Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348919 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Deborah Kerry 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 family in Colchester. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a secure, enclosed garden for outdoor play. A maximum of five children may attend at any one time and the childminder is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder has two pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are protected from the risks of cross-infection as the childminder has excellent procedures in place for changing nappies and for keeping her home clean and tidy. Children's health is effectively promoted as they all have their own towels and face cloths, preventing any risk of cross-infection. The childminder has clear written procedures in place for administering medication and for excluding sick children to prevent the spread of infections. The childminder takes a first aid kit on all outings with minded children which ensures that their health is a high priority.

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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 Children are taken on regular outings to local parks, for walks and to activity centres which effectively promotes their healthy growth and development. Children are provided with a range of equipment in the garden which helps to promote their physical development well. The childminder has a travel cot for younger children, ensuring that they can sleep according to their own needs and older children can use the lounge to sit quietly if they need to rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a variety of home cooked nutritious meals which include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and meets their individual dietary needs well. The childminder caters for any special dietary requirements to ensure that children's health is effectively promoted. Children's health is a high priority as they are provided with healthy options for meals and snacks. For example, children have raisins for an afternoon snack. Children are reminded to drink at regular intervals to ensure that they have sufficient for their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that her home is safe and secure. For example, she has a child proof lock on the front door, ensuring that children are unable to leave unsupervised. The childminder ensures that children are supervised at all times especially when outside in the garden, she regularly checks the equipment confirming that children's safety is a priority. The childminder has all the necessary equipment in place to keep her home safe and secure, ensuring that minded children are protected from any potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear written procedures in place for the emergency evacuation of her home. However, this has not been practised with minded children, which could compromise their safety. Children are developing an awareness on how to keep themselves safe as the childminder practises road safety with them when out walking. The childminder ensures that children are protected from any possible hazards when on outings, they are fastened into pushchairs and she uses wrist straps for older children to ensure that they stay close to her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has a written policy on the local safeguarding children procedures and includes local contact details to ensure children's welfare is given a high priority. There are clear steps to follow should she have concerns about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. Children are able to select toys independently form the range available within in their reach. Children put together the train track and the childminder asks children where the train is going, 'Who is on the train and is it going to London?', which helps to extend their play. The childminder takes children to the library each week where they choose different books to look at together. Children enjoy listening to stories read to them by the childminder, she answers their questions and ensures that they can all see the pictures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's imagination is fostered well as the childminder joins in with their play to extend scenarios, they have their hair done at 'the hairdresser's' and they then have to 'feed and change their babies nappies'. The childminder writes weekly plans which includes both the inside and outside areas, ensuring children are provided with a broad range of activities to help them progress in their development. Children show interest in what they see and do because

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 plans a wide range of activities and play opportunities using her knowledge on the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children are taken on regular outings which helps to promote their understanding of the environment and develops their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and fully supported by the childminder as she gathers all information about their needs from parents. Children's understanding of the wider world is promoted through a range of outings and planned topics on different countries and cultures from around the world. For example, children have opportunities to taste food from France and Italy and the childminder ensures that their dietary requirements are met. The childminder ensures that children of all abilities are included and that activities are adapted to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an understanding of sharing and turn taking as the childminder provides them with clear boundaries so that they know what is expected of them. The childminder's ground rules are included in a written policy on behaviour management which is shared with parents. Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder is flexible in the hours that she works. The childminder has developed friendly relationships with the parents and they are kept up to date with their children's progress and development. The childminder writes daily diaries for minded children to keep parents fully informed about each milestone they achieve in their development and what activities they have done whilst in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s well-being is promoted by the well-organised records and policies which are shared with parents. Children’s individual needs are effectively met as the childminder records any dietary needs or allergies they may have. The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures in place to support her good practice and to promote children's welfare. Children are well cared for and fully supported by the childminder, she makes good use of the space and resources in her home. The childminder has attended early years training and is keen to undertake further courses to consolidate her knowledge and ensure that children's well-being is effectively supported.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained, this helps children to feel secure and confident when in her care. The childminder ensures that parents are fully involved with the care of their children by keeping all information confidential and discussing the children's day with parents when they are collected. All the required documentation and parental consent forms are in place to ensure children are looked after according to their parents’ wishes. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements 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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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 that the emergency escape plan is practised periodically with minded children.

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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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