Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 202264 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Jima Fotopoulou

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged 5, 9 and 14 years. They live in a residential area of Church Langley. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and children have access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and she is currently minding eight children, two of whom attend in a full time basis and six attend on a part time basis. There are eight children on roll. During the inspection there were four minded children present. The childminder works with an assistant. The childminder organises her daily routine around school runs. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's appropriate procedures and support. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has satisfactory procedures in place when changing nappies, to help children be clean and healthy. Children are encouraged to benefit from a healthy, balanced diet. The childminder is aware of specific dietary requirements and she liaises appropriately with parents in order to meet individual dietary needs. The childminder has devised a written menu which is given to the parents and exchanges information verbally on a daily basis regarding children's food and drink intake. Children have their meals sitting together round the table which means that the childminder is aware of, and appropriately supports children's social skills. Children have access to drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's appropriate procedures, such as a written sick child policy and parental consent for seeking emergency treatment. Children develop their physical skills by using a fully enclosed garden with a sufficient range of outdoor equipment such as child size bicycles and on outings for example by visiting various groups and the Colchester zoo. The childminder has adequate arrangements for minded children to sleep and rest in accordance to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder regards children's safety as her priority. The childminder ensures that children have access to safe, suitable and age appropriate toys and equipment by checking them regularly. Children benefit from a spacious, fairly organised play area which helps them make choices, play and learn.

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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 Children are kept safe indoors due to the childminder's well thought out procedures and equipment such as a fire blanket in the kitchen, smoke alarms on both floors, alarmed front door, locked and alarmed shed and security camera in the garden. Children are aware of the fire evacuation procedure which contributes to their understanding of keeping themselves safe. The childminder ensures children's safety outdoors by having all necessary parental consents in place and by having contact details and a first aid kit with her at all times. She has put extra precaution measures in place such as wrist bands and T-shirts with her name on for children to wear when on outings. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and she is aware of current

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns. Children are kept safe from unvetted people by the childminder's effective procedures such as by releasing children to their parents or to persons nominated by them. She has a password system in place to fully protect children from people unknown to her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's house. They have access to a balanced range of toys and equipment which they find interesting such as construction bricks, books, drawing material and wheeled toys. Children are able to choose from the toys available to them and their choices are respected. Children have warm relationships with the childminder and with each other. They play co-operatively together, share resources and take turns. They participate in age appropriate and fun activities such as preparing pirate patches for a treasure hunt. The childminder supports children's play adequately and helps them develop their knowledge and understanding of the world for example by talking to them about colours. Resources are easily accessible to children which fosters their independence. Children are able to develop their physical skills by using a fully enclosed garden with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a sufficient range of outdoor resources such as child size prams and bicycles. The childminder regularly takes children on outings which help them develop their social skills and gain an awareness of the world beyond their home such as visiting play groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect helping them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and has a positive attitude towards diversity which helps children develop an awareness of the wider community. Children learn about diversity through dressing up materials, outings and

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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 organised activities such as painting the flags of the world. Boys and girls are provided with the same opportunities which helps children avoid gender stereotypes. Children behave well due to the childminder's effective ways of encouraging and promoting good behaviour such as praise and positive reinforcement. The childminder uses age appropriate techniques and liaises with parents to ensure consistency in dealing with challenging behaviour. Parents are kept informed as the childminder exchanges information verbally with them on a daily basis. The childminder respects parents wishes who show good levels of satisfaction for the care she provides. The childminder ensures that confidentiality is maintained at all times, enabling the children to feel secure and confident in their environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are settled and benefit from a homely environment which makes them feel secure. The range and quality of the activities both indoors and outdoors is satisfactory and supports their play and learning. All required documentation is in place to support the childminder's practice. However, not all parental signatures are in place to ensure that parents are kept fully informed. The childminder is aware of confidentiality issues and the existing files are safely stored. At the time of the inspection the childminder was not compliant with her registration condition regarding the number of children she could care for. Although, the children were happy, the support they could receive was compromised. This means that the children's needs were not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has written permission from all parents regarding leaving children with an assistant. This means that the children are protected and cared for according to their parents' wishes.

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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

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 quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • Ensure that minded children do not exceed the numbers stated on the registration certificate. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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