Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358516 Unique Reference Number 29 May 2008 Inspection date Ann Marie Cozzi 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 in Harlow, Essex. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house 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 two children under five all day. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy being cared for in a clean, bright and welcoming environment. They learn about the importance of hygiene through the good daily routines in place. They are very well protected from the spread of infection by the positive steps taken to ensure good hygiene is practised such as, effective cleaning routines, the use of colour coded cups and regular hand washing.

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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 Children are beginning to discover the importance of eating healthy. This is promoted through encouraging them to eat a balanced diet which includes fresh fruit. The health and well-being of children is further safeguarded by systems that the childminder has in place, such as accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides daily opportunities for children to receive fresh air and exercise, for example, access to the rear garden, walks to a local park and dancing to music videos. There are also indoor play opportunities for children to develop other physical skills such as using shakers to develop a sense of rhythm, craft activities and access to large play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The well-maintained play-space is thoughtfully organised. Daily safety checks are undertaken and recorded for all areas accessed by children this ensures the environment remains safe for their use. The childminder provides a range of child-height furniture such as a table and chairs, which enables children to play and learn in safety and comfort. Toys and resources are checked daily and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that they remain in good condition for the children to use. The provision of some child-accessible storage helps children to make choices about their own play and learning and as a consequence, this assists in promoting children’s independence and self-help skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are closely supervised at all times, both inside and outside of the home. This ensures they are protected from harm. The childminder takes positive steps to help children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know what to do when there is an emergency evacuation practice. They are also beginning to learn about stranger danger. There is a clear child collection procedure in place to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare. She has a clear knowledge and understanding about her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children and knows how to make a referral if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have lots of opportunities to investigate and develop their skills in all areas of learning as they move around freely exploring toys and activities. They are very confident and secure in the childminder's care. She listens to what they say with interest allowing them ample time to think and frame their reply.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that she provides activities which develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Children explore change as they manipulate play dough, feeling the different texture and discovering what they can create. They enjoy using pushchairs during role play and at times are able to concentrate for periods of time, which helps them to develop their imaginative games. Lots of positive praise and encouragement is used by the childminder to develop children’s interest and participation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular trips out in the local area provides opportunities for children to explore the world on their doorstep and increase their confidence to socialise with others as they learn about the world in which they live. The childminder listens to children, giving them time to share their

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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 thoughts and ideas. She helps and encourages them as they learn to share resources and take turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children are active and are becoming increasingly competent as they begin to develop control over their bodies, for example, they skilfully manoeuvre pushchairs and use tools such as dough cutters. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of younger children and provides a range of appropriate activities and resources, which support their physical development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are becoming increasingly aware of each others' similarities and differences. Whilst children explore resources relating to their home cultures, opportunities for them to explore a broad range of resources reflecting the wider world are developing. Children are treated with equal concern by the childminder who is aware of their care needs and undertakes regular individual assessments. This ensures that children are provided with appropriate resources and activities for their future development. Children respond positively to the childminder who provides close supervision of children. They benefit from clear boundaries and reasonable yet challenging expectations which encourage them to discover boundary limits and begin to learn about rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported well through the partnership between their parents and the childminder. This is because parents are kept well informed about their child's progress, care, experiences and general well-being by the use of a daily diary and a monthly written assessment. As a result, children experience a good working relationship. The childminder is aware of current guidelines and has an appropriate complaints system in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed all required training. She demonstrates a commitment to update her knowledge and understanding on a regular basis through appropriate training such as the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, this ensures her practice remains current. The childminder ensures that her home is well organised and set up daily, ready for the children’s arrival. Ratios are met at all times and children are never left unsupervised.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed a good range of written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents and are implemented in practice to support the smooth running of her setting and provide positive outcomes for the children. All required documentation is in place and well maintained. All confidential information is kept securely and updated as required to meet children’s changing needs. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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

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 provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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): • further develop resources which reflect diversity

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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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