Treais, Sharon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307330 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Jacqueline Oldman

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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 2 children aged 6 and 3 years. They live in a house in a residential area of Westcliff on Sea, close to schools, pre-schools, the park, library and shops. There is a fully enclosed 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 three children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The family keep goldfish.

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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. She takes children to and collects them from school and nursery.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they understand the need for good health and hygiene practices. They follow the sound example of the childminder and always wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children who are tired or unwell are sensitively cared for. Steps are taken to ensure that children are protected from infection as the childminder has a written sickness policy and children do not attend if they are poorly. Paperwork is in place to record any accidents or when medication is given and the childminder has written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. If a child has a minor accident the childminder can treat them competently as she holds a current first aid certificate. Children are well nourished. They make healthy choices and enjoy eating vegetables and fruit. Drinks are made freely available. Children have their health and dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

needs met effectively as the childminder works well with parents, gathering information about any allergies or specific dietary requirements. Children have daily opportunities for physical exercise; this contributes to their good health. They particularly enjoy going to the woods where they can splash in the mud and feed the ducks and horses. Good use is made of local parks and the beach where more energetic games can be played.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and explore in a safe and comfortable environment. Good use is made of safety items such as stair gates, socket covers and wrist tags, which help children to understand about potential hazards and safety issues. The childminder is very vigilant about security in her home. Parents are asked to give clear information regarding the people authorised to collect their child, to help keep them safe. Children's practical road sense is developed well by the childminder. High priority is given to ensuring children are kept safe on outings. Effective use of clear and consistent boundaries together with well implemented safety precautions promotes their safe management. Smoke detectors are checked frequently and a suitable fire blanket is in place to help protect children. A clear written emergency evacuation plan has been devised. Children confidently self select activities from a range of good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

quality toys and equipment that are well organised to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stages of development. The childminder has a sound awareness of the need to safeguard children; she understands that she has responsibility for child protection and is fully aware of the need to implement appropriate procedures if she has concerns about a child’s well-being. Parents receive a copy of the written child protection procedures and are made aware of the childminder’s responsibility. She keeps up to date with current procedures through training and by reading the

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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 recommended literature.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being close and are secure in their relationship with the childminder, who is attentive and affectionate in her responses to them. She achieves a good balance between supervised activities and allowing children the freedom to express their imaginations. Children are provided with a wide range of activities to offer excellent opportunities for informal learning. They are encouraged and supported well when selecting from a variety of creative materials and tools. Children develop positive self images and a sense of achievement as creators as they express themselves confidently when designing pictures from a wide range of materials. Children learn effectively through their play because the childminder uses questioning creatively to help children develop their ideas, confidence and competence in using language. She listens to what they say to find out what they know and then extends their understanding. For example, talking about and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

reinforcing the children's knowledge and understanding of colours, numbers and use of the language of shapes and patterns. The childminder puts a lot of thought into activities that are fun, are age-appropriate, offer challenge and extend children's knowledge and skills. However, this is not yet maximised for the youngest children as the childminder has not yet obtained and implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder devotes her time to them. She understands the importance of comforters and ensures they are readily available at times of potential insecurity, such as when a child wakes. Children develop a healthy respect for others and a good awareness of similarities and differences in people and the way they live. The childminder encourages this by providing books and toys that reflect the range of people around them and by allowing them to watch selected television programmes that promote a positive attitude to culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. They benefit from a clear behaviour management policy agreed by the childminder and parents. Children's good behaviour is recognised and consistently praised resulting in them playing co-operatively together. They are developing increasing independence in organising their play, supported by the childminder's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

effective arrangement of the routines, materials and equipment. Children are enabled to gain confidence to try new experiences, share and take turns. High priority is given to encouraging children to be kind and respect the feelings of others. Children's individual needs are well met by the childminder as she values good communication with parents and offers them regular feedback about their children's welfare and development.

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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 good. Children are secure and confident as the childminder has a well-organised routine. She plans her day effectively around collecting children from school and nursery, ensuring they have time to play and rest. Children benefit from the opportunity to experience a range of age-appropriate activities, both inside and outside the home. Time is made for children to participate in one-to-one support during the day when the childminder spends quality time interacting with, and talking to them. They have plenty of space and can safely explore due to well implemented policies and procedures. The childminder uses information gathered from her training, such as attending the 'Introduction to Childminding Practice', first aid and child protection, to support her good practice. The childminder is very enthusiastic about her role and

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Organisation

children benefit from her passion and commitment to providing children with positive experiences. All documentation is well organised with a high regard for confidentiality. The childminder has taken time to write clear policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the provision. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report since registration.

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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): • continue to improve the outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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 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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