Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358760 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2008 Inspection date Lynn Denise 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 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, five and three years in Clacton on Sea. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children some of whom attend on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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. Children learn about keeping healthy as the childminder gently reminds them to follow good hand washing procedures after they have used the toilet, when they have finished playing outdoors and before they eat meals. They also follow the handmade poster displayed at their height in the ground floor washroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children's needs are effectively met as the childminder checks and changes children's nappies as and when required. She ensures that she washes her hands following this practice and wipes the changing mat clean between each use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have accidents with the childminder are effectively cared for as she uses her recently obtained first aid knowledge to deal with their injuries appropriately. A well-stocked first aid kit is accessible and kept out of reach of children. All accidents and any medication administered are effectively recorded in the childminder's accident book and shared with the children's parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy and well balanced diet during their day. Some of their parents provide their meals which are appropriately stored and re-heated by the childminder. Other children enjoy a home cooked meal prepared by the childminder. All children sit together at the childminder's large table to share meal times. Younger children are provided with appropriate high chairs with safety restraints.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to experience fresh air on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's garden, go for walks in the local area and play at play parks. They often go for walks along the beach and collect items of interest. Children learn that exercise and keeping busy is good for them as they participate in conversations with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised and child-friendly home. They move freely around the ground floor of the childminder's home and mostly play in the large conservatory at the rear of the house. Children benefit from the furniture and equipment being appropriately presented to the sides of the rooms to provide a good amount of clear floor space. Children use the lounge for quiet play, reading or watching favourite television programmes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely access an interesting range of toys and resources from the selection available in the playroom. The toys and equipment are presented on low-level shelving, enabling children to self-select resources and make choices over their play. Children play with clean and well-maintained toys and play equipment as the childminder follows a clear cleaning routine. She washes the baby toys every week and cleans other resources on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a sound understanding about how to keep themselves safe as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They talk about walking safely along the roads and finding an appropriate place to cross. They understand the importance of being sensible when playing on the large trampoline and follow the childminder's rules that only two children play on it at a time. The children play in a safe and secure environment as the childminder is committed to ensuring her home offers appropriate play opportunities. Children's safety is however potentially

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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 compromised as the glass mirrored doors in the bedroom wardrobes are not marked to safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding about how to safeguard the children in her care. She has attended some training on the subject and feels confident about her responsibilities. All visitors to the childminder's home are monitored and minded children are always in the childminder's supervision.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They participate in a good range of activities and are provided with age-appropriate toys and play materials. Children make choices over their play and suggest ideas for future activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

On a regular basis children participate in creative play activities. They are provided with a good range of painting equipment, sticking resources and items to make collage and models with. They express themselves freely and enjoy a good mix of planned and free play opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy experiencing fresh air and outdoor play. They go for walks along the beach and collect items of interest on their way. They often play in the local parks and visit the shops in the town centre.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a close and caring relationship with the childminder. They approach her confidently and enjoy the warm interaction they receive in return. Younger children's needs are very effectively met as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding about the way in which children learn. They are provided with an exciting selection of age- and stage-appropriate shape sorters, rattles and musical toys, they explore these freely as well as being shown how to make the musical toys work by the childminder. She uses the guidance within the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her practices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled within the childminder's care. They enter excitedly and part from their parents with ease. Their individual needs are well known by the childminder as she and the parents spend valuable time discussing the children's routines, likes and dislikes and favourite activities. They meet a number of times before the childminder commences caring for the children to ensure that they are fully settled and comfortable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play with resources which enable them to develop an understanding about other people's cultures and differing needs. They explore a range of dressing-up clothes, books and small world figures. Older children are beginning to celebrate a selection of different festivals and special days.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities enjoy participating in the full range of activities on offer to them as the childminder proficiently adapts the activities to suit every child's individual needs. Their personal requirements are fully acknowledged as the childminder values all the children in her care and works effectively with the children's parents to develop a sound understanding of their needs.

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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 are knowledgeable about the simple house rules within the childminder's home as they help to develop a set of rules which they all follow. They learn to share and take turns when they play board games. They develop an understanding about caring for each other and considering each other's feelings as the childminder encourages them to take responsibility for their actions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is very effectively promoted as the childminder and parents work well together. They are committed to ensuring that the children are comfortable and are enjoying their time with the childminder. Good ongoing communication ensures that both parties are fully aware of each other's requirements and that any changes to the children's lives are effectively shared.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has been registered since 2007. She has mostly cared for school age children before and after school and has recently commenced caring for younger children during the day. She is an experienced nursery nurse who has used her qualification in a number of different settings. The childminder has attended all relevant training and enjoys gaining new knowledge through training and discussions with other professionals. Children are always in the childminder's care and all of the adults within the home have been vetted and cleared.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in groups and on an individual basis. They enjoy receiving the childminder's full attention as well as sharing their minded time with friends. The children's day is planned around the younger children's sleep and care routines and the older children's school runs. They are provided with busy and quiet times to ensure that they have a good balance of experiences.

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Organisation

Clear and effective records are kept regarding the childminder's service and are easily accessible for inspection. The childminder has devised a set of written policies and procedures which set out her working practices. These are effectively shared with the children's parents by way of a handbook and on the notice board in the children's playroom. Information about the children's needs and routines are regularly reviewed and any changes recorded.

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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 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 children's safety, this is in relation to the low-level glazing in the bedroom mirrors which is not marked to safety glass.

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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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