Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347165 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2007 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and 16 months in Rochford, Essex. The whole 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 four children under eight and two children over eight part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has two cats and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. 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 play in a very clean and hygienic home environment where they are well protected from infection because the childminder follows good hygiene routines. This good practice is extended when on outings as the childminder carries a small anti bacterial spray to use on borrowed high chairs and anti bacterial gel to clean hers and the children’s hands. Children learn effectively about their own personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after toileting and see the childminder's good example. Children know that washing their hands stops germs spreading.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross-infection because the childminder has the appropriate procedures and documentation in place. For example, an exclusion period is included in parental contracts to ensure that when children are sick they are kept at home so other children do not become infected. All prior permission for medication and transport are in place and signed by the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides the meals and snacks for the children such as, malt loaf, grapes, cheese biscuits, raisins, soup, sandwiches, rice pots and vegetables. The children help to grow and harvest tomatoes and lettuces in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn that exercise is fun, good for them and helps them keep fit when they regularly go on outings to Belfair’s Woods, the local park and Hadleigh Castle. This promotes a healthy attitude to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle and encourages them to adopt this lifestyle for their future good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder’s comfortable home. For example, there are examples of the children’s art work and child friendly pictures on the patio doors which welcome the children and make them feel that their art work is valued. These also double up as a safety measure so children will not walk into the patio doors. Children have opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities, they have free play both inside and outside the home. However there are limited resources showing differences and similarities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted very well because the childminder is scrupulous in ensuring her home stays safe for the children. For example, she records that she regularly tests the smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order and has devised an emergency escape plan which the children practise with her. Children are therefore able to develop their natural curiosity and explore the home freely and in safety. They are kept safe on outings, children either travel in the car with appropriate seats and belts, in the buggy or holding hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She covered child protection training when completing the childminding training course and is clear in her responsibilities. Children are cared for by adults who are vetted and have relevant experience, knowledge and skills. The childminder and her husband are both vetted. Her husband is also a registered assistant.

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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 and purposefully occupied while at the childminder’s home. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. For example, they enjoy planting and growing tomatoes and lettuces, watching them grow and harvesting them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy both their unstructured play and those activities planned by the childminder such as, making bugs, a spider on a skateboard and a caterpillar. They participate in treasure hunts and have to find items like, wriggle sticks and sheep fluff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated because they enjoy what they do and have a range of resources readily available to them to develop their own games and ideas. The childminder listens to and values what the children say and do. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement. For example, when children help fill up the paddling pool. This promotes their self-esteem and a positive attitude to learning and develops their confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides children with a positive role model because she talks with parents and other children which encourages children to communicate well with one another. They enjoy playing with bubble makers in the garden, younger children trying to catch the bubbles the older children are making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and are all treated as individuals with their personal needs met. They feel included in the daily routines of family life and enjoy their time with the childminder. She takes time to get to know the children in her care so that she can meet their needs. She achieves this by ongoing discussion with parents and spending most of her time actively involved with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder’s consistent boundaries and behaviour management. The children’s good behaviour is rewarded with lots of praise. This helps the children to feel good about themselves and develops confidence. The children play well together and learn to share and take turns. Older children are very helpful with the younger children. This promotes children’s awareness of being kind and considerate to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated with equal concern and respect. Children learn about the local community and the wider world through everyday activities and experiences such as, visiting a garden centre and learning about organic produce such as, eggs, goat’s milk and what makes yogurt and cheese.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good selection of written information available for parents. Displays of children’s work and their scrap books are available for parents to see. The childminder has developed very good relationships with parents and they share information on a regular basis. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and with regard to parent’s wishes and the needs of the 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. The children benefit from the childminder’s experience and skills developed from being a mother of two and completing appropriate training such as, the Introduction to Childminding Practice, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and food hygiene. All children are appreciated and are cared for in a safe, well-organised and welcoming home environment.

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Organisation

The children are protected because the childminder has undergone the appropriate checks to ensure that she is suitable to look after children, her husband is also a registered assistant. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to the requirements and conditions of her registration. She intends to attend additional training to continue to develop her knowledge of childcare.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation to promote the children’s well-being and safety is in place and well maintained.

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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): • consider providing activities to help children appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences.

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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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