Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY136697 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Oldman 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 2003 and works an assistant. She lives with her husband and their three teenage sons. They live in a house in a residential area of Basildon, close to

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

schools, pre-schools and the shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding, except the third floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. There are no pets in the home. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because their nutritional, physical and emotional needs are generally met. Young children are acquiring control over the bodies as they practise developing skills and begin to understand the need for good health and hygiene practices. They are encouraged to

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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 explore new tastes with the good support of the childminder, who liaises closely with parents. Drinks are made freely available and children are becoming aware of the importance of drinking regularly with the support of the childminder. Children's specific dietary needs and sleep routines are discussed regularly with parents and positive steps are taken to support children's growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily outdoor activities help children's physical development as they increase their mobility, control and coordination. They enjoy being outdoors and make full use of the garden every day to enable them to run, climb, jump and roll. They enjoy challenges that encourage them to use different parts of their body, changing speed and direction as they kick or throw balls, climb through tunnels or bounce on the trampoline. This is further enhanced with a varied range of toys and equipment in the home to develop children's large motor and fine manipulative skills and increase their dexterity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices because they are encouraged to clean their hands before meals and the childminder ensures runny noses are dealt with promptly. A sickness policy is shared with parents to help prevent the spread of infection and children who are unwell are well cared for until collected. The management of medicines is well organised. Paperwork is in place to record any accidents or when medication is given to enable the childminder to act in children’s best interests if they are unwell. If a child has a minor accident the childminder can treat them, however, they are not yet fully protected as written parental consent to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment has not been requested.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and explore in a generally safe and comfortable environment where they feel confident and secure. They play in the lounge and have daily access to the fully enclosed garden. The home is organised to provide as much clear floor space as possible and children sit at the child sized table and chairs to eat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access a selection of toys and play equipment which is stored in the lounge and garden shed. They play with clean and well maintained resources as the childminder ensures that she follows a clear health and safety routine within her home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are carried out by the childminder and action is taken to reduce risks within the home, such as a securing the front door, putting safety mats around the trampoline using stair gates. This helps children to become aware of potential risks and begin to learn to keep themselves safe. A suitable fire blanket is in place and smoke alarms are maintained in working order. The childminder raises children's awareness of safety in the home through gentle reminders, for example, making them aware to sit when eating to prevent choking. However, the childminder has not obtained all written parental consents, to ensure parents are fully aware of her roles and responsibilities and to ensure children's welfare is fully supported. For example, consent to take children on outings and to transport in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of her child protection responsibilities. Their well-being is promoted as the childminder has attended a relevant training course to ensure her responses to any concerns are in line with current recommendations.

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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 settling well at the childminder’s home, where worthwhile activities allow them many opportunities to play and learn new skills. Children are kept busy and have great fun as they play. The varied activities ensure that children are encouraged to be independent, active and exploratory. Children become independent as they make choices and take decisions about their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is attentive and accommodating in her interactions with the children. She picks up on children’s line of thought and responds to meet their desires. For example, when a child points to a particular piece of equipment that isn’t readily available she reorganises the space to allow children access. Children are becoming confident in using the tunnels, pop up tent and play house imaginatively in their play. They show pleasure as they jump into the ball pond and throw the balls in excitement. Children are beginning to connect objects and ideas as they put on the swimming ring before jumping into the pond. They act out everyday situations as they make marks on laminated paper or use specialist drawing equipment during their play. Interaction between the childminder and children is sensitive and accommodating. Play is at the heart of children’s learning. They enjoy singing and dancing to familiar songs which help

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them to learn the names of body parts. Children are becoming confident to try out new skills and experiment without fear of failure as the childminder praise their efforts boosting their self-esteem. The childminder completes developmental records for individual children that are shared with parents to show their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well known because the childminder takes time to gather the relevant information in order to meet their personal needs and provide appropriate activities. Their details are recorded on initial needs assessment forms and these are updated as needed to reflect any changes. The childminder is aware that some children will have additional needs and demonstrates a commitment to working closely with parents to meet children's needs and promote their welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing increasing independence in organising their play, supported by the childminder's arrangement of the routines, materials and equipment. They are encouraged to be tolerant of one another and learn to communicate, share and co-operate with others. The childminder encourages children to reason and compromise or negotiate terms so they are helped to see how their actions and behaviour affect the lives of others. She explains the cause and effect of their behaviour and supports them to develop personal values and a sense of what is right and wrong, and why. Children's good behaviour is recognised and praised helping them to feel good about themselves. Children become aware of wider society in meaningful ways and develop a healthy respect for others and a high awareness of the similarities and differences in people and the way they live. The childminder encourages this by providing a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

fully inclusive service, books and toys that reflect the range of people around them and by allowing children to watch selected television programmes that promote a positive attitude to culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is supported through the friendly and helpful relationships established with parents and carers. The childminder is flexible to parent’s needs in order to support 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 well. She provides progress reports recording details about their child's welfare and development and consults with parents about the need for any special services.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where the adults are checked and vetted to ensure their suitability to be in contact with children. They benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child care practice and experience. She has completed the required training and attended a range of one day training opportunities to support her practice. Children have the opportunity to experience a range of age-appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors. Time is made for children to play, eat and rest and daily routines are supported by the help of an assistant. Children benefit from free access to toys and equipment in the lounge and a variety of activities organised for them to enjoy in the garden, which is used all year round.

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Organisation

Children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution are supported by the procedures in place that promote the efficient management of the setting. The majority of the required documentation and record keeping systems are in place, available for inspection and stored confidentially. These are shared verbally with parents to inform them of the childminder's routines and care practices, however, some written parental consents have not yet been requested.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given seven recommendations. These were to ensure: dangerous substances, wires, low level windows and multi sockets were made safe or inaccessible to children; play materials were made easily accessible and reflect different cultures positively; parents receive information about the childminding service and how their children are cared for; contact details for the social services child protection team are obtained. The childminder has implemented the recommendations and as a result children's welfare and safety have improved. However, further recommendations have been made to obtain prior written parental consents regarding outings; transporting children in a vehicle and seeking emergency medical advice or treatment to ensure parents are fully informed of the childminder's care practices

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • ensure prior written parental permission is requested to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure prior written parental permission is obtained for children to be taken on outings and transported in a vehicle.

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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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