Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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250809 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2006 Inspection date Lynda Jean Bullock Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult children in a rural village on the outskirts of Stowmarket in Suffolk. The local primary school and playing fields are within walking distance to the house. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and who have English as an additional language. 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 good. Children are well protected from the spread of illness and infection as the childminder has a clear policy 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 effectively 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 and toys are washed regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about personal hygiene through their daily routine. Young children's awareness of good hygiene is raised when the childminder talks to them about it, such as when changing nappies telling them about washing her hands. She encourages them to understand the importance of washing their hands before having or preparing meals and after visiting the toilet to help maintain their good health. For example, there is a poster on the bathroom wall which uses both words and pictures to remind children to wash their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

A first aid kit is readily accessible and the childminder has completed a first aid course which ensures she can deal with accidents appropriately. Both accident and medical records are well maintained. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment if children should have an accident that requires medical attention, thereby compromising their wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's healthy growth and development is effectively promoted by the childminder as she gathers information from parents about any dietary needs they have. Children are beginning to learn about foods which are important for their growth while they help in cooking activities and when talking to the childminder about which foods are good for them. All food brought from home is stored safely and hygienically.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is well promoted as the childminder ensures they have daily access to the garden, park and walks around the local community which helps to develop strong muscles and bodies. Children enjoy taking part in lots of music and movement activities, they shout and laugh with pleasure when repeatedly running down the slope in the garden.

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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 welcoming and generally safe home environment with the childminder ensuring that children are protected from most hazards such as cleaning materials and medicines. However, they can access unprotected low level glass in the greenhouse which places their safety at risk when playing outside in the garden. 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.

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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 independently select activities from the good range of safe toys and resources provided which are presented at low level. Their safety is protected through the 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

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has completed a child protection course and has a detailed policy in place available to parents. She 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 good. Children are very 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. Older children are kind and caring to younger children, for example, helping to name the colours of the cotton reels and giving praise to the younger child when they get it right. Children are developing their confidence as the childminder is giving them lots of praise and encouragement. They feel valued as their efforts and creations are displayed and acknowledged. All children have access to a wide variety of play and learning activities both inside and outside. They make choices about what they want to do as the childminder provides toys and activities within their reach which helps to develop their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engrossed and enjoy their play. Their creativity and imagination is developing through a range of activities such as role play, drawing and from taking part in fun music and movement activities such as pretending to be jungle animals. Their language is developing as the childminder spends lots of time talking and listening to them extending their vocabulary. Children's mathematical skills and understanding are developing effectively through activities such as counting when threading cotton reels and using an abacus. They have a clear understanding of addition and subtraction. Younger children are provided with a good range of activities as the childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework, for example, she has developed a treasure basket with a range of everyday objects for children to explore.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is very good. 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 lots of positive praise and encouragement. Older children are encouraged to be kind and considerate to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 well met as the childminder gathers information from the parents about their daily routine, such as following their eating patterns from home. Children with learning difficulties and English as an additional language are well-supported and the childminder has a good understanding

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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 of the range of needs children may have. 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 craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has an excellent relationship with parents, which helps children feel secure. They benefit from the good 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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for and supported by the childminder as she makes good use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to access toys and equipment which the childminder gets ready for their arrival each day. She organises her home and toys to ensure children have free access and that all the necessary facilities are available. Children benefit from the childminders commitment to developing her understanding of childcare issues and the activities she provides as she continues to attend training workshops such as using puppets in play.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe by the childminder's effectively organised records. She has a clear understanding of the importance of keeping her paperwork in good order and up to date. For example the childminder records children's arrival and departure in her register and ensures they are only released to individuals named by the parents.

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Organisation

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 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.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made children safer in her home by fitting a security devise to the back door of her home to prevent them from leaving the premises unsupervised. Children's cultural needs are met as the childminder has updated her paperwork to ensure they are recorded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints reported to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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): • ensure children can play safely outside and are protected from the greenhouse • obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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