Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 202264 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Sharon Woodrow

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 3 children, aged 5, 9 and 14 years in Church Langley in Harlow. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children full-time, 2 children under 8 part-time and 1 child over eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group, activity centres and takes children to the local park. The family has a dog and a rabbit.

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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 good. Children learn about healthy living through being offered healthy snacks, such as fruit. Children are given foods which keep them healthy and the childminder discusses children’s dietary needs with parents. Children enjoy home cooked meals if required, promoting their nutritional growth and development. Children have daily opportunities to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise. They have access to a fully enclosed garden enabling them to run and play in the fresh air. In addition, they often visit parks after school, are taken to activity centres and walk to the shops. Children who need to rest during the day can lay on the sofa in the lounge or in their pram in the hall, within hearing distance of the childminder and where they can be checked frequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is a high priority and the childminder has a proactive approach towards identifying and protecting children against any potential hazards. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe indoor and outdoor environment. Children play and learn in safety and comfort because the childminder has safety features such as socket covers and cupboard locks in place and a good range of child height furniture. Children have access to an excellent range of suitable and safe equipment. They learn to be responsible for their safe environment, children tidy and keep their play space safe and the childminder checks the play materials regularly. Children learn about their own personal safety whilst out and about on school runs or trips and through the childminder discussing potential dangers with them, thus reducing the risk of accidents. Children are given clear explanations about safety issues such as the dangers of hot

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

water which helps them to develop a sense of respect for any hazards. Children remain protected as the childminder has had additional professional training so has an extensive understanding of child protection procedures which she shares with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and content in the childminder’s home. They are provided with a good range of resources and the childminder supports and extends their play. Children practice their communication skills as the childminder takes time to ask

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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 questions and talk with the children developing and extending their early language skills. They enjoy play experiences, such as building blocks and towers, learning to balance and co-ordinate their manipulative skills. Children also have opportunities to practice drawing enabling them to develop pencil control. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem through being encouraged to make decisions about their play and taking responsibility for tasks, such as tidying up. Children feel valued as individuals as the childminder speaks warmly of their achievements to them and she gives them consistent praise and affection. The children develop very good relationships with each other and the childminder. When the children talk to her she listens attentively and she develops their language skills

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

by asking open-ended questions. Children regularly enjoy activities outside the home. They visit the local parks and play centres, such as 'Kids Korner and Mamma Bella's' where they can play together and develop their physical skills. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are encouraged to acquire new skills. They often use numbers in their play and enjoy looking at books with the childminder, extending their knowledge and experiences. Children under 3-years-old are able to take part in a wide range of suitable activities that encourage them to make progress in all areas and build on what they already know. Children’s well-being is supported through the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of child development through her many years of caring for children. Although she is aware of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework she has not received the training pack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain an understanding of people from other cultures and with differing needs using resources such as dressing up, dolls and books. Children are cared for according to their individual needs and with equal concern. The childminder has experience of looking after children with special needs. Children’s development and well-being is promoted by the childminder through consistent good behaviour management, rules and boundaries, alongside positive praise and reinforcement. All children are included as the childminder works in partnership with parents. Children’s behaviour is good, they openly say thank you and use good manners. They play harmoniously together and are encouraged to share and say sorry. Children’s behaviour and their individual ages and stages of development are managed well by the childminder because she has excellent strategies to promote good behaviour. Children are helped to understand right and wrong and they develop self-esteem and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respect for others. Children’s behaviour is supported through clearly defined boundaries and a consistent approach used by the childminder which has a positive effect on them.

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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 benefit from the close partnership the childminder establishes with parents to meet their individual needs and ensure they are included fully in the life of the setting. She respects parents' wishes and works with them to be consistent in such issues as behaviour management. Children’s individual needs are met through the childminder providing parents with either a daily written record or verbal feedback about their child’s day enabling them to feel fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s well-being is supported through the childminder’s broad knowledge and understanding of child development. Children are able to play, rest and eat in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The childminder’s organisation of both space and resources enables the children to move around freely and independently, choosing from the toys available. The care of the children over eight years does not adversely affect the care of the children under eight due to the childminder’s careful management of their time with her. For example the older children are organised by the childminder to complete homework while the younger children have free play whilst being supported by the childminder. All required written agreements and documentation are in place and information regarding the children is stored securely and confidentially. Parents are kept well informed of the care provided for their children. Children’s well-being is supported

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Organisation

through the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of child development through her Introduction to Childminding Practice training and many years of caring for children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed at the last inspection in August 2005 an action to make sure she did not exceed caring for more than 2 children under 5 until she received a new certificate, which she abided to.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since April 2004.

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

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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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