Jane Louise Sillett

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299266 Inspection date 14 October 2005 Inspector Jima Fotopoulou

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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 husband and two children aged five and seven years. They live in a residential area of Brentwood. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 3 children who attend on a part time basis. There are 3 children on roll. During the inspection there were 2 minded children

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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 present. The childminder organises her daily routine around school runs. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's sufficient procedures and support. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet or after playing outside. The childminder has effective procedures in place when changing nappies, to help children be clean and healthy. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy and balanced diet and ensures that healthy options are always available to them such as fruit and brown bread. She is aware of specific dietary requirements and liaises appropriately with the parents to ensure that individual needs are met. Children enjoy fresh, homemade food which is nutritional and complies with parental wishes. Children learn about healthy food through activities such as making a board of all the unhealthy food options and their effects on their health. Children have access to drinks when they

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Helping children to be healthy

need to. Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's satisfactory procedures such as having a sick child policy which she verbally shares with the parents and a medication book in place. The childminder has completed a first aid course to ensure that she can respond appropriately in case of an emergency. However, the childminder has yet to obtain parental consents for administering medication and seeking emergency treatment in order to ensure that parents are kept fully informed. Children develop their physical skills by using a safe, enclosed garden and by visiting the local park. However, parental consent for taking children on outings was not in place to ensure that parents are fully informed. The childminder has sufficient procedures in place for minded children to sleep or rest in accordance with their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder regards children's safety as her priority. The childminder ensures that children have access to a safe and secure environment by carrying out daily risk assessments both indoors and outdoors. Children have easy access to safe, suitable and age-appropriate toys and equipment which are kept clean and checked regularly for safety. The childminder is very vigilant herself and ensures that unsuitable toys are kept away from the children.

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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 The children are kept safe indoors due to the childminder's sufficient procedures such as an emergency evacuation procedure which she practises with the children and fire safety equipment such as smoke alarms on both floors. Although the childminder had a fire blanket, it was not attached on the kitchen wall as it is required to fully ensure children's safety. Children have access to a well-organised and hazard free environment which fosters their independence while keeping them safe. The childminder ensures children's safety on outings by having parental contact details with her at all times. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she is aware of current procedures to follow in case of child protection concerns. Children are protected from unvetted

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

people due to the childminder's effective procedures such as releasing children only to their parents or persons nominated by them. The childminder has a password system in place to further ensure children's safety in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment which they find interesting such as construction bricks, drawing materials, musical toys, dolls, child size cot, kitchen and dolls house for pretend play, books and puzzles. They confidently choose their play materials and their choices are respected. Children participate in fun, stimulating and interesting activities, for example, by drawing pictures for their mums or making cards with glue and a variety of materials such as little pieces of coloured paper and aluminium foil. The childminder supports their play and helps them acquire new knowledge, for example, children learn about healthy food by making a board of all the unhealthy ones. Children have warm relationships with the childminder. They play happily together, share resources and take turns with the childminder's support. Children are able to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use their initiative, for example, by choosing their play materials which fosters their independence. The childminder follows the children's lead in providing activities, for example, they all sit together, look through a toy catalogue and discuss their wish list for Christmas or they talk about their parents' professions while playing with puzzles or construction bricks. The childminder's constant support enables children to develop confidence and self-esteem, for example, by being praised for finishing a puzzle or for drawing such beautiful pictures for their mums. Children enjoy outings such as going to the local park or going for swimming which helps them develop their physical and social skills and gain an awareness of the world beyond their home.

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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 Children are treated with respect helping them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and has a positive attitude towards diversity, which helps children develop an understanding of the wider community. Children learn about diversity through the available resources and discussions with the childminder. Boys and girls are provided with the same opportunities which help children avoid gender stereotypes. Children behave well due to the childminder's effective ways of encouraging and promoting good behaviour such as praise and positive reinforcement. Good manners are also actively fostered. The childminder uses age-appropriate techniques in managing challenging behaviour such as discussion and providing children with alternative ways of behaving.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed as the childminder exchanges verbal information with them on a daily basis to ensure continuity of care between the setting and the children's home. The childminder keeps complete child records to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and benefit from a homely and well-organised environment which helps them feel secure and confident. The range and quality of activities both indoors and outdoors is good for all children and supports their learning and play. Most of the required documentation is in place to support the childminder's practice such as medication, accident and incident books and complete child records. However, the required parental consents are not in place to ensure that parents are kept fully informed. Additionally, the childminder has yet to complete the pre-registration course in order to develop her knowledge in childminding practice. The childminder's satisfactory procedures and warm and friendly approach ensures that individual needs are met. Confidentiality is maintained and existing files are stored safely. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not Applicable First inspection since registration

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • ensure that knowledge in childminding practice is developed by completing the required pre-registration course • ensure that parental consents for administering medication, seeking emergency treatment and take children on outings are in place • ensure that fire safety precautions are adhered to by attaching the fire blanket on the kitchen wall.

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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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