Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY292992 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and three daughters aged five, eight and one in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children between three and eight years all part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has two dogs, a cat and a rabbit.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where they learn the importance of good levels of hygiene and personal care. The childminder helps children to gain a complete understanding of hygiene and become independent in their personal care. For example, children wash their hands with anti-bacterial hand wash after toileting, playing in the garden and before eating, this helps prevent cross-infection. The childminder uses anti-bacterial gel after changing the baby.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works to good policies and procedures which she has devised in relation to health, hygiene, medication and illness. Very sound procedures are in place for children who are unwell to safeguard the good health of other children who attend the provision. Children receive appropriate first aid because the childminder maintains her first aid training.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are positively encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle because the childminder provides healthy snacks and meals. She always ensures that fresh fruit and vegetables are available for children. They enjoy oranges and bananas for their snack and meals such as, pork chops mash and a selection of vegetables. The children and childminder sit together while eating to promote their social graces.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of stimulating physical activities. They make regular trips out to the local park where they run freely, climb and balance. They visit the local beach where they use tools to dig and create holes. fill it up with water and watch it drain away. Children move confidently with control and coordination. They negotiate obstacles well and use a range of small and large equipment to great effect. Older children benefit from opportunities to relax on arrival home from school, whilst younger children are able to rest according to their individual needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder’s comfortable home. This fosters the children’s sense of security and helps them separate from their parents and carers happily because they feel secure in the welcoming environment and the childminder’s care. Children have opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities because there is good space available to them for different sorts of play.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted very well because the childminder is meticulous in ensuring her home stays safe for the children. For example, she records that she regularly tests the smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order and has devised an emergency escape plan. Children are therefore able to develop their natural curiosity and explore the home freely and in safety. Children are also protected when out of the home because the childminder carefully considers potential hazards. For example, children learn about road safety when out on walks and how to get in and out of the car safely. Children learn effectively about the actions they have to take to keep themselves safe as they grow in independence.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding all children. She has covered child protection training and is clear in her

p.3

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 responsibilities. The childminder maintains regular, informal communication with parents which develop strong partnerships between all those involved in keeping children safe.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and purposefully occupied while at the childminder’s home. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. For example, children learn about colour mixing as they play with play dough recognising that the blue play dough looked green when in the yellow container. While making a play dough mountain the child thought the white top look more like toothpaste than snow.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy both their spontaneous play and those activities planned by the childminder such as craft activities. Children are motivated because they enjoy what they do and have a range of resources readily available to them to develop their own games and ideas. The childminder listens to and values what the children say and do. For example, when asked what the child like to put on his pancakes when he was playing chief in the play kitchen he said 'onion sauce', the childminder said 'that was very interesting'. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement which also fosters their self-esteem and promotes a positive attitude to learning and develops their confidence.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides children with a positive role model because she talks with parents and other children which encourages children to communicate well with one another. She talks to young children explaining what they are doing which encourages children to link words with actions. All children share books and learn songs and act out familiar roles when they ‘pretend’ play. Children’s literacy skills are promoted because they have frequent opportunities for mark-making, with the older children writing freely while playing with the animal hospital.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have good relationships with the childminder because they have been cared for by her for some time and she knows them very well. Children have a very strong sense of belonging because they are made to feel valued as part of an extended family.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated as individuals and with respect by the childminder, which promotes their sense of self-worth effectively. Children are provided with equality of opportunity in their everyday routines and all are enable to take part in activities and experiences. For example, boys and girls play with a range of play materials that promote their understanding of positive gender roles.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to greet each other and say goodbye to their parents which helps them develop secure and trusting relationships. Children learn good social skills to enable them to build strong and warm relationships with the childminder and the other children. They learn how to share and take turns when playing with the Hama Beads or singing and dancing. Children’s good behaviour is promoted through lots of positive language and encouragement. Subsequently, children are well-behaved, polite and helpful.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from seeing the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents and carers. The childminder actively promotes an open two way communication with all parents and carers to ensure that she can offer consistent and good quality care. She has

p.4

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 experience of dealing with children with asthma, celiac, psoriases/eczema, mild dairy intolerance and has had training in basic sign language.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are protected from non-vetted persons because the childminder ensures that all persons in the household are vetted and that non-vetted persons do not have unsupervised access to children. Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios are met. The childminder has attended the required training course for childminders other relevant training and has seven years experience as a nanny.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of children’s welfare issues and child development through previous experience and training in childcare. Children’s needs are met effectively because the childminder organises space and resources well to promote the children’s welfare and learning.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required records and policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the childminding service. However, some of the permission slips signed by parents are not fully completed which may cause confusion as to activities they can and can not participate in. Her complaint procedure also requires updating to ensure current contact number is available to parents. The childminder ensures that all documentation about individual children is shared with their parents and carers.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The range of resources has been expanded on therefore children have better opportunities to learn about our differences and similarities.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints 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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 parents fully complete permission slips • ensure that complaints procedure has the appropriate contact details.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6