Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231869 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Jenny Howell 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 2002. She lives with her husband and one child aged seven years. They live in a house in a residential area of Canvey Island, close to schools, pre-schools, the shops and beach. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding except the annexe. There is a fully enclosed garden 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 at any one time and is currently caring for two children, providing care during the day and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and supports new childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is promoted extremely well. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the ways in which she can promote good health. She assesses her home daily which includes

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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 checking that all food preparation surfaces are clean. When preparing food the childminder uses a temperature probe to ensure that it has been thoroughly heated and also keeps a record of when stored food has been bought, cooked or frozen. The childminder effectively reduces the risk of children spreading illnesses by providing paper towels for children to dry their hands on in the toilet and by wearing gloves when she changes nappies. Children develop an excellent understanding of good health and hygiene practices. They talk to the childminder about why they wash their hands and why they clean their faces after eating. As a result of this children are learning, at a simple level, about germs and ways to help prevent themselves becoming unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well cared for if they become ill or have an accident. The childminder accesses first aid training effectively to ensure that she continuously has an up to date certificate in first aid. She also ensures that she has a first aid kit with her at all times, including when on trips and outings. The childminder has a comprehensive, written sickness policy in place which she shares with parents and has relevant information about children, such as doctors' details and medical history on file which she can access immediately should she need to do so.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met extremely well. The childminder provides all meals for children where required. She plans these, with the children's involvement, to ensure that children enjoy a widely varied and nutritious diet. Lunches are varied each day, always providing children with fruit and yoghurt. Snacks throughout the day are usually fruit. The childminder works very effectively with parents to adapt meals to meet the individual needs of children and to help them to develop healthy and varied tastes. Children have constant access to drinks which effectively helps to keep them well hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular and varied opportunities to play and exercise outdoors. Children enjoy regular access to the garden where they have access to a wide range of equipment including rockers, bicycles and tricycles, climbing frame, slide, bats and balls. They also enjoy frequent trips to the park for further outdoor play opportunities as well as summer trips, such as to the beach, to vary their experiences further. The childminder ensures that she plans her time with great care to provide children with daily opportunities to exercise. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. The childminder is very sensitive and responsive to the individual needs and routines of children and provides them with space to sleep in safety and comfort, while monitoring them constantly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely safe and secure environment. The childminder has taken steps to carefully assess all potential hazards to children and has taken appropriate action to ensure that any risks are minimised. The childminder carries out daily, written checks of all areas used by children and is highly aware of everyday hazards, such as a hot kettle. Simple and effective precautions, such as cupboard locks, a stair gate and fire blanket are in place to protect children. As well as this the childminder checks smoke alarms monthly and combines this with an evacuation practice which she carries out with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept very safe on outings. The childminder ensures that appropriate seats and restraints are used when travelling by car, and she carries a first aid kit with her at all times. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe effectively as the childminder teaches them how to cross roads safely and explains the reasons behind safety rules and routines. Children play with very safe and suitable equipment which is checked on a daily basis and regularly

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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 cleaned. Children's welfare is extremely effectively promoted as the childminder has a very good understanding of her duty to safeguard children. She has a written child protection policy in place which she shares with parents and has also attended training in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children develop extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They establish a very close and supportive relationship with the childminder, who provides them with an extremely high level of support as well as a great deal of praise and encouragement. This effectively helps to put children at ease and gives them the confidence to lead their own play and make suggestions about what they want to do next. Children show a very high level of interest and engagement in all that they see and do. This is very effectively supported by the childminder who uses her excellent knowledge of child development to plan and provide rich and varied play and learning opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing at home with a wide variety of toys including bricks, puzzles, games, dolls and teddies. They also enjoy creative activities, such as painting, drawing, sticking and gluing, printing with their hands and feet and modelling with play dough which they have helped to make. Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities to play outside, planting seeds and bulbs in the garden to grow tomatoes and hyacinths, collecting shells at the beach to decorate plant pots with and fishing for crabs at the seaside. Children learn about the world around them and how to care for animals as they help the childminder to care for and look after her fish and visit a children's farm. Children also have frequent opportunities to meet others and develop social skills as they visit toddler groups and meet up with other childminders and children to learn and play together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent access to toys and equipment. These are thoughtfully stored in low-level drawers and boxes which are clearly and brightly labelled with pictures so that all children can easily identify their contents. Children enthusiastically ask and answer questions. This effectively helps them to develop a good vocabulary as well as successfully enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of the activities they take part in. This is further enhanced by the extremely positive relationships children develop with each other and the childminder, allowing them to play cooperatively and to support each other in their interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very clear and in depth understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. As a result of this she is able to effectively plan and provide appropriate learning opportunities for children under the age of three. The childminder ensures that children have opportunities to learn in all areas and makes very good use of the framework to keep a record of the progress children have made. These records are carefully illustrated with photographs, written notes and samples of children's achievements to provide detailed information on progress and achievements for both the childminder and children's parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a very strong sense of belonging. They are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and are able to choose freely from the wide range of toys and equipment which are made available for them to access with ease. They are also able to become involved in making decisions about the things which affect them, such as planning meals and choosing holiday time day trips. Children develop a good understanding of wider society as they enjoy

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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 range of activities which help them to learn about diversity. Children learn about different world celebrations, such as Diwali and Christmas and also learn about their community by, for example, making poppies for Remembrance Day. Children learn about customs and foods from different countries, such as Jamaica and also find out about family traditions by celebrating birthdays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to caring for all children. She is aware of all the individual and special needs of each child in her care and works well with parents to ensure that these are met consistently and effectively. The childminder has attended some training in caring for children with special needs and would improve her skills further by attending training relating to specific special needs and/or disabilities. Children behave very well. They respond positively to the high level of praise and encouragement the childminder provides and are also happy to follow the clear and simple guidelines which are in place for their safety.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive an extremely high level of useful information about the care their children receive. The childminder has a full range of written policies and procedures which are shared with all parents and also has a box of useful information for them to refer to at any time. This includes, for example, information on child safety and communicable diseases. The childminder welcomes parents into her home to talk to her each day and the parents of young children receive further information through the use of a daily diary. The childminder effectively informs parents about the procedures they can follow should they have a complaint and makes a complaints and compliments book available to parents should they wish to use it. Parents are very happy with the care their children receive, commenting that the childminder is extremely approachable and trustworthy and that children are offered a wide and varied choice of activities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and receive outstanding care in a safe and happy environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by safe and suitable adults. All of the childminder's household have undergone checks with the Criminal Records Bureau and the childminder supervises children at all times. The childminder has attended a variety of courses which have helped her to develop and improve the care she provides to children and she continues to do this by attending further training, including studying towards and Level 4 qualification. The small number of children currently cared for by the childminder allows her to support individual children extremely effectively, while planned visits to meet, play and learn with other children help children to develop social skills and confidence. The childminder organises her time very well to ensure that children have these opportunities as well as the chance to play outside, explore the local environment, express their imagination as well enjoying individual attention.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of the need to care for children in line with the National Standards and ensures that she does this by keeping up to date with any changes or developments and by refreshing her knowledge and understanding through training. Children's well-being is effectively supported by the well-organised records and polices which are in place. These help to keep parents well informed, as well ensuring that the childminder has relevant information to hand at all times. All the required documents are in place to ensure that children are cared for in line with their parents wishes, including written permission to transport children by car and to seek emergency medical advice.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to attend training to ensure her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues are improved. Since the last inspection the childminder has attended various training courses to further improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues. These have included courses in equal opportunities, creative development, inclusion and physical development. The childminder continues to develop her skills and is currently studying towards a Level 4 qualification in childcare.

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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): • develop further knowledge and understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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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