Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 202639 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Patricia Mary Champion

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1992. She lives with her husband who also acts as her assistant. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools, shops and the railway station in South Woodham Ferrers. All areas of the property are used for childminding, the main play space is in the living room and conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children aged under 5 years during the day and 3 children over five before and after school. The childminder or assistant walks or drives to local

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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 schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets. The childminder takes children on outings and meets with other childminders on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well-nourished. They benefit from a very nutritious and varied diet and are encouraged to make healthy choices. The childminder uses innovative and ingenious methods of encouraging children to eat a variety of vegetables and fruit, for example, by making nutritious soups and delicious smoothies. The children talk about what they like to eat and learn about foods that are good for you. Drinks are freely available so that children do not become dehydrated. The childminder and assistant are both extremely well aware of any allergies or special dietary requirements to ensure that individual needs are met. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment. They follow excellent health and hygiene practices such as washing hands before eating. The childminder holds relevant well-written policies that cover the procedures if a child becomes unwell. Additional information about communicable

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Helping children to be healthy

diseases and childhood illnesses is also kept on file for easy reference. Children are protected as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has obtained written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Any minor accidents or medication details are effectively recorded. Children have excellent opportunities for exercise and physical play, which contributes to their good health. They play in the garden, go for walks to local parks or visit the indoor soft play centre for energetic exercise. Children enjoy and repeat a wide range of movements through learning action songs and rhymes with the childminder. Children sleep or rest in comfort according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and investigate in safety within a comfortable environment. They feel safe because the children and her assistant identify and minimise any potential risks. Safety items such as stair gates and socket covers are effectively used to ensure that children are kept safe. The childminder is currently renovating her conservatory to enhance the children's play space. Children learn about their own personal safety by practising emergency evacuation procedures. Children enjoy using a wide range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are appropriate for their stages of development. Toys are checked

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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 regularly for damage and cleanliness and children learn how to use any equipment safely and carefully. Children benefit from frequent outings to local venues. They are effectively supervised at all times. The childminder holds all relevant consent agreements for children to take part in outings and to be transported in a vehicle. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She keeps up to date with current procedures through reading the recommended literature and keeps relevant information and a written child protection statement on file.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy taking part in an excellent range of stimulating and fun activities that are planned to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Activities are linked to themes and events during the year. The childminder makes sure that projects and tasks will keep children of all ages busy and interested throughout each day. Children enjoy demonstrating their creative skills and respond to challenge, making pictures, models and necklaces. They particularly enjoy using manipulative and messy materials with no expectations of an end result, for example, playing with 'gloop' a mixture of corn flour and water. Children build warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. Interaction is excellent. The childminder uses carefully formed questions to make children think. She listens to what they say to find out what they know and then extends their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding, for example, by discussing colours or numbers. Children enjoy being close and interacting with the childminder through sharing books and singing songs. They are learning rhyme and rhythm and developing a love of stores and books. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they learn cooking techniques or grow plants such as amaryllis. Children enjoy an exciting range of interesting outings. Extremely good use is made of local venues to extend children's learning experiences and children also take trips on the bus or train. They regularly visit Marsh Farm and Tropical Wings and take seaside trips to Shoeburyness and Canvey Island. Festivals and special events are celebrated throughout the year. The childminder keeps a scrapbook of photographs so that children can share and remember what they have done.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and settled in the family environment. The childminder has

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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 a positive attitude and has consistent strategies regarding behaviour management to help children learn right from wrong. Plenty of praise and encouragement is given to raise children's confidence. Children develop self esteem and respect for others. They learn about wider society as they play with toys and look at books that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disabilities. Children benefit from the friendly partnership with parents. Information is freely shared and new parents receive a welcome pack. On Mother's Day parents receive a wonderful scrapbook of photographs and pictures detailing the activities, outings and projects children have undertaken over the past year. The childminder provides flexible care to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns. Most parents have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

signed consent agreements that which set out expectations as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. However, where children do not attend for set hours each week, parents have not yet been given parental agreement forms to sign.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure because the childminder effectively organises her time, resources home to meet their needs ensuring that they can play, rest and eat comfortably and safely. The daily routine is organised around taking children to and from pre-school and school. Training supports all aspects of the childminder's practice as she is a qualified nursery nurse. All documentation is well-organised with a high regard for confidentiality. The childminder has taken time to write clear policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This ensure that safe and efficient management of the provision. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given two recommendations: to complete a first aid course, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children and ensure that a record is kept when an assistant is caring for the children. The childminder has now taken steps to improve the welfare and safety of the children. She has updated her first aid training and her register now indicates that an assistant is present at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no 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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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

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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 all parents sign written agreements which set out expectations as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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