Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360187 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2008 Inspection date Justine Leong 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 in Chelmsford, Essex. The whole 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted as the childminder encourages them to follow robust hygiene procedures throughout the day. For example, children wash their hands with warm water and soap, after using the toilet and before eating. However, all children share one towel to dry their hands, potentially increasing the risk of cross-infection. Effective systems are in place to ensure children are well cared for in the event of a medical emergency; the childminder has completed

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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 first aid training, a clear accident record is maintained and an appropriately stocked first aid box is available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating as they are offered a range of nutritious meals and snacks that take account of their individual dietary needs and preferences. All food is freshly prepared and includes a wide range of fruit and vegetables, helping to ensure children receive a balanced diet. Mealtimes are a social occasion when the childminder sits at the table with the children to encourage good eating habits. Children have free access to drinks of fresh water to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They have daily access to a safe and secure garden where they enjoy playing with a wide range of toys and equipment including balls, ride-on toys and a slide. Children also benefit from valuable opportunities to develop physical skills such as balance and coordination as they play on climbing equipment during regular visits to local parks and soft play centres. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs. The childminder provides each child with their own bed linen and sleeping children are regularly checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment, where they move about freely and independently under the childminder's constant supervision. They have ample space to play and frequently benefit from the opportunity for free-flow play between the inside and outdoor areas. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder has taken several steps to reduce possible risks, for example, using safety gates to exclude children from the kitchen and fitting socket covers on all low-level plug sockets. However, potential hazards have not been identified in the downstairs shower room, compromising children's safety. Fire alarms are located throughout the property and the childminder has considered an evacuation procedure, helping to ensure children remain safe in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of high quality toys and equipment that conform to safety standards. These are developmentally appropriate for the children attending the setting and many are stored to allow independent access. All toys and resources are regularly cleaned and checked for signs of damage to ensure they remain safe for children to play with. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has attended appropriate training and understands her role in child protection. The child protection policy is shared with parents and the childminder is confident of the correct procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled in the welcoming and child-friendly environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her sound knowledge of child development. Children enjoy free play much of the time in the home, independently selecting games and puzzles from the wide range available. The childminder frequently gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, consolidating and extending their language and curiosity with effective questioning. For instance, children work together to create a large picture and the childminder encourages them to use their existing knowledge to draw familiar animals.

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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 Children are increasingly confident and are developing good self-esteem as the childminder listens to them attentively and is very intuitive of their needs. They have good opportunities to participate in creative activities; they enjoy painting, cooking, collage and cutting and sticking. Children have access to fiction and non-fiction books, which they share with the childminder. Children also benefit from attending local mother and toddler groups where they access a broad range craft activities and develop good social skills as they interact with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder ensures they are all valued and included. They are encouraged to bring familiar items from home and to have them whenever they wish. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude to promoting equality of opportunity and children are cared for in an environment that celebrates their differences and similarities. A good range of resources that are representative of diversity are available including books, dolls and small world toys. Children are developing responsible behaviour as they are encouraged to assist with tidying away toys when they have finished playing with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistently calm and polite, acting as a good role model for behaviour. Developmentally appropriate behaviour management strategies are used including praise, explanation and encouragement. Children understand what is expected of them and, consequently, behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder fosters with parents and carers. All required documentation and written consents are in place to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents and carers, helping to ensure they are fully informed of her childcare practices. Information is shared via a daily diary recording children's meals and daily routines to ensure their changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. Parents compliment the high level of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well cared for by the motivated childminder who organises her day effectively to provide a successful balance of activities, both indoors and outside. Children are very happy and secure as they receive good levels of care and support from the knowledgeable childminder. The childminder has attended a wide range of relevant training to support her registration and underpin her strong practice. Children are secure and confident and clearly benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. Accurate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to support practice and these are shared with parents and carers. All written parental permissions have been obtained, helping to ensure children are cared for in line with parents' wishes and documentation is stored securely and confidentially. Overall, 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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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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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): • provide individual hand towels to reduce the risk of cross-infection • ensure potential risks are identified and minimised, this relates to the shower, cleaning products in the shower room and low-level glass in the sitting room.

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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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