Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY309458 Inspection date 20 February 2006 Inspector Lynda Jean Bullock

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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 July 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children, both over 8 years old, in Colchester, Suffolk. The whole ground floor 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 under 5 years old, all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from the spread of illness and infection as the childminder has a clear understanding about the exclusion of children who may be ill, which is shared with parents. The childminder takes proactive measures if they become ill while in her care by contacting parents so that they can be collected. Children are cared for in an environment which is clean and hygienic. The good health of children is actively promoted by the beneficial hygiene practices in place, with the childminder ensuring all the surfaces in her home are cleaned daily, she washing her own hands prior to handling food and toys are washed regularly. Young children are beginning to have some understanding about personal hygiene through their daily routine. However, this is not always consistent, for example they are reminded to put their hands in front of their mouths when they cough but are not

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Helping children to be healthy

encouraged to wash their hands before they eat their snack. This may place children's health at risk. Older children are encouraged to understand the importance of washing their hands before having or preparing meals and after visiting the toilet to help maintain their good health. Children's healthy growth and development is promoted by the childminder as she gathers information from parents about any dietary needs they have. They are provided with a wide variety of nutritious food and drinks which are essential for their good health. Children are beginning to learn about foods which are important for their growth while they help to peel the fruit for snack. Children's physical health is promoted as the childminder ensures they have daily access to the park and walks around the local community which helps to develop strong muscles and bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and generally safe home environment with the childminder ensuring that children are protected from most hazards such as cleaning materials and medicines, however their safety is at risk from some hazards such as very hot radiators. Children are safe when on outings as they are closely supervised and young children are securely strapped into buggies. Older children are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe as they talk and practise road safety when out walking with the childminder. Children have some opportunities to select activities from the safe toys and resources provided which are presented at low level. Their safety is protected through the available well maintained furniture and equipment which are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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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 Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practise when necessary to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are building positive relationships and developing their self-esteem as the childminder is kind and affectionate to them. When young children get tired she gives them a cuddle giving them warm physical contact. Children are beginning to develop their confidence as the childminder gives them praise and encouragement. They make some choices about what they want to do as the childminder provides some toys and activities within their reach which is beginning to develop their independence. Children are generally enjoying their play. However young children's play is not sufficiently supported by a wide range of appropriate, stimulating toys and activities to allow them to develop fully in most areas of learning. Their language is developing as the childminder is talking and listening to them as they play together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are beginning to learn about right and wrong through following the good examples of the childminder. They are learning to share and take turns. Young children's efforts to share are valued by the childminder as she gives positive praise and encouragement. Older children are encouraged to be kind and considerate to others. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are well cared for by the childminder who invests time getting to know their likes, dislikes and backgrounds. Their individual needs are met as the childminder gathers information from the parents about their daily routine, such as following their sleeping and eating patterns from home. Children have some opportunities to experience the wider world through outings in the local community and from the toys available to play with such as books and dolls. Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has a good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationship with parents, which helps children feel secure. They benefit from the continuing methods of ongoing communication between the childminder and their parents. For example, the childminder gives daily feedback and gathers information from parents about their child, ensuring this is kept up to date and confidential.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for and supported by the childminder as she makes appropriate use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to access some toys and equipment which the childminder gets ready for their arrival each day. She organises her home to ensure children can move around easily and that all the necessary facilities are available, for example children are able to rest and sleep in comfort and have use of a play room. Children are keep safe by the childminder's organised records. She has an understanding of the importance of keeping her paperwork in good order and up to date, however she needs to keep an accurate record of children's arrival and departure in her register and obtain first aid training. Children have continuing support from the childminder to feel secure and confident as she ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained. Children are

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Organisation

safe and protected from any adult who has not been vetted. The childminder ensures she supervises children closely when on outings and that all adults living in the household have been vetted. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • protect children from hazards such as hot radiators and loose wires • encourage children to learn good hygiene practices through daily routines such as washing hands before eating • obtain first aid training and keep an accurate register of children's attendence • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children as explained in 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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