Epping Forest High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128906 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2008 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult sons. They live in a house in a residential area close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog and some tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years old at any one time; of these, not more than three may be under five years old, and of these, not more than one may be under one year. There are currently three children on roll, who attend four days a week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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. Children's health is well maintained because the childminder uses clear procedures. Children play in an environment which is kept clean and well managed. Good hygiene habits are learned at an early age so that the children readily wash their hands and ask for wipes when they need them. Pets at the premises are well looked after and clean to ensure they pose no risk to children's health. The childminder's dog is kept away from children when they are playing. Children's good health is maintained should they become unwell because the childminder has appropriate procedures in place to record medication administered and has obtained consent from the children's parents. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate. Regular physical and outdoor play benefits the children's health and growing bodies. For example, the children enjoy visits to local parks, where they can run and join in with a range of sports activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular and well balanced meals when with the childminder, who is mindful of their allergies and personal needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is well maintained and the children encouraged to develop an increasing regard for their own safety, for example, as they hold onto the buggy when crossing roads. They are well supervised when on outings and visiting local groups. Resources and equipment are well maintained and the childminder is aware that she needs to provide age appropriate equipment which is of a good standard. Children play in an environment which is generally safe and are always in close proximity to the childminder. However, some hazards relating to the childminder's chest freezer and plug sockets have not been adequately assessed. Fire prevention equipment, such as smoke alarms on each floor and a fire blanket in the kitchen area, is in place. Children have talked about and practised their emergency escape routes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safeguarded from harm because the childminder gets to know the children well and monitors them closely. However, the childminder has not attended any recent child protection training, and as a result there are gaps in her understanding of recording and sharing information procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well with the childminder because she gets to know their personalities well and communicates regularly about what they are doing. They receive lots of cuddles and reassurance and this helps them to settle into the routine provided. The sibling group currently attending benefit from their time together and interact well with each other and the childminder in a family atmosphere. The variety of toys and games available enable the children to explore their interests, for example, using dressing up scarves, dollies and buggies imaginatively. Children particularly enjoy the childminder's selection of puzzles and books and the older ones attending read aloud with increasing confidence. The children enjoy and benefit from art and craft activities and opportunities to use sand and water play in the garden. Their play is well supplemented by visits to local play groups and parks and by outings to places such as Jungle Land, where

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children can climb, jump and slide in soft play areas.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's welcoming attitude. All the children are treated with equal respect, including children who may be identified with disabilities and/or learning difficulties. Resources such as role play, puzzles and books reflect a range of cultures and ways of life and this helps the children to develop a positive self image and to learn about other ways of life. Children behave well when with the childminder who is consistent in her expectations and provides clear boundaries and regular rewards, such as visiting the cinema in the school holidays. They respond well to her regular discussions and encouragement to be kind and to share and take turns with the resources on offer. Children are busy and interested by the resources on offer and interact positively with each other as a result. They benefit because the childminder works well alongside parents in providing a home from home

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Helping children make a positive contribution

environment. Parents are well informed about their children's day and understand the childminder's complaints policy should they be unhappy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has worked for some sixteen years in this role and as a result shows maturity and experience in her interaction with the children. Clear routines, including times to play, rest, eat and go on trips, help the children know what is happening and ensures they are settled in her care. The childminder understands that children should not be left with un-vetted adults and ensures they are well supervised at all times. However, there are some gaps in her knowledge, most notably of current safeguarding children procedures, and she has limited contact with the local authority on child protection issues. The childminder has ensured her first aid certificate is up-to-date.

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Organisation

Documentation to support the childminding business, including details about the children and their attendance, is up-to-date and readily available for inspection. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep a daily record of children's attendance and to ensure that a system for recording all medication administered to minded children was in place, including prior written parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment. She was asked to ensure that the complaints procedures complied with revisions made to National Standards in October 2005 and to ensure that all checks, including Criminal Records Bureau checks, are carried out on all members of the household over the age of 16. The childminder was asked to obtain an up-to-date paediatric first aid qualification.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has an up-to-date first aid certificate and a full medication procedure in place, including consent from the children's parents. This ensures children's well-being. The complaints procedure in place reflects current guidelines and all adults at the premises have been suitably checked.

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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

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 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): • ensure all hazards around the environment are assessed to ensure children's safety at all times • update knowledge of current child protection procedures by seeking training in this area

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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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