Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362765 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2008 Inspection date Suzanne Joyce Stedman 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 child aged four in Southchurch, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house excluding the master and second bedroom 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 daily and one child for overnight care at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean and hygienic home environment where they are well protected from infection because the childminder follows good hygiene routines. Children learn effectively

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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 about their own personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after toileting using their individual flannels and towels. Children know that washing their hands stops germs spreading.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross-infection because the childminder has the appropriate procedures and documentation in place. For example, an exclusion period is included in parental contracts to ensure that when children are sick they are kept at home so other children do not become infected. All signed permission for medication, emergency medical advice or treatment and transport are in place. The childminder provides the meals and snacks for the children such as, chicken, cheese, tomatoes and cucumber. Children are aware that ‘treats’ are appropriate in moderation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn that exercise is fun, good for them and helps them keep fit when they regularly go on outings to the beach, park and woods. They enjoy exercising on the trampoline in the garden, this promotes a healthy attitude to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle and encourages them to adopt this lifestyle for their future good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder’s comfortable home. This promotes the children’s sense of security and helps them separate from their parents happily because they feel secure in the welcoming environment and the childminder’s care. Children have opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities because there is good space available to them for different sorts of play, however, resources showing our similarities and differences are limited.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted very well because the childminder is meticulous in ensuring her home stays safe for the children. For example, she records that she regularly tests the smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order and has devised an emergency escape plan which the children practise with her. Children are therefore able to develop their natural curiosity and explore the home freely and in safety. Children are also protected when out of the home because the childminder carefully considers potential hazards. For example, children learn about road safety when out on walks in the surrounding area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding all children. She covered child protection training when completing the childminding training course and is clear in her responsibilities. The childminder maintains regular, informal communication with parents which develop strong partnerships between all those involved in keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and purposefully occupied while at the childminder’s home. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. For example, children learn as they use the CBeebies website.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy both their spontaneous play and those activities planned by the childminder such as playing on the trampoline and with water play in the garden. Children are motivated because they enjoy what they do and have a range of resources readily available to them to

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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 develop their own games and ideas. The childminder listens to and values what the children say and do. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement which also promotes their self-esteem and a positive attitude to learning and develops their confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides children with a positive role model because she talks with parents and other children which encourages children to communicate well with one another. They enjoy outings to the beach were they collect stones and shells and bring them home and decorate them. Children’s literacy skills are promoted because they have frequent opportunities for mark marking in their scrap books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home and are treated as part of the family. They feel included in the daily routines of family life and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder takes time to get to know the children in her care so that she can meet their needs. She achieves this by ongoing discussion with parents and spending most of her time actively involved with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder’s consistent boundaries and behaviour management. The children’s good behaviour is rewarded with lots of praise and they enjoy choosing treats for good behaviour. This helps the children to feel good about themselves and develops confidence. The children play well together and learn to share and take turns. This promotes children’s awareness of being kind and considerate to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated with equal concern and respect. Children learn about the local community and the wider world through everyday activities and experiences such as, feeding the ducks at the park. They celebrate festivals from around the world that reflect the wider society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is good written information available for parents. Displays of children’s work and their scrap books are available for parents to see. The childminder has developed very good relationships with parents and they share information on a regular basis. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and with regard to parents' wishes and the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from the childminder’s experience and skills developed from being a mother and completing appropriate training. All children are appreciated and are cared for in a safe, well organised and welcoming home environment.

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Organisation

The children are protected because the childminder has undergone the appropriate checks to ensure that she is suitable to look after children. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to the requirements and conditions of her registration. She has attended additional training to continue to develop her knowledge of childcare.

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Organisation

All the required documentation to promote the children’s well-being and safety is in place and maintained to a high standard.

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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): • further develop resources to reflect our similarities and differences.

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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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