Childminder, Out-of school day care in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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202905 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Patricia Mary Champion 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 1993. She lives with her husband, two adult children and child aged 13 years. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools and shops in Chelmsford. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 minding two children aged under eight years. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight years and also provides occasional part-time care when required during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has four cats and two guinea pigs as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park.

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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 take part in physical exercise, which helps contribute to their good health. Regular visits to nearby parks enable them to move energetically and play in the fresh air. They are also eager to play in the garden and outdoor toys such as balls, hoops, skipping ropes and a hoopla help develop the children's physical skills. Children rest or sleep according to their individual needs. They snuggle up and sleep comfortably on the sofa.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they are encouraged to follow good health and hygiene practices. Anti-bacterial soap is provided to encourage children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children are protected from illness and infection because information about the care or exclusion of children who are unwell is included on the written contracts and shared with parents. The childminder can deal with minor injuries because she holds a current first aid certificate and keeps her first aid kit easily accessible. Records are kept when medication is administered and when accidents occur and parents sign to acknowledge the entries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet supplied by parents and supported by the childminder. Lunch boxes are stored in the fridge to keep items cool. The childminder gives parents healthy suggestions to include in lunch boxes so that children can try tasting different foods and have a balanced diet. Drinks and cups are kept accessible so that children do not become thirsty or dehydrated. The childminder gathers information about allergies or special dietary requirements to meet individual children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play and investigate within a clean and comfortable environment. The childminder checks her home carefully each day to ensure that any risks to children are minimised. Smoke alarms are regularly tested and children know what to do if they need to evacuate the house in an emergency. Good use is made of safety items such as cupboard safety catches and stair gates to ensure that children are kept safe and do not have access to potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings. The childminder ensures that they are closely supervised and they understand that they must not wander away out of her sight. Children learn about road safety when they walk to and from school or the park and are developing a sensible road sense.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with safe and suitable toys and equipment. Play materials are checked frequently for damage and cleanliness. The childminder puts a great deal of thought into new purchases to ensure that they are interesting and meet the children's developing needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She knows the action to take if she has concerns about a child's welfare and has the current recommended child protection literature.

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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 satisfactory. Children of school age are provided with a variety of activities and play opportunities they find interesting and enjoyable. They particularly enjoy the craft activities and create highly individual artwork with the fluorescent coloured paints. Children are proud of their achievements and enjoy showing the childminder and visitors their completed pieces of work. The childminder keeps an album of photographs depicting events and activities the children have taken part in. Children become excited when they recall the events and share their memories with the childminder and their friends. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they share hints and tips as they play electronic games. Opportunities for imaginative play are provided with small world cars and figures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children form warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder and each other. The older children chat animatedly with the childminder about their current interests and recent experiences. Plenty of cuddles are offered to the youngest children when they sit and look at books. They are starting to show interest in what they see and the childminder develops their knowledge and language by asking open-ended questions. However, the childminder has not yet seen the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her plan activities to support further the development of the youngest children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel at ease in the family environment. The childminder finds out about the children's needs, likes and dislikes right from the start to ensure that she provides the best possible care. Children play happily together and are confident and sociable. Praise and encouragement is offered to boost confidence and self-esteem. Children behave generally well and learn to share and take turns with the play materials. The older children show care and tenderness towards the younger children. Children learn about the wider world when they look at books with positive images, which encourage them to learn about and respect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly and helpful relationships formed between parents and the childminder. Information is shared. Very clear contracts regarding the business arrangements and consent agreements are signed by both parties. There is a short written prospectus and the childminder writes a daily diary for the youngest children in her care. This keeps parents fully informed about the food eaten, sleep times and the activities the children have enjoyed. The childminder is flexible and offers care to meet the parents working arrangements. The childminder has a collection of thank you cards from parents and children and they write to say how much they appreciate the care she provides. Children remain with the childminder for many years and family holidays are arranged. For example, the childminder, parents and children take trips to the Isle of Wight together.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and confident and can play and rest in comfort. Play space and resources are arranged to meet the children's needs. The childminder efficiently organises her daily routine around taking and collecting children from school. There are opportunities for younger children to have individual support during the day in school term times. During the school holidays children of all ages play together cooperatively. Children benefit from the care of an experienced

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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 childminder who has attended childminder training and a first aid course. The childminder ensures that she supervises children aged under eight years at all times. Most members of the household have been appropriately checked and vetted as suitable to be with the children. Since the last inspection one of the childminder's own children has reached 16 years of age. The required vetting checks have not yet been completed.

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Organisation

The essential documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the childcare provision is in place. The childminder is aware of the need to maintain and respect the children's privacy and confidentiality. Records are stored securely, however, details about accidents and medication are not yet recorded confidentially.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to: obtain written permission from parents for taking children on outings; consider developing a sick child and medication procedure; make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint; and establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved outcomes for children by using new contracts that include all the necessary information and parental agreements regarding outings, sickness and medication procedures, complaints and the business arrangements. Consequently, parents are now better informed and children's welfare has been enhanced.

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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 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): • make sure that persons who have reached 16 years of age complete the appropriate vetting checks

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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 • make sure that medication and accidents records are recorded confidentially • plan activities for children aged under three years in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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