Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282262 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date S Campbell 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight years of old. The family live in a three-bedroom semi detached house situated in a residential area of Gidea Park, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding; there is also a garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time and is currently minding five children full and part-time. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local community groups. The family have a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained and warm environment. They are reasonably protected from the risk of infection because before preparing meals the childminder ensures her hands are washed and there are appropriate procedures in place when changing younger children. However, children's hands are not always washed before mealtimes and the changing mat is not always consistently wiped after each change.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures all relevant information is obtained about allergies and there are appropriate procedures and systems in place to record accidents and medication. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. First aid boxes are adequately stocked and taken on outings to ensure children can be adequately cared for in the event of sustaining a minor injury.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy social mealtimes. The childminder encourages children to sit at the table and talks to them while eating. They receive a good range of nutritious meals and snacks, for example fruit and freshly prepared meals. This helps children develop healthy eating habits. The childminder encourages children’s independence from an early age. They enjoy feeding themselves with finger foods and children receive water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s good health is further promoted because they regularly take part in outdoor pursuits, such as flying kites at South Weald and going on trips to St Georges Park. This contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are well settled. They use space with confidence and they are able to explore comfortably. The children have access to a varied range of resources which enhance their overall development. The toys on offer are age appropriate, fun and provide ample stimulation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about children's safety both indoor and outdoor. There are appropriate safety measures in place and the childminder has obtained a book to gently remind children of potential dangers, for example 'Safety Safe'. The book includes information about road safety, safety in the home, bullying and stranger danger. This enables children to take responsibility for their own safety awareness. However, not all electric sockets are inaccessible to children. Children’s safety is further enhanced because the childminder ensures all relevant written parental consent has been obtained, for example outings, when using the trampoline and for transporting children on private and public transport.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The overall welfare of children is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding in child protection issues and procedures. She has implemented a child protection policy and this is fully shared with parents, which clearly informs parents of her duty to act upon any concerns.

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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. The childminder has developed good relationships with children and as a result they are confident in their surroundings. The childminder knows children well and fully understands that children learn and develop at stages. Children’s vocabulary is developing very well. The childminder spends time talking and playing simple games with children to extend their language development, for example ‘Matching colours and Textures’. Children benefit from matching colours and pictures, such as the yellow square and banana. Whilst playing games with the childminder they imitate animal noises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has regard for the Birth to three matters framework and plans for children’s activities and outings. The children are able to make independent choices about what they would like to do and resources are provided on request. The childminder is tentative towards children’s needs and when upset she comforts children and distract them by looking at the talking book, which captures children's interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Through good planning the children take part in a range of arts, craft and cooking activities including visiting places of interest. They attend song and rhyme sessions at the local library and older children make creative designs from hama beads.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity. Children are beginning to appreciate other cultures, similarities and differences through panned topics, for example Chinese New year. The childminder ensures all relevant information is obtained about children’s needs to ensure they are fully known and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, the childminder is committed to providing an inclusive setting and working in partnership with parents to ensure children’s needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder works in partnership with older children to implement house rules and they take part in designing and making posters. The posters are displayed around the home and state ' be friends’ and ‘don't be horrible’. This encourages children to have respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good information about the childminder and day to day activities. There are both formal and informal systems in place to share information with parents about younger children's development, such as a daily information sheet. The childminder ensures all relevant information is displayed for parents to see, such as her certificate of registration and the weekly activity plan. The childminder effectively works in partnership with parents and they are given a copy of her inspection report and the complaint procedure is fully shared. This ensures parents know who to contact should they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's overall care is enhanced by the information shared between parents, the childminder and her well organised record keeping. The childminder has attended a number of courses since

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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 her last inspection and endeavours to attend further courses to enhance her knowledge and practices, for example a National Vocational level 3 childcare course. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

The children receive a good level of support during the day to support their care, learning and development. The childminder maintains comprehensive records including children’s daily attendance to ensure they are fully safeguarded. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder has implemented a number of polices and procedures, which are fully shared with parents to support children's welfare while at the setting. Documentation in relation to childminding business is very well organised and readily available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained all children’s emergency contact name and contact details. This promotes children’s welfare while at the setting.

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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): • further develop procedures to ensure children wash their hands at appropriate times and the changing mat is wiped after each use • further develop procedures to ensure all electric sockets in areas used by children are inaccessible

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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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