Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349183 Unique Reference Number 13 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 five in Rochford, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house excluding the study, lounge, utility room and two rooms on the first floor 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 four children after school and in the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, two birds that are kept in the home and an aviary in the garden.

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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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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. The children are well protected from cross-infection and their good health is promoted because the childminder implements good hygiene practices. For example, children use individual sheets of kitchen towel to prevent cross-infection. The childminder has a written sick child policy which is shared with the parents. All of the required documentation to promote the children’s good health is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a home cooked meal daily such as, roast dinners, beef casseroles and spaghetti bolognaise. Drinks are made available throughout the day. The childminder ensures that she is aware of allergies and other special dietary requirements so that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good opportunities for children to take part in physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities. For example, they walk to and from school and use bikes, and climbing apparatus in the garden. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise each day which promotes a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of a good hygiene practices as they are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting and are reminded to flush the toilet so it is clean for the next person.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is able to deal with any minor injuries as she has a current first aid certificate.

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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 very child friendly home which promotes their sense of security. Their all-round development is promoted well because the childminder has a wide range of toys and play materials. However, there are limited resources relating to similarities and differences. The play equipment is stored at child-height in the family room so they are able to access resources promoting independence and choice. The family room is welcoming to children and their families. Equipment and play resources are checked regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use. Children play in a home in which the childminder carries out risk assessments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings; they have recently covered road safety and have been taught to stop at each drive when walking to and from school. They are well protected because the childminder has covered safeguarding children on her introduction to childminding training and is aware of local contact details. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns. Only persons that have had appropriate checks have access to the minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle into the environment exceptionally well and are happy, confident and eager to learn. They are involved in a stimulating range of activities which are interesting, fun and

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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 curiosity, creativity and imagination. For example, they had fun making an obstacle track in the garden and riding around it on their bikes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All areas of children's development is enhanced by the quality of the childminder's interactions. Children are listened to and their communication skills are well promoted as the childminder positively responds to their questions. She has a very good understanding of how children learn and how to meet their individual needs. Activities are adapted to ensure that all children can participate. Children are totally absorbed and interested in everything they do and are confident to try new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy outing to Wyatt Tyler park and Marsh Farm in the school holidays and often visit the park and other open places on the way home from school. This gives the children an added interest in the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have good relationships with the childminder because she makes them feel welcome in her home by allowing the free access to the garden and family room were they are able to rest or play as they wish. They are all treated as individuals and with respect by the childminder, which promotes their sense of self-worth effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some experience of working with children with dairy intolerance. Children are provided with equality of opportunity in their everyday routines, however, activities reflecting our differences and similarities are limited. They have some opportunities to become aware of the wider society as they celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year when the children had fortune cookies and Easter when they had Easter eggs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s good behaviour is promoted through lots of positive language and encouragement. Subsequently, children are well-behaved, polite and helpful.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from seeing the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents and carers. The childminder actively promotes an open two-way communication with all parents to ensure that she can offer consistent and good quality care. Parents are provided with a good range of information promoting the childminder's professionalism.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected from non-vetted persons because the childminder has been vetted and ensures that non-vetted persons do not have unsupervised access to children. Children’s needs are met very effectively because the childminder ensures that the required adult to child ratios are met. She has passed the introduction to childminding practice and attended first aid training.

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Organisation

Children’s needs are met very effectively because the childminder organises space and resources well to promote the children’s welfare and learning. For example, they have free access to the outside play area from the kitchen diner and are able to relax in the family room.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all of the required records for the efficient and safe management of the childminding service. The childminder ensures that all documentation about individual children are shared with their parents.

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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 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

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): • consider providing further activities to help children appreciate and value each other’s 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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