Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303688 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Samantha 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 has been registered since February 2005. She lives with her husband and daughter aged one year. They live in Hutton in Brentwood. The whole of the ground floor is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time and she is currently minding one under one year on a part time basis. 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 satisfactory. Children are learning the importance of good hygiene through the daily routines the childminder has in place. They know for example, that they should wash their hands before eating and after playing in the garden. The childminder has procedures to help prevent the spread of infection. She has a sickness policy in place that she shares with the parents. The childminder encourages children to make healthy choices through the food she offers which consist of fruit and yoghurt for snack and sandwiches for lunch. Meal times are sociable; children sit at the table with the childminder. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy as they visit parent and toddler groups and enjoy playing on large equipment when the visit the park. The childminder has not managed to gain a copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her provision of children under three.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is bright and welcoming and the children play in a designated play room which enables the children to feel happy and settled within the environment. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's home. She provides for a generally safe environment where potential hazards have been identified and minimised. She has stair gates in place, restrictors on all low level cupboards and door stoppers to prevent children from squeezing their fingers. The play room is well organised and spacious, allowing children to move around safely and freely. Toys are stored safely and effective enabling children to self-select what they want to play with. Children are kept safe in their play as the childminder reinforces safe practices, for example she ensures that all toys are in good working order before she sets them out and she checks them again when tidying up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When on outings the childminder ensures that she reinforces safety procedures; children are taught road awareness and are given name tag's to wear on their wrist. Younger children are kept safe in a buggy or they use reins to keep them close to the childminder. Children are well protected from harm as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place and she is confident in her ability to follow current guidelines.

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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 The childminder has made her home a fun place to be and children experience a real sense of belonging. They have access to a well resourced play room full of toys and resources that are fun and provide challenge. They are confident and easily engaged as they participate in a broad range of activities that they find interesting and enjoyable. They are supported appropriately by the childminder. A good balance of adult and child initiated games help children to make progress in most areas of learning. Children learn to become independent and gain self-esteem through making choices in a positive environment. They learn through the wide variety of experiences the childminder offers, for example using play dough and clay, cooking and dressing up. Children relate well with one and other and they socialise with other children through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

regular attendance at toddler groups. They are beginning to develop early social skill as they participate in singing and story time at the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have opportunities to mix with a diverse group of people through the regular groups they attend. Children learn about themselves and the wider community as they freely access resources that promote positive images and diversity. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to caring for children who have additional needs. Children show care and concern for each other. They play and co-operate well because the childminder praises them and has set clear boundaries. They know that good behaviour receives praise and reward and that negative behave results in time out. Children are responsive to the childminder because she rewards their achievements. The welfare of the children is promoted through the relationship the childminder has established with parents. She takes into account their wishes and takes time to share information regarding their child's well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safe in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures that all persons with access to the children have been vetted. She has demonstrated her commitment to providing good care for children through her recent completion of an Introduction to Childminding and first aid course. Children are well settled in the childminder's home. They are secure, confident and happy. The premises is organised well to support their play and enable them to develop independence. Children are supervised appropriately at all times by the childminder.

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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 Most required documentation is in place, although there is no permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and the register is not used to record children's arrival and departure times. Overall the provision meet the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three' matters framework • improve record keeping by recording actual times of attendance for children and obtain written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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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