Childminder in EssexOfsted inspection, 5 Oct 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292258 Inspection date 05 October 2005 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and seven years in a house in Colchester. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding with exception of the main bedroom. The is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one minded child every week day before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. The family has a dog, a rabbit and some fish in a garden pond.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy by the childminder demonstrating clear procedures for hand washing, for example, children wash their hands after they feed the rabbit in the garden and before sitting down for tea. Children have regular access to fresh air in the well-equipped garden and when walking to and from school. They visit local parks to extend their physical experiences. Children play on the grassed area of the garden, which is separated from the paved area, where the family's large pet dog takes exercise. Children who have accidents in the childminder's care are appropriately cared for by the childminder comforting them and following the knowledge gained at her first aid course. Parental written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment is not currently in place, therefore, children may not be efficiently treated in cases of emergency. Children are provided with breakfast, snacks and main meals each day. They have a

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Helping children to be healthy

varied diet, which is discussed with the parents and takes into account the children's likes and dislikes. Children have fresh fruit for snacks and regular drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home. They move freely around the lounge and dining area, and have access to the kitchen and conservatory. Children sometimes play in the childminder's children's bedrooms and enjoy playing in the large, fully enclosed garden. Children have access to a limited range of toys and play equipment. They can self select from the childminder's children's toys and the childminder is beginning to develop a wider range of equipment more suitable to the ages of the children being cared for. Children learn about keeping safe within the home, by the childminder discussing safety issues such as closing the stair gates and being careful when negotiating the steep step from the conservatory to the patio. Children are kept safe when walking along the road, by walking on the inside of the childminder away from the cars and by stopping at the road to cross at an appropriate place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential harm by the childminder following the Area Child Protection Committee procedures, however the booklet ' What To Do If You Are

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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 Worried A Child Is Being Abused' is not available. The childminder will obtain this to ensure that she updates her knowledge of protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a varied range of activities to choose from such as drawing, playing in the garden, completing puzzles and watching the television. Children enjoy playing with the childminder's son and learn to share and co-operate by taking turns and negotiating compromises. Activities and resources which are more suitable to the ages of the children being cared for, will further extend their learning opportunities and provide more stimulating experiences. Children learn about the environment by collecting leaves and natural things on the way home from school. They use these to make pictures and collages. Children have fun drawing pictures for their mum and develop their writing skills by the childminder encouraging them to write their name and sentences about their picture. Children are encouraged to talk openly and freely; their language is developed by the childminder involving them in all conversations and introducing new words to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met by the childminder getting to know the child's likes, dislikes and needs by talking to the parents and following their wishes. Children have limited opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and differing beliefs through positive images in the range of toys and resources which reflect equal opportunities. Children form good relationships with the childminder and her family. They enjoy their time with the childminder and talk freely about things they like to do. Children play well together, they are happy and settled. They are offered praise and encouragement by the childminder to build their self-esteem and make them feel a valued and important part of the family. Children are well cared for by the childminder and parents having good methods of communication, they talk to each other on a daily basis and the childminder informs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the parents about their child's day, what they have been doing and how they have behaved.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by adults who have been appropriately vetted and cleared, minded children are always supervised by the childminder to ensure that they are safe. Children are cared for in suitably sized groups to ensure that they have individual attention and that their individual needs can be effectively met. Children's needs are well met by the childminder using appropriate documentation to record their personal details and to record information to share with parents. They are supported by regularly updated and well maintained records, which contribute towards the health, safety and well-being of the children. Overall, the needs of the range of children for whom care is being provided are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are cared for in a safe environment as the childminder has addressed the safety issues identified at the time of her last inspection; the smoke alarm on the first floor is in working order, the garden has been cleared of potential hazards such as poisonous plants, the greenhouse and garden rubbish and the front door is secured when minded children are present.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain the parent's written consent to seek emergency medical treatment in case of emergency to ensure children can be efficiently treated • obtain the booklet ' What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' to further inform the childminder's practice with regard to protecting children

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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 • continue to develop the range of toys and activities available to the children to ensure they are well stimulated at all times.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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