Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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560137 Unique Reference Number 05 December 2005 Inspection date Lynn Clements 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 13 years. They live in a house in a residential area of Chelmsford. The property is within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years at any one time. She currently has 3 children on roll. During the inspection there was 1 minded child present.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder's husband is registered as her assistant and she is also registered to work with another childminder at the same address.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a variety of pets including a cat, dog, fish, rabbit and 2 guinea pigs.

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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 organises her daily routines well around school runs, outings and trips to local amenities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about keeping clean as they wash their hands after using the toilet or before eating their lunch. They remain protected by the childminder's attention to daily hygiene routines and effective procedures for nappy changing to prevent cross contamination. Clear sick child procedures are shared with parents to minimise the spread of infection. All health related documentation is maintained and regularly updated to reflect children's changing needs. Children's individual medical and dietary needs are met and respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder works closely with parents and carers to provide suitable healthy snack options and home cooked meals. She also encourages and supports parents to provide healthy packed lunches. The childminder encourages children to try new foods, building their confidence to explore their personal likes and dislikes. Parents share information about their child's individual needs, such as sleeping and eating routines, which ensures children are content and enjoy their play. Children are encouraged to ask for drinks when they are thirsty, while younger children have covered beakers placed on child height furniture ensuring no child remains thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has obtained a copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and agreed to implement this in her practice to support children under three. Storage is arranged enabling younger children to reach and select objects and toys to explore and activities such as dancing to music or soft play are well organised enabling younger children to participate comfortably alongside older children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities which help them to stay fit and healthy. They take regular walks and make good use of local amenities such as parks and mother and toddler groups. They develop good hand eye coordination as they use utensils with increasing competence. Children have access to a fully enclosed outside play area where they develop their balance and learn to move their bodies with control as they run, jump and move safely. All children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Risks of accidental injury to children is minimised because the childminder organises space and resources to reduce potential hazards. Children play in a secure and safe environment. The childminder checks toys and safety equipment such as stair gates and smoke alarms to ensure they remain safe for use. The provision of child accessible storage encourages children to tidy away after playing, leaving the play area free from tripping hazards.

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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 supervised at all times and the play area is checked for safety before children arrive. Outings are planned to ensure children travel safely and when taking walks out and about the childminder helps children to learn about the importance of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder discusses her responsibility with parents and carers prior to placement. She is careful to check the identification of visitors and never allows children to leave with adults she has not met and agreed with parents that it is safe to do so. Children's welfare is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home. They explore the activities provided independently. For example, one child collected different coloured pieces of Duplo pushing them together with his hands then feeling them using his mouth. Children explore a variety of creative media creating Christmas cards and tree decorations. They bob and dance along to familiar tunes and songs and explore musical instruments to create sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular visits to mother and toddler groups and the local park provides opportunities for children to discover the wider world and increase their social interaction and confidence as they play and negotiate with other children. The childminder researches information such as festivals and organises activities which enable children to explore diversity and talk about their feelings and ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Attention to planning daily activities and organising regular routines enables children to move confidently between home and the setting. Parents have daily opportunities to talk with the childminder and daily diaries help them to share in their children's experiences and achievements. Shared information ensures the needs and interests of children are put first and enables the childminder to build on what children know and can do, helping them to make progress and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children form good relationships with the childminder and each other. The sensitive use of books and resources provides opportunities for them to explore diversity and the wider world around them. Good behaviour is encouraged and children learn to share and take turns. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Disability Discrimination Act and will be implementing any necessary changes to ensure her practice remains current. She positively supports parents and children with special needs and English as an additional language enabling all parties to work together in the child's best interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and babies settle quickly and become confident due to the clear communications between parents and the childminder. All parents are kept fully informed of their child's experiences and progress through verbal discussions and daily diaries which depict children's time with the childminder through use of photographs and written observations. Strong relationships are fostered and the childminder enjoys spending time in the families own homes

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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 as they celebrate the children's birthdays and christening's together. Parents wishes are respected and continuity of care between home and the setting is supported appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Toys and resources provided by the childminder supports children's development. They are able to pursue their interests due to child accessible storage provided by the childminder. Ratio's are met. The childminder's husband is registered as her assistant and she occasionally works with another registered childminder at the same address to provide additional one-to-one support to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place, securely stored and confidentiality is respected. Daily registers are maintained and records are updated as required. Documentation contributes to the health, safety and well-being of all children cared for by the childminder.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended training such as first aid and uses the internet to research activities to support her practice. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has increased the range of activities provided for children including visits out and about to local mother and toddler groups, building on children's social interaction and awareness of the wider world. She has researched themes and topics providing children with good opportunities to discuss diversity and explore their ideas and feelings.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 then 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):

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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 • implement the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote positive outcomes for children under three years • obtain a copy of the Disability Discrimination Act and implement to ensure daily practice meets current legislation.

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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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