Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY100410 Unique Reference Number 28 August 2007 Inspection date Ann Marie Cozzi 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, three and six years in Harlow, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and one bedroom is available for sleeping purposes. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years on a part-time basis, one child over five years before school and two children over five years after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 enjoy an environment that is very clean and well-organised in order to meet their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

They are learning about the importance of good hygiene practices as they know to wash their hands after using the toilet 'in case there are any germs'. However, there is a weakness in the organisation of snack time and as a consequence children are not fully protected from the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balanced diet with a good range of healthy snacks, for example, fresh strawberries, grapes and apple. Children have access to drinks at all times as their beaker cups are within easy reach. Consequently, they are able to help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are clear systems in place in the event a child has an accident or is sick because the childminder has an up to date knowledge of first aid and the written sickness policy is clear and comprehensive.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They have access to a rear garden which has a variety of equipment they use to develop their gross motor skills. Children also have opportunities for trips out, for example, local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are in the main able to explore their surroundings safely because the areas used for childminding have been risk assessed. For example, the childminder has organised her resources to ensure that no small pieces are stored at low level and she prevents children's access to the stairs and kitchen by the use of safety gates. There are systems in place for recording accidents involving children and the childminder ensures that parents and carers always sign the record to acknowledge the entry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Promoting an awareness with children of how to keep themselves and others safe is effective and meaningful. Therefore children know that they should tidy-up the toys after use in order to prevent injury to themselves and others. There is a written fire evacuation plan in place which is practised with all of the children. Consequently, they are becoming increasingly familiar with how to respond in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding children is given appropriate priority by the childminder who has undertaken training in this area. She has a written statement in place which is shared with parents. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of what to do in the event an allegation is made against her or a household member. The childminder has all appropriate documentation in place which includes details of relevant organisations such as, the regulator, local social services duty desk and the National Childminding Association's safeguarding children service.

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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 in the care of the childminder who is attentive to their individual needs. They are confident communicators and express their feelings without hesitation. Children enjoy the childminder's involvement in their games, for example, touching each other's face with the 'tickly feather'. The childminder interacts well with the children and is skilful at asking questions which encourages children to think and initiate their own learning. For example, when sounding letters in order to spell a word. Children receive consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder which promotes their self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A wide range of interesting toys and resources provide appropriate challenge for all children. They are able to confidently help themselves to what they want to play with because the areas used are planned well in order to take account of this. The children make good use of the conservatory which is organised for their sole use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy outings that are organised for them such as fruit picking and visiting a wildlife park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's feel valued as their creative work and achievements are consistently acknowledged by the childminder, as a consequence, this promotes confidence. Children access a range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture and gender. They are learning about the wider world we live in through, for example, the good selection of books available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and respond positively to requests made by the childminder regarding, for example, tidying up, taking turns and being kind to each other. Children receive positive praise for their good behaviour which promotes their self-esteem and this in turn reinforces the acceptable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and carers this ensures the best outcome for their child is reached. The childminder has an appropriate complaints procedure in place which is shared with parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The areas of the home used by children are thoughtfully organised this contributes towards creating a warm and welcoming environment. Although there is a wide age range of children attending, the management of care is on the whole promoting an awareness of how to keep healthy and stay safe. Children are familiar with their surroundings and the routines that are in place help them settle quickly and feel secure.

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Organisation

Space is well-organised and as a result, is effective in meeting children's immediate and individual needs. Children benefit from most of the required documentation being in place and confidential information being stored securely. However, there is a weakness in the consistency of ensuring that written prior parental permission for outings and transport is in place. The record of children's attendance shows children's times of arrival and departure.

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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 The childminder has attended relevant childcare training including child protection, this demonstrates her commitment to updating her knowledge. She has registered her childminding business with the Food Standards Agency this further promotes the safe management of the service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her medication systems to ensure parents sign records of administered medication to acknowledge the entry. This assists in safeguarding children.

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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): • develop the organisation of snack time to ensure the good health of children is promoted and that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection • develop current systems to ensure consistency when obtaining written prior parental permission for outings and transport.

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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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