Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY279541 Unique Reference Number 25 July 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 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 2004. She lives with her teenage daughter in a house in a residential area of Basildon, close to the hospital, schools, pre-schools, the shops and parks. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for

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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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

time and is currently caring for five children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. There are no pets in the home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects them from a local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 flourish because their nutritional and emotional needs are well met. They are developing their independence both physically and emotionally. Young children are acquiring control over the bodies as they sit at the child size table to eat and feed themselves independently. More able children learn to sit at the breakfast bar as a social group and make choices. They demonstrate their developing social skills as they use 'please' and 'thank you' and ask before getting down when they are finished. They are encouraged to explore new tastes and develop a liking for fruit and vegetables. The childminder encourages children to express their needs and she responds positively to them. Drinks are made freely available and children are becoming aware of the importance of drinking regularly. They can help themselves at any time which stops them becoming dehydrated. Children's specific dietary needs are discussed with parents

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Helping children to be healthy

and details are recorded to support children's growth, development and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is very aware of the importance of children playing both indoors and outdoors and carefully plans her routines to ensure they have daily opportunities to benefit from outdoor activities and fresh air. As a result children enjoy exercise and being outdoors. Going to the park to engage in energetic play, use the swings, climbing frame and slide is something the children talk about with great enthusiasm. They know they cannot play football in the garden and look forward to regular opportunities to kick a ball in the park which promotes an active lifestyle. This is further enhanced with a varied range of toys and equipment in the home to develop children's physical skills and promote their coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand good health and hygiene practices and more able children confidently talk about the routines they follow, and why. A verbal sickness policy is shared with parents to help prevent the spread of infection. The management of the administration of medicines is well-organised to enable the childminder to act in children’s best interests if they are unwell. Children are well protected as the childminder can deal with children's minor injuries appropriately as she ensures her first aid training is kept up to date. Further, she consistently obtains prior written parental consent to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure environment that is organised well to meet their needs. The childminder is watchful regarding security in her home and ensures that doors are bolted to prevent children leaving the premises unsupervised. The garden is fully enclosed with a high gate and children are always supervised when outside to protect them from unauthorised persons. Parents are asked to give clear information regarding the people authorised to collect their child to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very knowledgeable about safety issues and demonstrates a sound understanding of the importance of providing a balance between freedom and safe limits. She has carried out a full risk assessment of the premises and takes positive steps to minimise potential hazards and prevent accidents. The childminder has given careful thought to organising the home and resources to ensure children's individual needs are met while keeping them safe. Children learn about their own personal safety through the daily routine. They know they must

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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 sit on their bottoms, not kneel, when using the bar stools and why. Good use is made of safety items, such as cupboard locks, socket covers and door finger guards to help children develop an understanding of potential hazards and safety issues. Children explain clearly why they must walk up the steps and slide down, when using the large equipment in the park, to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's practical road sense is developed by the childminder and they are accomplishing a sound understanding of the possible dangers when out walking. For example, they know they must always ask the owner before approaching to stroke dogs they are not familiar with. Children have a sound understanding of the Green Cross Code and always ‘stop, look and listen’ before crossing roads supported by the childminder. They have taken part a safety walk in the local community when they wore safety jackets to ensure they could be clearly seen. Children are satisfactorily protected in the event of a fire. A fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place and the childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan to help keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of the need to safeguard children; she understands that she has responsibility for child protection and is aware of the need to implement appropriate procedures if she has concerns about a child’s well-being. Although she knows who to contact if she is concerned about a child's well-being, she has not yet obtained all the necessary contact details to ensure she can deal with any concerns in a timely way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have a busy and productive time in the childminder's well resourced home. The childminder plans stimulating and varied experiences for the children based on their own ideas and interests. This ensures older children remain motivated as they communicate with each other sharing ideas as they refine their thinking. The childminder encourages children to respond to the world creatively by providing them with varied and interesting resources through which they can express themselves freely. Children follow their own ideas, use their imagination and begin to make sense of what they know. For example, using a shoe box to create a car, adding lights, wheels and a windscreen or matching the right patterned print to animal shapes, demonstrating their understanding. Younger children engage in domestic play, matching and counting cups and saucers as they prepare ‘tea’ for the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction between the childminder and children is good. Plenty of cuddles and reassurance are offered to younger children so they feel happy and secure in the childminder's care. Children enjoy being close and interacting with the childminder when they sit together as a group to share involvement in selective television programmes. Their confidence and self-esteem is growing as they receive frequent praise for their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit greatly from the hands-on support they receive from their energetic childminder who organises her day very efficiently to enable her be actively involved in the children's play and development. They socialise with other children through meeting up with other childminders and get pleasure from visits to local amenities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and respected as individuals because their particular needs are well known. The childminder takes time to gather the relevant information in order to meet

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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 their personal needs and provide interesting activities according to their age and stage of development. Children’s details are recorded on the child record 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 ensure she is made fully aware in order to support their welfare effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to consider the needs of one another and fully understand they are treated fairly and with equal concern. They are polite and courteous. Children become aware of wider society in meaningful ways. They go on trips in the local and wider community which include visits to the local shops and safety walks with the local nursery when they learn about the roles of others. They have been introduced to a range of books to give them opportunities to ask questions and share what they know and understand enabling the childminder to promote positive attitudes to diversity. Children understand responsible behaviour as they are given clear explanations for the restrictions imposed on them. They learn to reason and compromise or negotiate terms, as a result they are helped to see how their actions and behaviour affect the lives of others. The childminder explains to them simply but clearly the cause and effect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of their behaviour and supports them to develop personal values and a sense of what is right and wrong, and why. More able children demonstrate kindness and caring as they support the younger ones. For example, finding the comforter of a younger child, without being asked, when she says she is tired.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents and a verbal exchange of information daily helps provide good continuity of care in order for children to settle quickly. She takes regular photographs to share with individual children’s parents or carers recording details about their children's welfare and development. The childminder consults with parents about the need for any special services, equipment or support to promote children’s all round development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where all adults having unsupervised access to children have been checked and vetted to ensure their suitability. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of child care practice and experience. The childminder has completed the required training and updated her first aid knowledge by attending recent training. The home is well-organised and children enjoy free access to the lounge, toilet facilities and garden which provides them with ample space to move around and play comfortably. Children always tell the childminder before leaving the lounge to ensure she is made fully aware of their whereabouts at all times. Toys and resources are stored in stacker boxes to allow children to make independent choices and decisions about their play. The childminder is very affectionate and caring towards the children who benefit from her motivation and commitment to meeting

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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 running of the setting. 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 role, responsibilities, routines and care practices. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the National Standards and associated guidance and has mostly implemented the requirements into her care practice. The childminder is fully aware of the requirement to meet her conditions of registration at all times.

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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 Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, to improve the standards of care, it was recommended the childminder ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection opportunities for children to establish positive images of themselves and learn to value the similarities and differences of others has been enhanced. As a result, children feel valued and good about themselves and learn about equality and justice towards others.

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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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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): • obtain and record details of whom to contact in social services if concerned about a child.

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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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