Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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204266 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and 15 in Chafford Hundred, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house excluding the master bedroom, study and second floor is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding five children after school and occasionally in the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. The family has a cat.

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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 (NCMA).

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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 good. The children are protected effectively from cross-infection and their good health is promoted well because the childminder implements good hygiene practices. The home is clean and well maintained. The childminder has a good understanding of health and hygiene issues. All of the required documentation to promote the children’s good health is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet provided by the childminder. Most food is prepared using fresh ingredients and the childminder uses her knowledge of healthy eating to ensure that children eat well. Drinks are made available throughout the day and children are encouraged to help themselves when possible using dedicated cups which promotes their independence skills. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to take part in physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities. For example, walking home from school, climbing on equipment in the local park and going on picnic with other childminders and their children. Children benefit from fresh air each day which stimulates their minds and bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they are encouraged to talk about foods which are good for them, wash their hands to prevent germs spreading and learn that physical activity is fun. This promotes a positive attitude and encourages them to adopt this lifestyle for their future good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and comfortable home which promotes their sense of security. They have good access to a well equipped garden where they can play freely and safely. Children’s all round development is promoted because the childminder has a range of play materials however limited resources showing our differences and similarities are available. Equipment and play resources are checked regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a home which is regularly checked by the childminder for safety. She demonstrates her understanding of safety issues in her daily practice and her emergency evacuation plan. Children are effectively learning about keeping themselves safe through everyday routines. This is because the childminder reinforces safety measures with the children. Children talk about road safety through first hand experiences when out walking home from school with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has a written safeguarding children policy which she shares with parents and carers.

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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. Children benefit from a wide range of activities and experiences in and out of the childminder’s home. Their confidence and self-esteem is well promoted through the good interaction between them and their childminder and they have lots of fun playing together. This promotes a positive attitude to their future learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language is very well promoted through purposeful conversation with the childminder and good activities which promote their learning in this area. The childminder asks lots of open-ended questions encouraging children to think and reason. Children enjoy a good range of books which are readily available for them. They enjoy creating with a good selection of craft materials such as making a Santa face with feathers, different papers, big moving eyes and a bell for Santa's hat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children’s early mathematical skills are developed well as the childminder talks and plays with them. For example they compare shape, size and number as they use the craft materials. Children talk imaginatively about what they have made. Children have good access to toys and equipment which are well organised and arranged at low-level. This effectively promotes the children’s independence skills and allows them to develop their own games and ideas.

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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. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child.

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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 enabled 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.

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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 and be polite to each other saying 'please' and 'thank you' for items given and shared. Children’s good behaviour is promoted through lots of positive language and encouragement. Subsequently, children are well-behaved, polite and helpful.

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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.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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. Their needs are met effectively because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios are met and that the training and qualifications requirements are met. These measures contribute to the children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to take an active part in the home in which they are being cared for. Children’s needs are also met effectively because the childminder organises space and resources well to promote the children’s welfare and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required records and policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the childminding service. The childminder ensures that all documentation about individual children is shared with their parents and carers.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection you agreed to obtain parental consent for transporting children in the car and update records to include relevant health details. These areas have been satisfactorily covered therefore children may travel in the car with parents consent and all relevant health records are readily available.

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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 confidentiality is maintained at all times, this refers to the accident book • consider providing activities to help children appreciate and value each others’ similarities and differences.

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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 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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