Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266219 Unique Reference Number 22 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight months and five years in a house in West Mersea. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is an 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 four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a full-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy during their time with the childminder, as she ensures that her home is clean and all surfaces and floors are hygienic. The home is checked each morning before the children arrive and the wooden floors are regularly cleaned to provide a safe and secure

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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 environment for crawling babies. Children's personal needs are effectively met as the childminder follows their individual daily routines. Their nappies are changed regularly throughout the day and the changing mat which is used is wiped clean between each use to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have accidents within the childminder's care have their injuries appropriately dealt with by the childminder using her current first aid knowledge. A record of the accident is logged and shared with the children's parents on collection. If children are unwell they are comforted and their parents are called for advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy and well-balanced diet during their day with the childminder. Younger children's meals are generally prepared and provided by the children's parents. These are stored appropriately and heated in accordance with the parent's wishes. Children enjoy a good range of fresh fruit during their day. They are provided with fresh drinking water which is topped up as and when required. Children sit at the large family table to share meal times, younger children enjoy sharing meals together as the childminder provides them with suitable high chairs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have fun outdoors. They enjoy fresh air on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's garden, go for walks along the beach and go to the local play park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a well-organised and welcoming home. They mostly play in the large playroom to the rear of the house, although they also have access to the lounge and kitchen with the childminder's supervision. The home is bright and attractive, furniture is well positioned to provide a good amount of clear floor space, especially in the playroom. Children freely access the large garden through patio doors from the playroom. The garden offers a fully enclosed play space and is equipped with an interesting selection of outdoor equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely self-select toys and resources from an exciting range which is presented in storage boxes and on shelves in the playroom. The resources which are appropriate for younger children and babies are stored in baskets and containers on the playroom floor, whilst the equipment for older children which could be hazardous to babies is stored on higher shelves. Children play with clean and hygienic play materials as the childminder follows her effective procedure for checking and cleaning the resources. The baby's toys are cleaned on a weekly basis or more often if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe and secure within the childminder's home. They are fully supervised at all times and gain an understanding about moving safely around the home through discussions with the childminder. When travelling in the childminder's car or in the double buggy, they are always appropriately restrained using car seats and safety harnesses which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children's safety is, however, compromised within the home with regards to fire. There are currently no smoke alarms situated on either floor of the house, they have been removed for decorating purposes and are waiting to be replaced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She is knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and follows current guidance on dealing with any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a good range of age-appropriate toys and play equipment. They have fun exploring their environment and feeling the textures and shapes of the toys presented to them. Children receive lots of good quality interaction and attention from the childminder. She sits on the floor with them at all times and encourages them to explore their surroundings and toys. They are clearly comfortable with her and approach her with ease, they look for her if she leaves the room and show delight when they see her reappear.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very good opportunities to explore creative play. They are presented with a good selection of paint and sticking resources which are stored in low-level storage boxes for easy access. Younger children also have opportunities to explore and express themselves through painting. Children have fun listening to and moving to a range of music. They have favourite songs and rhymes which the childminder plays for them throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to go for walks in the local area. They are regularly taken to the park and are able to enjoy the play equipment suitable for their age. They walk along the beach which is situated within a short walking distance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled and content in the childminder's care. They approach her with ease and enjoy her company. Their individual needs are effectively met as the childminder and parents spend valuable time discussing the childminding arrangement, the children's daily routines and important information about their home life. The childminder uses the information she gains to inform her practices and to provide children with individual care and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of people's differing needs and cultures as the childminder provides them with a range of books and resources which reflect diversity. They have opportunities to learn to speak Spanish as well as English as the childminder is bi-lingual. Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities have their individual needs well met as the childminder works closely with the parents and other agencies to develop a sound knowledge about their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a clear understanding about the childminder's house rules as she speaks to them in a calm and relaxed way. She is positive with the children and encourages them to calm down if they are becoming too excited. To promote harmony between younger children, the childminder ensures that she has duplicate toys and books available so that they can be provided with similar play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is actively promoted as the childminder and parents spend time discussing the children's day when they come to collect them and when they are dropped off in the morning. Ongoing verbal and written communication by way of a daily diary ensures that the parents and childminder are fully aware of the children's day and any changes in their evening routine which may affect their behaviour.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has been registered for five years. She uses her previous knowledge and experience to offer the children and families in her care a secure and stable childminding provision. All adults within the childminder's home are appropriately vetted and children are always in the childminder's supervision.

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Organisation

Children receive good quality individual attention from the childminder, who limits her service in order to appropriately meet the needs of the children in her care. Their day is based around the children's individual daily routines and includes both active and quiet times. A clear record of the children's attendance is available.

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Organisation

Well-maintained and effective records and documentation are in place and are appropriately shared with parents when required. Written information is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that the childminder is kept fully informed of any changes.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection, the childminder was required to: ensure that public liability insurance is obtained and maintained at all times and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. She was also asked to comply with the condition of registration to ensure that persons over the age of 16 years living in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check and ensure children are kept safe at the setting; this refers to developing and practising an emergency evacuation plan.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All of the above are now in place. Children's safety is better maintained as the childminder now has current public liability insurance in place and she has obtained the parents' written consent to seek emergency medical treatment. Children are encouraged to follow the written emergency evacuation plan which the childminder has now devised. All adults over the age of sixteen living on the premises have undertaken appropriate checks ensuring that minded children are suitably safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 within the home by installing working smoke alarms on each level of the house.

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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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