Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350696 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2008 Inspection date Samantha Smith 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 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her two children aged 10 and seven years in Loughton, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s premises is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. Currently, there are two children on roll, however, there were no children present on the day of inspection. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder is happy to attend local parent/toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean and well-maintained. Children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day, such as before eating and after using the toilet and playing outside. The childminder demonstrates sound hygiene practices. In addition she demonstrates a sound knowledge of first aid, which is supported by a current first aid certificate,

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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 and appropriate policies and procedures are in place for administering medication, and dealing with accidents and sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder currently provides meals for children and she demonstrates a sound understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet. She provides children with various dishes; consequently, children experience different tastes and textures. Children are also provided with regular drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular opportunities to engage in physical activities as they visit the local park on their walks home from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has made her home warm and welcoming through brightly coloured displays of posters, pictures and children's art and craft work. Toys and resources are stored appropriately around the home at low level allowing children to freely access them thus promoting their independence. The main play space is in the lounge and children's bedroom, providing children with sufficient space to play and move around freely as they explore their own interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken positive steps to promote children's safety in her home. She carries out regular risk assessments on her home and appropriate action is taken to ensure any potential hazards are removed. Smoke alarms have been checked and fitted by a fire officer on both levels of the home, there is a fire blanket in place in the kitchen and there is also a first aid box located in the home. Although the childminder has emergency evacuation procedures in place she has yet to practise these with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates how she takes children's safety into account when transporting them in a vehicle; she ensures that children are strapped into appropriate booster seats, and the appropriate documentation has been maintained with regards to the car insurance and MOT.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from child protection issues because the childminder has sound procedures in place. However, she does not have a copy of government guidelines to support her in this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides children with a suitable range of toys and resources that provide appropriate challenge for children of all ages. These are stored appropriately allowing children to make free choice about their play as they choose what they want to play with. Toys and resources include dressing up clothes, role play equipment, puzzles, board games and computer games. The childminder also encourages children to take part in a range of planned activities including cooking and various art and craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of child development. She has attended various courses including Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training, ready for its implementation in September 2008. This supports her in her practice with minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. In discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of promoting equal opportunities through her practice. She talks about the resources that she provides to promote children's understanding of other cultures and backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is currently not caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, though she demonstrates a positive attitude to meeting children's individual needs and liaising closely with parents to ensure their children's needs are fully considered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates sound procedures for managing children's behaviour. She uses behaviour charts and rewards as incentives to encourage children to behave well. She provides children with appropriate explanations about what is unacceptable about their behaviour and the consequences of their behaviour. The childminder also ensures her behaviour management strategies are discussed with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working in partnership with parents and maintaining positive working relationships with parents. Regular information is exchanged between the parents and childminder and contracts and written agreements are in place for all children attending. The childminder is aware of the regulation with regard to complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed the required suitability checks for registration. In addition, she has completed a first aid certificate and an Introduction to Childminding course and continues to keep herself updated on current childcare issues, demonstrating her commitment to improving outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The home is sufficiently organised to support children's care, learning and play needs. Furniture and space is organised sufficiently for children to move around and explore their interest freely. All the required documentation is in place and sufficiently maintained. The childminder is aware of the importance of maintaining accurate records. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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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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 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): • further promote safety in the home by practising the emergency evacuation procedures regularly and obtain a copy of current child protection guidelines.

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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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