Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343953 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2007 Inspection date Patricia Mary Champion 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 partner and two children aged two and 11 years. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools and shops in Leigh-on-Sea. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged under five during the day and one child aged over eight years after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a rabbit and two goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder meets with other childminders on a regular basis and takes children to the local parks. She 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 satisfactory. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are offered nutritious meals and snacks and they learn about healthy living when they eat organic fruit and vegetables. Drinks are freely available throughout the day so that children do not become thirsty. The childminder ensures that she effectively meets children's individual needs by gathering information about any allergies or special dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment. Individual towels and liquid soap is provided so that children can wash their hands without the risk of cross-infection. Nappy changing is sensitively undertaken; the childminder protects children's health by wearing disposable gloves and she cleans her hands with anti-bacterial gel. The childminder has a written sickness policy and keeps a wealth of literature relating to children's health issues. As a result she is knowledgeable about communicable illness and the recommended exclusion periods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Overall children's health is satisfactorily protected because all the required paperwork is in place to record any accidents or when medication is administered. However, potentially children's welfare is compromised because the childminder does not consistently record when she gives them non-prescription medication. The childminder has two first aid kits readily accessible, but she may not always be able to deal appropriately with minor accidents as she does not have an up-to-date first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise each day, which contributes to their good health. They have great fun playing in the garden. They energetically bounce on the trampoline or practise their climbing and balancing skills on the outdoor apparatus. Regular outings are made to various parks in the local area. The childminder recognises when children are tired and she allows them to rest or sleep according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a generally safe and secure environment. The childminder is vigilant about the security of the children and the front door is always locked and a padlock is fitted to the garden gates to prevent unauthorised access or children leaving unnoticed. The childminder supervises children as they play and has minimised most potential risks within the premises. However, children's safety is potentially compromised as although the childminder supervises children when they are in her kitchen, there are cleaning products stored within easy reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe. They pick up tripping hazards from the floor and know to keep very small items away from the reach of babies. Children know that they need to wear seat belts and sit on appropriate car seats or booster seats when they travel in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a wide range of good quality, safe and suitable toys and equipment that meet safety standards. Any new purchases are bought from reputable suppliers and toys are checked frequently for damage and cleanliness. Play materials are regularly rotated to provide added interest and stimulation.

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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 safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of her child protection responsibilities. There is a clearly written child protection policy that includes relevant emergency contact numbers. The childminder has attended recent safeguarding training and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and confident in the childminder's care. They make choices from a wide variety of play materials, both indoors and outside. The childminder puts thought into the activities she provides and finds resources that directly relate to the children's current interests. All children are encouraged to develop their confidence to try new things because the childminder effectively supports them by providing suitable and challenging experiences. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her plan activities suitable for the youngest children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children build warm and friendly relationships with the childminder and other family members. Interaction is very good. Young children's language is promoted effectively because the childminder talks with them and asks questions to stimulate their thinking and encourage them to give interesting answers. The childminder responds enthusiastically to the children's requests and they all chat animatedly about recent events and current interests. Children show interest and ask questions in what they do. For example, they discuss with the childminder the names of the dinosaur models and talk about the films that have seen about prehistoric animals. Children develop new knowledge and skills as they play with the rabbit in the garden and help the childminder feed the goldfish. They find out about taking care of the environment as they learn about recycling and know that they have to put banana skins and vegetable peelings in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the compost bin. Children enjoy a range of interesting outings. Good use is made of local venues to extend children's learning and play experiences. For example, they visit Hadleigh Castle or play in nearby parks. There are plenty of opportunities for social events as the childminder regularly meets with other childminders in the area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome and part of the family. There are effective settling in procedures and children are invited to visit with parents prior to starting. The childminder ensures that she finds out about any additional needs that a child may have to enable her to provide the best possible care. There is an equal opportunities policy that covers all aspects of the care provided. Children learn about the wider world as they play with toys and books that show positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well as they observe social skills such as sharing toys or taking turns with play equipment. The childminder has consistent behaviour management strategies and there are clearly written house rules for the children to follow. Children learn about good manners and politeness and show respect for each other by playing harmoniously. Plenty of praise, encouragement and cuddles are given to raise confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is supported through the friendly and helpful relationships with parents and carers. Information about her service, including all written policies and procedures is shared with parents. There are clear contracts that cover the business arrangements and parents have

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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 signed relevant consent agreements. The childminder has organised a written complaints policy and is fully aware of the need to keep a complaints log that she can share with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident as the childminder has an organised routine. Play space and resources are arranged to meet the children's needs effectively. All adult members of the family have been appropriately checked and vetted. The childminder is motivated and uses information gathered from training to support her childcare practice. She has attended the introductory childminder training course. Although the childminder has booked her first aid training course, she does not hold an up-to-date first aid certificate.

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Organisation

Documentation is mostly well organised with regard given to confidentiality. The childminder has written policies and procedures to cover all aspects of her practice. She has an emergency back up plan so that children are appropriately supported when necessary by an alternative childminder. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the provision.

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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 a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that a record is always kept when medication is administered • assess the risks to children in relation to the cleaning products in the kitchen and take action to minimise these.

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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 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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