Childminder in EssexOfsted inspection, 8 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201747 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Jima Fotopoulou

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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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with one child aged 15 years. They live in a residential area of Basildon. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and she is currently minding 2 children up to 8 years of age, who both attend on a part-time basis. There are 2 children on roll. During the inspection there was 1

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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 minded child present. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat and fish as pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's sufficient procedures and support. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has satisfactory procedures in place when changing nappies, to help children be clean and healthy. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy diet and ensures that healthy options are available to them. She is aware of specific dietary requirements and she liaises appropriately with parents in order to meet individual dietary needs. The childminder has a communication book in place to ensure that parents are kept fully informed about their children's food and drink intake, especially for the younger ones. Children have access to drinks at all times. Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's appropriate procedures such as parental consent for administering medication and seeking emergency

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Helping children to be healthy

treatment. She has recently updated her knowledge in first aid to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of an emergency. Children develop their physical skills by using a fully enclosed garden with a wide range of outdoor equipment such as child size bicycles and on outings, for example, by visiting various groups, the park and the seaside. However, parental consent for taking children on outings was not in place to ensure that parents are kept fully informed. The childminder has adequate arrangements for minded children to sleep or rest in accordance to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder regards children's safety as her priority. The childminder ensures that children have access to a fairly safe and secure environment by carrying out regular risk assessments both indoors and when on outings. However, the bathroom lock was at child height which means that children's safety was compromised. Children have easy access to suitable and age-appropriate toys and equipment which are clean and stored safely. They are able to make choices with the childminder's support who supervises them at all times.

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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 Children are protected from accidents indoors due to the childminder's adequate equipment such as fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms on both floors. She has put safety precautions in place such as covering the pond in the garden to ensure children's safety. Children have access to a hazard free and well-organised play area which fosters their independence while keeping them safe. Children are kept safe on outings due to the childminder's sufficient procedures such as performing risk assessments prior to the visit and by having parents' contact details with her at all times along with obtaining their consent for transporting children in a car. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse; however, she was not aware of current procedures to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

follow in case of child protection concerns to fully ensure children's safety. Children are protected from unvetted people due to the childminder's adequate procedures such as by releasing children only to their parents or persons nominated by them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's house. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment which they find interesting such as construction bricks, train sets, child size kitchens and prams for pretend play and drawing material. They confidently choose toys and resources for themselves and their choices are respected. They participate in interesting and worthwhile activities such as baking shortbread or collecting leaves to make a collage. The childminder supports their play and helps them extend their knowledge, for example, by talking to them about colours and numbers. Children have warm relationships with the childminder. They use their own initiative in selecting activities, for example, by choosing the book they want to read or drawing a picture. Resources and play materials are readily available to children, which fosters their independence. The childminder's constant support helps children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop their confidence and self-esteem, for example, by being praised for their efforts. Children enjoy a safe, fully enclosed garden with a wide range of resources such as slide, swings, basket ball net and child size bicycles and cars, which helps them develop their physical skills. The childminder regularly takes children on outings which help them develop their social skills and gain an awareness of the world beyond their home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect helping them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and she includes all

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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 children in the life of the setting. Children learn about equal opportunities from an adequate range of resources such as books and puzzles, which mostly reflect positive images of diversity. Boys and girls are provided with the same opportunities which help children avoid gender stereotypes. Children behave well due to the childminder's sufficient ways of encouraging and promoting good behaviour such as praise. The childminder uses age-appropriate techniques and liaises with the parents to ensure consistency in dealing with challenging behaviour. Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges both verbal and written information with them on a daily basis to ensure continuity of care between the setting and the children's home. Their wishes are respected which means that

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and benefit from a well-organised and homely environment which helps them feel secure and confident. The range and quality of activities both indoors and outdoors is good for all children and supports their learning and play. Most required documentation is in place to support the childminder's practice. However, parental signatures were missing from the attendance register and children's records were not adequately completed which means that the care provided for the children is compromised. The childminder has satisfactory arrangements for storage of files and confidentiality is mostly maintained. The childminder's satisfactory practice and good working relationships with parents ensures that children's needs are met. The childminder has recently updated her first aid knowledge to ensure children's safety in case of an emergency. She has also expressed an interest in developing

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Organisation

her knowledge regarding recent developments in childcare for example by attending a 'Birth to three matters' course. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has indicated clearly the names of the parents on children's detail forms and has obtained parental consent regarding administering medication and transporting children in a vehicle. This means that the childminder has taken all necessary steps to ensure that children are protected and cared for according to their parents' wishes. At the last inspection the childminder was also asked to update her criminal records bureau checks and ensure that Ofsted is notified of all significant events. The

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Improvements 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 childminder has recently updated her police checks to ensure that she remains suitable to care for children and she is aware of the need to inform Ofsted of any significant events. This means that children are safe in her care.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written parental consent for taking children on outings • ensure that parents sign the attendance register and that children's records are kept complete and up to date. • have regards to current procedures to follow in terms of child protection e.g. by obtaining the DFES booklet "What to do if you are worried a child is being abused" and take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and out are minimised. (this refers to: lock on toilet door)

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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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