Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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506189 Unique Reference Number 19 December 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 1996. She lives with her family. They live in a house in South Woodham Ferrers, within walking distance of the town centre, railway station, schools, pre-schools, toddler groups, parks and river. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children under eight may attend at any one time. The childminder is currently minding 11 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local Childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a written policy with procedures for dealing with sick children which helps to promote their health. All necessary parental permission forms are in place regarding medication to effectively promote children's health and welfare. The childminder ensures that

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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 all resources are regularly cleaned and that toys are suitable for children's age further ensuring their health is promoted well. Children are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene through the daily routine of washing their hands before they eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for exercise to promote their healthy growth and development through regular outings, to activity centres and the park. Children are able to rest according to their own needs, depending on their ages.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a variety of healthy foods each day to promote their continued good health. The childminder has weekly menus for the meals she provides which are shared with parents and their wishes are respected regarding children's individual dietary requirements. The childminder reminds children to drink on a regular basis throughout the day to maintain optimum good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder prepares her home and resource for children's arrival each day ensuring that these are suitable for the ages of the children present. Children have access to a secure garden which is free from hazards for outside physical play to promote their healthy development. Children are free to select resources for themselves from the range set out in the lounge within their reach. The childminder has in place written procedures for the emergency evacuation of her home. However, this is not practised periodically with minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When on outings the childminder uses the correct size car seats, pushchairs or wrist straps for children which ensures that their safety is a high priority. The childminder has had a visit from the local fire officer to assess the measures in place for fire safety and has followed all the recommendations to further promote children's safety. The childminder carries out regular checks on all resources and equipment to ensure that there are no hazards accessible to minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has in place a written statement on safeguarding children which ensures that their welfare is paramount. The childminder has clear, set documentation in place for her to follow should she have concerns about any children whilst in her care which includes local contact numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled in the childminder's care and confidently chat and interact well with her. Toys and resources are set out within their reach which enables children to choose what they want to play with, promoting their independence well. Children take part in a wide variety of activities each day which are planned in advance depending on the children's pattern of attendance and their ages. For example, they do cooking and are provided with a range of resources for different craft activities. The childminder keeps a scrap book of the children's art work as a memento to be shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with the train track, dolls and the dolls house and use their imagination to recreate scenarios. The childminder makes suggestions for activities that she knows the children like and enjoy. For example, she suggests drawing and the children choose to colour in a picture of their choice and the childminder gets out the resources needed for the activity.

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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 Children help to tidy away the resources after they have finished playing with them and the childminder explains that there will be more space for them to play. The childminder works closely with the local pre-school and continues themes and topics they undertake which helps to extend children's learning and development well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home and she ensures that resources are suitable for their ages and individual needs. The childminder helps them to settle by encouraging new parents to bring their children for a trial visit before they start. Children's understanding of the wider world is developed through a range of different resources. For example, books, small world resources and play people. The childminder offers appropriate levels of support to meet children's individual needs and ensures that they are all included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has in place a written policy on behaviour management which sets out clear expectations for children's behaviour. The rules are explained to children when they start in an appropriate manner suitable for their ages which enables them to understand. Children learn to share, take turns and the childminder offers them positive praise which promotes children's self-esteem and confidence well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a pack which is given to parents when their children start which provides them with information on the childminder's practice and her policies. The childminder ensures that parents are kept fully informed about their child's day when they are collected. All children's details are kept up-to-date to ensure that appropriate care can be provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has in place all relevant records and parental permission forms and ensures that these are kept confidential. The childminder records children's arrival and departure times in her register on a daily basis. All written policies and procedures around her good practice are shared with parents and kept up-to-date. Children are given a high level of support which has a positive impact on their well-being and development.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to attend further training in line with changes in legislation to develop her knowledge and good practice. The childminders home is organised so that children's needs can be met appropriately. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that parents sign to acknowledge all accidents and that records of any existing injuries are kept. The childminder obtains parental signatures for any accidents occurring to minded children and keeps a record of any injuries minded children have on arrival which ensures that parents are kept fully informed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that all parents have a written agreement setting out the expectations of both parties and give their written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to take their children on outings. Written contracts are completed by parents for all minded children and there are separate forms parents sign which enables the childminder to seek

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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 emergency medical advice or treatment if needed and for children to be taken on outings ensuring children's welfare is a priority.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that the childminder knows whom to contact in social services or the police if there are any concerns about a child. The childminder has a written policy in place on safeguarding children which is shared with parents. The booklet 'what to do if you are worried about a child' is in place along with local details of steps to take and whom to contact should there be any concerns about the welfare of a child within in her care, ensuring that their safety and welfare is a priority.

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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): • ensure that the emergency evacuations procedures are practised with minded children periodically.

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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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