Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 201979 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 since 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in a house in Dovercourt. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes chidlren to the local parks and the library. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children on a part time basis.

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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 The family have two pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health needs are well met by the childminder setting clear boundaries and guidance about health issues within her home. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals, they use individual towels to dry their hands with. Children who are unwell or have accidents within the childminder's care are appropriately cared for as she follows her sickness policy and uses the first aid knowledge she gained through first aid training to deal with their injuries efficiently. Children have regular daily access to fresh air, either in the garden or at the local park. The childminder encourages children to exercise and to learn about keeping fit and healthy by using the trampoline, running races and using the water slide in the garden in good weather. Children are provided with a well-balanced healthy diet. Their individual needs are acknowledged and incorporated into the weekly menu. Children's specific diets are

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Helping children to be healthy

followed and good communication between the parents and childminder ensures that their changing needs are met. Children aged under-3-years are very well cared for by the childminder making good use of the guidance within the 'Birth to three matters' framework. They sleep and eat in accordance with their home routines and parents are very well-informed about their child's day as the childminder shares relevant information verbally when the children are collected.

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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 safe and well-organised home. They have freedom to move around the ground floor, which comprises of a lounge, hallway and kitchen. They mostly play in the lounge and dining area. The garden is easily accessible through patio doors. Children have access to a good range of toys and play equipment which is stored in a cupboard under the stairs. The childminder usually sets out a selection of toys and then the children help themselves with the childminder's assistance. Children learn about keeping safe on the road, by the childminder talking about road safety and by the children holding hands or holding onto the buggy. Children have access to a large trampoline in the garden. Clear safety rules have been set by the

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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 childminder who does not allow children aged under six years to play on it and restricts it's use to one child at a time. Children are always supervised by the childminder when using this piece of equipment. Children are protected from potential harm by the childminder having a clear understanding of child protection issues and following the guidance with the booklet 'What To Do if You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused'. Children aged under-3-years are kept safe within the home, by the childminder acknowledging their stage of development and ensuring that her home is appropriately organised to enable them to play safely, for example, furniture is placed at the side of the room to provide maximum clear floor space for newly mobile babies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have really good fun with the childminder. They enjoy their time together and join in with a good range of different activities. They enjoy completing a favourite puzzle and talk about the names of the pieces as they place them in the correct shapes. Children talk very confidently with each other and with the childminder. They articulate their feelings well and join in with conversation with confidence. They talk about Christmas and what they have been doing at pre-school and school. Children participate in creative activities such as painting and sticking. They have free play opportunities and some more structured activities, for example, they make snow pictures with white tissue paper. Children sing and dance to music tapes, they enjoy expressing themselves through dance, music and movement. Children enthusiastically enjoy a guessing game. The childminder asks children to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

close their eyes whilst she hides the small toy under one of the three containers, they then take it in turns to guess which container it is hidden under. Children learn about colours and numbers by the childminder reinforcing the names of the coloured containers being played with. They count everyday objects through play and learn about weight and measure by making cakes and biscuits. Children have good opportunities to socialise with other children as the childminder regularly meets up with her sister who is also a registered childminder. The children know each other well and talk affectionately about children who are cared for by the childminder's sister and also about children who have left the childminder's care to go to full time school. Children aged under -3-years are provided with toys and activities suitable to their stage of development. They are provided with adequate challenge to enable them to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

make progress in all aspects of learning.

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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 The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well-met by the parents and childminder sharing good information about their needs prior to the childminder commencing caring for them. They then develop good methods of sharing ongoing information to ensure that the children's changing needs are met. Children with specific needs are appropriately cared for by the childminder working closely with the parents. Children have access to some resources which reflect our multi-cultural society. They have dolls and small world figures. A range of books are available which portray positive images of other people's differing needs. Children have less opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and beliefs. Children play well together, they co-operate and enjoy each others company. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are made aware of the childminder's house rules, by following her clear, positive directions. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder to help them develop good self-esteem, for example; she is heard using language such as 'well-done', 'that is a beautiful picture' and 'you are so good at colouring and writing your name'. Children's needs and well-being are very well met by the childminder. Their parents have a really good working relationship with her. They talk daily and share information openly. Children aged under-3-years are provided with warm, affectionate care. They develop into strong, capable children, as the childminder uses her many years of experience to help progress their self-esteem; they are valued and made to feel an important part of the family.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has been registered for twelve years and uses her many years of childcare experience to provide a professional, caring service to local families. All adults living on the premises have been vetted and cleared. Children are in the constant supervision of the childminder or her assistant. Children are cared for in appropriately sized groups, at present the childminder is caring for seven children on a part time basis, but likes to limit her number to two or three children at a time, to enable her to meet their individual needs effectively. Children's needs are well met by the childminder using suitable documentation to record their needs and to share relevant information with parents. She has a number of written policies and has prepared herself for the inspection by devising a list of the ways in which she meets the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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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

Children have access to a range of toys and resources which reflect equal opportunities, as the childminder has developed the selection since the time of the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • continue to develop the children's learning with regard to other people's cultures through festivals and celebrations

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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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