Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345418 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Heidi Falconer 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 re-registered in 2006, having previously been a childminder for over twenty years. She lives with her partner and adult son in the town of Saffron Walden, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part-time. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is supported well and they are protected from the risk of cross-infection. Babies are provided with their own face cloths and older children use disposable wipes to clean their faces and hands after meals. The childminder follows good hygiene routines wearing gloves to change nappies and cleaning down surfaces and highchairs with an anti-bacterial

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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 spray. The risk of cross-contamination is minimised further as the childminder implements her policy of excluding children who are unwell. Parents are fully informed of this written policy. All accidents to children are recorded accurately and shared with parents. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. As a result, there would be a delay in children receiving any further medical treatment, if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children are learning to adopt a healthy lifestyle by following good hygiene practices. They wash their hands after using the toilet and through discussions with the childminder they learn why it is important to wash their hands after they have flushed the toilet and not before. Children know that this is so that ‘germs don’t get into their tummies’.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder offers the provision of well balanced snacks and meals. However, this is flexible and the childminder works with parents to see what would best suit their needs. Any food provided by parents is placed immediately in the fridge to ensure that it remains safe and appetising for the children. The childminder understands the importance of ensuring that babies do not become dehydrated and she offers drinks to them throughout the day, particularly before their sleep and just after they have woken up. The childminder is contentious of the choking hazards that some foods can represent to babies, therefore, she grates hard foods such as apples and cheese before giving them to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is fostered well by a variety of activities which are on offer. For example, the childminder provides resources which support babies as they attempt to pull themselves to standing. Children of all ages enjoy daily opportunities for outside play. They regularly go on walks with the childminder and play at the local park on large apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s risk of accidental injury is reduced as the childminder has installed appropriate and effective safety equipment to keep children safe. For example, the childminder securely attaches a wooden board to the balustrade on her landing to prevent children from being able to climb on the bars. The childminder has purchased a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket for use in the event of a small fire. However, although the fire blanket is accessible it would be difficult to use in an emergency as it is not mounted as recommended by the manufacturer. Older children are learning to keep themselves safe as they discuss road safety with the childminder on their walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a well-organised environment. Furniture is arranged so that babies and young children have sufficient space to move about safely and play on the floor. Babies who require a rest sleep peacefully in travel cots upstairs. Children confidently self-select activities from a good range of appropriate toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. All resources and equipment are clean and well-maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, enabling her to protect the children from harm. She is aware of different types of abuse and who she must report any concerns to.

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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, content and settled in the childminder's home. This is due to the close bonds the childminder builds with the children in order to help them to feel safe and secure. The childminder interacts well with young babies, showing them that she is genuinely interested in them by mimicking their babbling and responding to their vocalisations with smiles and gestures. This supports young children’s communications as it develops their impulse to communicate with others. Babies interact playfully with the childminder as they hide under their muslins and play peek-a-boo. Babies giggle and squeal as they pull their muslin cloths from over their heads.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a range of age-appropriate activities. Babies enjoy participating in activities which stimulate their senses. For example, they enjoy opportunities to splash about in bowls of water and play with sand. Older children enjoy opportunities to paint, draw and use play dough to create volcanoes with the childminder. Children’s communication skills are developed as they join in songs and play musical instruments with the childminder. Children spontaneously sing favourite songs such as row, row, row your boat. Children have opportunities to socialise and mix with children of a similar age when they meet up with other minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Parents are kept informed about their child’s progress and activities through daily discussions with the childminder at the beginning and end of each day. The childminder is respectful of the wishes of parents and follows the detailed information she is given about children’s individual needs and diets. The childminder has recently developed some policies which she intends to share with parents so that they have more information on the care that she provides and the procedures that she follows. Some of the required written consents are obtained from parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a satisfactory range of resources, including books and dolls to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity. Children are introduced to their local environment through visits and walks so that they learn to feel part of their community. The childminder has a suitable understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and therefore would be able to provide them with appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children clearly enjoy the childminder's company, together they play, sit and cuddle. Children’s self-esteem is promoted through the praise they receive from the childminder. The childminder uses distraction techniques to manage young children’s behaviour. For example, as children attempt to access the television she distracts their attention with toys which are appealing. The childminder applies consistent boundaries to ensure that older children learn what is expected of them. For example, she explains for them that the sofas are to sit on and not to bounce on.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for by an experienced childminder who is enthusiastic about her job, and who evidently spends time with young children. Prior to being registered in 2006 the childminder previously worked as a childminder for over twenty years. She uses her wealth

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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 of experience to provide a home from home environment where children are happy and feel secure in her care. Since becoming re-registered the childminder has completed the required courses in paediatric first aid and childminding practice. Her attendance at these courses has ensured that her knowledge is up to date.

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Organisation

The childminder has generally suitable records and documentation in place which contributes to children’s safety and well-being. However, she has not obtained all of the required written consents from parents. The childminder displays her registration and training certificates clearly for parents to see in her hallway, so that parents are fully aware of her conditions of registration and her training. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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 complaint 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): • ensure that consents given by parents are in writing • ensure that the fire blanket is mounted as recommended by the manufacturer.

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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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