Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY315159 Unique Reference Number 26 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 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 2005. He lives with his wife and four children aged nine, eight, five and four years in Harwich. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom on the first floor 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. He attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and takes children to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged under eight years, who attends on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has four hamsters, two turtles and some tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 good. Children's health needs are very well met as the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of practices which keep children healthy. He has clear procedures for learning about children's individual medical needs and works effectively with parents to accommodate their individual requirements. Children who have accidents within the childminder's care are comforted and their injuries are efficiently dealt with by the childminder, using his extensive knowledge of first aid. Children learn about good hygiene practices such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals as the childminder gently reminds them to do this. They understand that they need to wash their hands after feeding and handling the childminder's pets and know that this keeps them safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular, healthy and well-balanced meals at the childminder's house. They are encouraged to sit together and use meal times to share conversations about their day and what they have been doing. Their individual dietary needs are very well met by the childminder discussing allergies and special requirements with the parents and working effectively to ensure that meals reflect their requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to experience fresh air on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's garden, walk to and from school and visit the local park. They are encouraged to understand about the benefits of exercise and fresh air through general discussion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming house. The presentation of the home provides children with good opportunities to explore the space in the lounge and to extend their play across the whole of the floor. They have supervised access to the dining area which includes a large dining table for creative play activities. Plans are underway to change a ground floor room into a sensory room for children to use. This will enable children to explore a range of sensory equipment and resources such as interesting lights, soft play materials and differing textures. Children have access to a fully enclosed rear garden which provides exciting play opportunities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a good range of toys and play equipment which is stored and presented in boxes on the lounge floor. They self-select from an interesting selection of resources and make free choices over their play. Children play with clean and well-maintained toys as the childminder has a clear procedure for ensuring the equipment is sprayed and wiped with antibacterial spray.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a sound understanding about keeping safe within the home and when walking along the road, as the childminder encourages them to think about what they are doing, how they access equipment and how they cross the road. Children's safety is however, potentially compromised as they have access to a water feature in the rear garden which contains approximately six inches of water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well-protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates an extensive knowledge of child protection issues and how to identify concerns. Their well-being is paramount and they are always in the direct supervision of adults who have been vetted and checked to be in the proximity of children.

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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 thoroughly engrossed in a wide range of play activities, some of which they self-select and others which are planned by the childminder. They enjoy both quiet and active times during their day and like to sit and have a cuddle with the childminder to share a book or item of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a warm and caring relationship with the childminder and his wife. They approach them with ease and enjoy the interaction they receive from them. Their language skills are developed and extended by the childminder using appropriate language to encourage them to express themselves fully. Children have good opportunities to socialise with other children when they attend parent and toddler groups and meet up with other local childminders.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the natural environment when they go for regular walks in the local area. They collect leaves and items of interest and use them to make collages and interest books. They have opportunities to go on trips with the childminder and to explore new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy being creative, they paint, do sticking activities and make models. Some of their creative achievements are displayed on the childminder's kitchen wall enabling them to develop good self-esteem and proudly show parents and visitors their creations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled, content and relaxed within this childminder's care. Their individual backgrounds, likes and dislikes are fully discussed between the parents and the childminder during their initial meetings. Excellent ongoing communication ensures that the childminder stays completely aware of the children's changing needs and requirements. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about other people's cultural and religious beliefs when they celebrate festivals and special occasions. For example, they have learnt about Chinese New Year and Diwali. They play with an exciting and interesting range of toys, books and resources which reflect diversity and equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children who have specific needs are superbly cared for by the childminder using his first hand experiences of meeting children's individual needs. Their personal requirements are considered and the childminder implements an approach to their care which enables them to be fully included in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and have a clear understanding of the childminder's boundaries as they are gently reminded what is acceptable and not acceptable within the childminder's home. They are treated equally within the remit of the childminder's behaviour management policy, taking account of their personal requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder and parents work extremely effectively together. They have clear and efficient processes for sharing information about the children which enables the childminder to maintain a good understanding of their individual likes and dislikes. Parents are provided with regular written newsletters which enables them to keep up to date with activities the childminder is arranging for their children.

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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 good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has been registered since 2005. He works with his wife to provide the children in his care with a caring, stable and exciting childcare service. He is committed to extending his knowledge of childcare through further training and accesses an extensive range of courses.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in small groups which enables the childminder to provide them with good quality interaction. Their attendance is accurately recorded within the childminder's records. Children enjoy playing freely in the childminder's lounge and having opportunities to make good use of the rest of the ground floor of the childminder's home. Their day comprises of a balance of trips out, walks in the local area, planned indoor activities and free play.

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Organisation

Well-organised and easily accessible records are available for inspection at all times. A regular review of the written information available enables the childminder to update records containing information about the minded children. Clear and effective written policies are in place which support the childminder's practices and enable parents to obtain an accurate understanding of the service they can expect from the childminder.

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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 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 children's safety in the garden, this is with reference to the water feature which poses a potential hazard to 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 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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