in a vehicle

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Helping children make a positive contribution

or seek any necessary emergency advice or treatment.

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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 cared for in a safe and generally secure home where the adults have been checked and vetted to ensure their suitability to be in contact with children. The childminder is booked to attend the required local authority training and is aware she must complete a first aid training course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children within six months of becoming registered in order to meet the suitability requirements. The home is organised to provide a stimulating environment for children. The main play space is organised in the lounge and good use is made of the garden which provides children with ample space to move around and play comfortably. Toys and resources are regularly rotated from the built in cupboard in the lounge to encourage children to make independent choices and decisions about their play.

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Organisation

Children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution are supported by the procedures in place that promote the safe management of the setting. Most of the required documentation and record keeping systems are in place, available for inspection and stored confidentially. These are shared verbally with parents to inform them of the childminder's routines and care practices. The childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of the National Standards and associated guidance and has satisfactorily implemented them into her care practice; however, this will be enhanced with attending the required training.

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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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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): • complete the local authority approved childminding course and a first aid course, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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 • obtain all written parental consents to ensure parents are made fully aware of the routines and care practices. This refers to consent to take children on outings, to transport them in a vehicle and seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • develop the range of resources to ensure that all children have equal access to an appropriate range of activities and play equipment promoting 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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