Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344575 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2007 Inspection date Janette Elaina Lockwood 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 2006. She lives with her husband and son aged 10 months in Rayleigh, Essex. The whole of the house is used for childminding although children play downstairs 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National, Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder provides a very clean and hygienic environment home for children. She frequently uses antibacterial spray on surfaces such as the nappy mat and cleans toys regularly to effectively help prevent the spread of germs between children. The childminder washes her

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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 hands properly and actively encourages the children to do so before eating and after going to the toilet. As children become more independent in their hand-washing, the childminder intends to provide individual towels for them to actively prevent cross infection. In addition she teaches children to cover their mouths when they cough and in this way they are learning to contribute to keeping each other healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

If children are taken ill or have an accident, the childminder follows her well-written policy to make sure she cares for them efficiently and in a caring manner. In addition, an up-to-date first aid certificate together with well-maintained medication and accident records, help the childminder to meet children’s individual health needs effectively. The childminder has devised forms for permission to seek emergency advice or treatment which are comprehensive and take account of parents’ wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished and have a healthy diet as the childminder ensures she only provides healthy foods for children. For example, children are not offered chocolate or biscuits but have a choice of fruit for snacks. The childminder is happy for parents to provide food for their children if they wish, but she is equally willing to provide meals for the children. Any allergies or religious or medical diets are taken into consideration and the childminder liaises closely with parents on such matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is highly aware of the importance of enabling children to build their physical skills effectively and is currently looking to increase her range of outdoor toys. She takes the children on regular walks to the park and they sometimes visit an indoor play centre. Children benefit from using a range of equipment and activities indoors to help them practise their finer motor movements. For example, puzzles and activity toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure children can play in safety and comfort in her home, organising plenty of play space for children who mainly play in the lounge and conservatory depending on their activities. There is a wide range of good quality toys and furniture for children to use to meet their needs and many toys can be accessed by the children themselves so they can choose some of their own play things. There is direct access to the garden which is fully enclosed and the childminder has made this safer for children by removing certain plants which she found to be unsuitable for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder actively minimises risks to children in the home, for example, by using covers on sharp corners of furniture and using a barrier to prevent children gaining access to the kitchen whilst she is cooking. Although some of the lower glass panes of the internal door to the lounge have been covered with safety film, the next level up of glass panes are not covered. These could still be reached by older children and pose a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If younger children are sleeping, they use a travel cot upstairs with a baby monitor nearby that helps the childminder to know they are safe. The childminder has a clearly written fire escape plan and a drawing of her premises to help her think carefully about different emergency scenarios. Furthermore, she practises fire drills regularly and keeps a record of them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning some safety rules for themselves as the childminder talks to them about dangers and how they can keep themselves safe. For example, she talks to all the children about road safety and shows them safe places to cross the road with her.

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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 The childminder has a clearly written child protection policy along with relevant booklets and information. She keeps telephone numbers readily available for reference and thoroughly understands her personal responsibilities to protect children. The childminder is confident she would recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and records existing injuries. In addition she is aware of the correct procedures to follow so that children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good quality opportunities to enjoy and achieve in this setting and the childminder demonstrates her deep understanding of how children develop and learn through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Effective interaction helps children to develop their communication skills, with the childminder asking them lots of questions about what they are doing or what they can see, for example, when sharing picture books. The childminder gives children time to think and to answer her before helping them to extend their language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses a form of signing to help children in their early communication, giving them opportunities to let the her know more clearly what they want or need. For example, a toddler can sign to say they want their nappy changed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans some specific activities to keep them motivated but is equally aware of the importance of allowing them time to choose their own play and to experiment and absorb themselves in what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn effectively through everyday routines and activities, eagerly taking on new concepts such as counting. They have frequent opportunities to develop their creative skills through using a wide range of different art activities and their work is displayed to help build their self-esteem and develop their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a clearly written equal opportunity policy and tries to find out about the child’s background from parents so she can respond to children’s individuality in partnership with parents. Furthermore, the childminder is aware of helping children to appreciate each other’s similarities and differences through her own positive attitudes and through the provision of good quality resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has worked with children with learning difficulties in the past and clearly understands the importance of good communication with parents and other professionals. She feels able to discuss children’s development with parents and is very willing to seek more information about particular learning difficulties or disabilities to help in her practice. As a result, children can be cared for effectively according to their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a well-written behaviour policy which she shares with parents for consistency. She talks to children clearly and encourages them to be nice to one another. Children receive frequent praise and encouragement as they learn to recognise the consequences of their actions on others.

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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 The childminder understands the benefits of building a good strong partnership with parents. This enables her to work closely with them to ensure she can meet their requirements and the needs of their children. In addition to effective two-way communication between the childminder and the parents, the childminder provides written material for parents to read. She gives this in the form of a prospectus which contains all her informative policies and procedures, requesting that parents sign to say they have read and understood them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The parents are aware that the childminder has a written complaints procedure which complies with the National Standards. The childminder also informs parents that they can seek advice from Ofsted and provides them with the relevant contact details.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder’s wide range of very clear written policies and procedures work effectively in practice to support children’s well-being. Her clear sense of purpose and her commitment to continual improvement are demonstrated by her enthusiasm for seeking further training and information. Children benefit greatly from the childminder’s highly organised routines which enable her to make the most of their time spent with her helping them to settle well, develop a sense of trust and belonging and become confident learners. Overall children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required documentation to a very high standard and ensures children’s personal details are collated efficiently and kept confidentially. She has extremely well-organised systems to ensure parents are highly aware of her practices so she can communicate with them effectively.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • assess the risks to children in relation to the third level of glass panes in the internal door and take action to minimise these.

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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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