Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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256408 Unique Reference Number 05 May 2006 Inspection date Pauline Margaret Todd 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 1987. She lives with her husband and 3 children in a village near to the town of Wroxham, Norfolk. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years at any one time and no overnight care is provided. Her daughter sometimes works as her assistant. She is currently minding 5 children on a regular full or part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-school groups. She attends parent and toddler groups and takes children to play at the local parks. Rabbits and chickens are kept in part of the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 cared for in clean and tidy premises. The childminder follows appropriate procedures which ensure good standards of hygiene are maintained, for example, toys and equipment are cleaned regularly. Children are encouraged to begin to take responsibility of meeting their own personal hygiene needs. Older children can take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands in the upstairs bathroom to develop independence. Young children are given assistance to ensure good hygiene practices are followed. Children's health details are clearly recorded to maintain their good health. The sickness policy gives parents sufficient detail and states 'sick children are cared for away from other children and parents are contacted to protect others from illness and infection'. The childminder has current first aid knowledge to ensure children's well-being in the event of an accident. However, consents are not in place to seek emergency

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Helping children to be healthy

medical advice or treatment for all children attending to ensure the care complies with parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's healthy growth and development are satisfactorily promoted. Parents provide them with food and drink in adequate quantities. Children eat fruit for snacks which encourage them to learn about healthy eating. All children sit down to eat together to develop good table manners and social skills. Children with food allergies and preferences have their needs met satisfactorily. Detailed information has been requested from parents, for example, 'gluten and dairy intolerances' and 'vegetarian'. Children have access to their beakers and cups at all times to make sure they drink sufficient amounts to keep them healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play outside in the garden regularly which gives them good opportunities to be active and use their energy. They use push along and ride-on toys, a slide, small trampoline and play swing ball. Babies and young children are placed in cots to sleep which promotes their well-being. Older children can fulfil their own needs with regard to rest and relaxation by using the comfortable settees and cushions as they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm, welcoming and well-organised environment. The childminder takes care to make her premises friendly and homely by displaying posters and children's art work on the walls. The rooms are prepared ready for them on arrival. The childminder makes good use of the space available in the living room and dining room to offer a wide range of play experiences and activities which promote children's development and confidence. They have direct, safe access to outside through the doors in the dining room which leads to a patio and grassed area. Children are able to move around freely and safely. The childminder has identified and minimised risks, for example, a stair gate is positioned at the bottom of the stairs. Children receive adequate supervision and the premises and garden are secure.

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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 have access to a wide range of appropriate resources. The toys and play equipment are in good repair and conform to safety standards. Many items are made of wood. Children can reach their toys and play equipment easily from well-organised containers which are stored at child-level to encourage self-selection and independence. Sufficient equipment is available to meet the varying needs of all children, for example, feeding chair, changing unit and buggy. The children can sit comfortably to eat, play and join in activities together at child-sized tables and chairs indoors and low benches in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. The required child protection documentation is available. The childminder has attended recent training to make sure her knowledge is up-to-date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder’s house and spend their time playing purposefully. The childminder provides them with a wide range of learning and play opportunities which develop their emotional, intellectual, social and creative skills. They enjoy playing with the 'small world' toys such as the train, cars and garage which develop use of their imagination. Young children enjoy building houses and towers from wooden blocks and laugh as they knock them down. They are able to explore their environment. They play freely and make choices, for example, to use the puzzles, mosaics and games in the dining room. Role play equipment such as a cooker with kitchen equipment and dressing-up clothes are freely available which help children to express their feelings. The childminder reads stories to the children throughout the day which helps to create habits of listening and concentrating. A selection of good quality books is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

available. Children handle items of different textures to promote the use of their senses, for example, blocks, play dough and sand. They undertake a range of craft activities and construction which improves their creativity. Children attend parent and toddler groups to help develop their social skills. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework for reference when planning activities which helps her to be aware of the development needs of young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a relaxed, caring and stimulating environment for the children. She is developing a close relationship with them and positions herself on the floor in the living room so children can return to her at intervals. She maintains good eye contact with them and uses friendly language to help raise their self-esteem. Children take the lead and the childminder responds well to their interests, for example, by building towers, looking at books, playing outside. She is able to pick up on the needs of very young children, for example, that they need a nappy change, a drink, or a cuddle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about diversity by using toys and play equipment that reflect a variety of cultural backgrounds. Children have adequate opportunities to learn about their immediate

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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 community by visiting the shops, schools, museums and woods. The childminder knows the children well but limited information is recorded about their specific needs, likes, dislikes and routines to enable appropriate care to be given. She is aware some children have special needs and makes sure adequate steps are taken to promote their welfare and development, for example, by giving them extra support to help them learn to share the toys and play equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn right from wrong and the childminder encourages good behaviour by acting as a positive role model. House rules are established to ensure consistency, for example, sitting to eat, sharing toys and being nice to one another. Books and stories are also used to encourage good social skills and the children to be caring and helpful. The childminder shares a detailed policy with parents regarding the management of children's behaviour to promote consistency.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships that have developed between the childminder and their parents. There is a useful verbal exchange of information daily to promote children's well-being and development, for example, the sleeping and eating routines for young children. Notes are also made on the attendance sheet to pass on information to parents about how the children have spent their time. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes. A basic agreement form is completed for all children attending, registration forms give sufficient details of children and emergency contact numbers and those with permission to collect the children are obtained. The childminder provides parents with helpful written policies and procedures which keep them informed about her childcare practices and routines. Worthwhile settling in procedures are available which cover visits beforehand to ensure both child and parents are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

happy about separation before the child is left.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There have been no changes to the childminder's circumstances and she remains suitable to look after children. She improves and develops her skills by undertaking childminding training, for example, food hygiene, observation of children and health and safety. She keeps herself up-to-date with childcare practices by reading magazines and newsletters. The children are well cared for and supported during their time with her because she organises her space and resources carefully. She sets up her rooms to be child-centred with appropriately sized furniture and a range of toys and play equipment. Children are confident to move from room to room and indoors to outside to select toys to play with. The childminder makes good use of her time to be able to play with the children and take them out.

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Organisation

Appropriate records are kept to ensure the childminder carries out her work efficiently. Individual files are available which promotes the welfare and care of all children attending. These are stored confidentially in the office. The childminding information is kept together in labelled box files stored on the windowsill of the living room for easy access. The register is accurate and up-to-date and shows when children are present on the premises to keep them safe and ensure ratios are maintained. The childminder has produced detailed policies and procedures which support her practice.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the range of children attending are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for the children and record their actual times of arrival and departure. A satisfactory system is now in place to record children's attendance accurately to keep them safe. Permission is not in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children attending to ensure the care complies with parents' wishes.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children attending • record further information about children's individual needs and preferences.

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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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