Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307635 Inspection date 05 December 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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and four children aged 2, 11, 13 and 17 years in a house in Colchester. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, she takes children to the park and library. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part time basis. Two are aged over 8 years and one is aged under 8 years.

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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 has two pet dogs, a rabbit and a lizard.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy by following the childminder's clear directions, such as, washing hands when they first come in from school, before meals and after using the toilet. They have an individual towel to prevent cross infection. Children who are unwell do not generally attend the childminder's, if they fall ill whilst in the childminder's care, she contacts the parents or one of the other emergency contacts and arranges for the children to be taken home, dealing with their illness and comforting them until they can be collected. Children who have accidents in the childminder's care are very well-cared for by the childminder following the knowledge she gained on her first aid course. Their accidents are recorded and appropriately shared with the parents. Children have daily fresh air, when they walk to and from school and when they play in the large garden. The family have two pet puppy dogs who they walk regularly. The children

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Helping children to be healthy

enjoy walking the dogs. Children are very well-nourished, they have a substantial snack after school which is balanced and contains lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. During the school holidays when children attend for a full day, they are provided with a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Children's individual dietary needs are well-met as the childminder liaises with parents and fully understands the children's needs.

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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 home which is well-organised, clean and child-friendly. They mostly play in the lounge and dining room and move freely around the ground floor. They use the first floor with the childminder's supervision. Children have access to a good range of toys and play equipment which is stored in boxes and baskets behind the sofa. Children can access the equipment safely. Children are kept safe within the home as the childminder is committed to ensuring her home provides a safe and secure environment for young children. Children learn about keeping safe within the home, by following the childminder's clear directions. When walking along the road they take the safest route and children walk on the inside of the child minder, holding on to the pushchair or childminder's hand. Children clearly understand about safety as they converse confidently with the childminder on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

this subject. Children's safety, however, is compromised, as the fire blanket is not easily accessible in case of emergency. Children are protected from potential harm, by the childminder having a very clear and comprehensive understanding of child protection issues. She demonstrates a

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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 sound knowledge and understanding about protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a wide range of activities during the inspection which are appropriate for their individual needs. They draw pictures, write Christmas cards, show an interest in the newly decorated Christmas Tree and experiment with a box of crayons, glue and glitter which is presented to them during the inspection. Children cook with the childminder, they make cakes and enjoy learning about weight and measurement, as well as sampling their finished products. Children enjoy caring for the families pets. They are actively involved in feeding the animals and gain a good understanding of nature by watching the frogs and fish in the pond. Children grow seeds and plants. They use the leaves from the garden trees to make pictures and collages and to talk about the changing seasons. Children have opportunities to socialise with other adults and children when the childminder meets with friends and attends a local toddler group with her own child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are confident children and enjoy social interaction. Children express themselves through role play and imaginative play. They dress up and enjoy acting as characters such as 'a witch'. Children develop an excellent understanding of language as the childminder and her family speak to minded children clearly, encouraging their language skills by introducing new vocabulary and giving children good opportunities to participate in conversations and to 'have a voice'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very well-met as parents share good quality information with the childminder during a number of meetings prior to the childminding arrangement commencing. Children have access to toys, books and resources which reflect other people's beliefs and equal opportunities. Children learn about other people's customs as the childminder is committed to providing them with sound, hands-on experiences of other people's festivals and celebrations. Children are valued and respected, they play an active role within the family and have opportunities to express their feelings and emotions through play and discussion. Children with specific needs are appropriately cared for by the childminder drawing upon her child development knowledge and working closely with parents to accommodate all children's needs. Children understand the 'ground rules' and boundaries within the childminder's house

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Helping children make a positive contribution

as she clearly and calmly re-inforces them. They receives praise and encouragement as demonstrated throughout the inspection by the childminder using vocabulary such as 'you are such as good girl' and 'thank you so much for clearing those things'.

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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 get on well together, they enjoy each other's company and demonstrated a good awareness of sharing and cooperating. They negotiate difficult situations and learn about compromise as the childminder talks them through the best way to resolve a problem, for example, two children want a small bottle of glue, but through gentle persuasion, understood that they need to take turns and are soon seen waiting patiently for their turn. Children are excellently cared for by the childminder and parents having a very good relationship. They are open and share information daily. They form good working relationships and agree on the way children should be cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well-cared for by an organised and efficient childminder. They are always in the care of adults who have been vetted and cleared to be in the proximity of children. Children are cared for in appropriately sized groups as the childminder is committed to providing good quality care and feels this is only really achievable if she limits her numbers to one or two children at a time. Children make good use of the space within the house to extend their play. Children's individual needs are well-documented to enable the childminder to care for them efficiently. Good written information is available for parents and the records and contracts are reviewed regularly to ensure the children's changing needs are accommodated. Overall the range of children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • display the registration certificate at all times whilst childminding • ensure that a fire blanket which conforms to BSEN safety standards is provided in the kitchen to promote children's safety.

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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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