Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341968 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Lynn Denise Smith 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 one child aged 22 months in West Mersea, Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children, she takes children to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and medical needs are met by the childminder working closely with their parents. Their individual requirements are shared between the parents and the childminder and she uses this information to inform her practice. Children who are unwell within the childminder's care are comforted and their parents contacted for advice. Their medical needs are however

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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 compromised as the childminder does not have a sufficient first aid kit available and has not yet completed an appropriate first aid course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding about how to keep healthy within the childminder's care as they follow her clear advice about hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. They are developing their knowledge about the importance of this practice through gentle conversations with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met by the childminder and parents being committed to providing children with a healthy and well-balanced diet. They either have a packed meal, provided by their parents or join the childminder's family for a balanced and nutritious meal. They sit together to eat their meals and have regular access to drinking water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play outdoors daily which enables them to experience fresh air and exercise each day. They visit the local park, go for walks and play on the local beach with the childminder. They also have daily access to the childminder's rear garden, which offers a safe and secure play space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean and organised home. They move freely between the lounge and playroom and access the kitchen with the childminder's supervision. Children generally play on the ground floor, however access the first floor to use the bathroom. Children make good use of the childminder's rear garden, which is accessed through doors from the playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a suitable range of toys and play equipment from the selection provided on low level shelving. Resources which are more suitable for older children are stored on higher shelves and accessed by the childminder. Children play with clean and hygienic toys and play materials, as the childminder has implemented a clear procedure for keeping all of the equipment clean and well-maintained. Children sometimes help the childminder to sort through the equipment and discard anything with is dangerous or not appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a clear understanding about safety around the home as the childminder reminds them about being sensible and following her directions. They have clear procedures for keeping safe when they go for walks and know that they must stay close to the childminder and watch carefully for a safe place to cross roads. Children have access to a large trampoline which is surrounded by a safety net. They are encouraged to play individually on this piece of equipment and the childminder supervises them at all times. Children's access to the family's large paddling pool is to be made inaccessible by the childminder, as she is unhappy with it's position and intends to move it to a section of the garden which minded children do not have access to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential harm as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She is knowledgeable about local procedures and how to use them.

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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 satisfactory. Children freely access an interesting selection of toys and play equipment from the range available to them. They make choices over their play and guide their own interests. Children enjoy both quiet and active times during their day at the childminder's house. During the quiet times they like to listen to stories or gentle music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are creative, they participate in planned and organised creative activities as well as free play activities whereby they make decisions about what they want to create. Children learn about weight and measurement when they make cakes at the childminder's house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the natural world when they go for walks in the local area, to parks and to the beach. They collect items of interest and the childminder helps to develop their knowledge of growing through activities such as planting and tending to sunflowers and tomato plants.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are shared with the childminder by the parents when they meet to discuss the childminding arrangement. The childminder uses this information to inform her practice and to ensure that she is fully aware of the children's home backgrounds, likes and dislikes. Children have some opportunities to learn about other people and their differing needs through positive resources in books and play materials. Children who require additional help are supported by the childminder working closely with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand the childminder's house rules and boundaries as she re-enforces them in a positive and suitable manner. They are beginning to learn about right and wrong as the childminder talks to them about their actions and how their actions may affect the other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder and parents develop a close working relationship. They talk openly about the children's day and what the children have been doing. A regular exchange of information enables the childminder to be fully informed about the children's changing needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who is in her first year of childminding. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Course which has prepared her for offering the families in her care a safe and secure childminding service. The childminder is interested in pursuing further training and is planning to devise and implement a range of written policies to support her service.

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Organisation

The childminder is not currently meeting Standard 1 with regards to completion of an appropriate first aid course within six months of becoming a registered childminder. This issues has, however been addressed by the childminder gaining a place on the first available course, which will take place at the end of June 2007.

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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 Children are cared for in small numbers which enables the childminder to offer them some individual attention. Their day is organised around the pre-school day, ensuring that their needs are effectively met and that they have a range of quiet and busy times.

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Organisation

Appropriate records and documentation are available for inspection, however some are a little sparse and have not been efficiently completed.

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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 an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure a first aid kit is available at all times • ensure children's safety at all times, this is with reference to the large paddling pool which has a soft cover which could become full of water and pose a potential hazard to young children • ensure that relevant records which include children's details are available at all times.

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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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