Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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256711 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Susan Cox 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 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 1998. She lives with her husband and children aged 14, 13 and 10 in a suburb of Norwich. The whole of the house is registered for childminding with the exception of the main bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, aged over six, at various times before and after school and during the school holidays. She also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder walks to a range of local facilities and also uses a car to transport children. The family has two dogs and a bird.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special needs

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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’s health is promoted as they are cared for in premises that are clean with good standards of hygiene. They are learning how to manage their personal hygiene effectively with younger ones receiving appropriate support. Children understand the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet, before meals and after playing with the animals. Information gathered from parents enables the childminder to respond appropriately to children’s medical needs. If they become unwell they are made comfortable and their parents are consulted to agree any action that is needed. The childminder realises the importance of maintaining up to date first aid training to enable her to respond appropriately to accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks to meet their dietary requirements. Fresh fruit and vegetables are regularly served and parents are consulted about meals that are required. During holidays older children help with the preparation of a packed lunch giving them opportunity to chat about what is healthy and increase their understanding. Children have a drink as they wish as the importance of drinking frequently is understood.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are often active. They frequently use the rear garden to run and play games with football, always popular as several support the local team. Walking to a range of local facilities helps keep them fit and taking the dog for a walk adds interest. Visiting the parks enables them to test their skills on climbing equipment and during the holidays there are age-appropriate opportunities to use the dry ski slope or climb trees with parental consent. This helps them learn how their bodies work and develop a range of physical skills to maintain good health. When they are tired they may rest or relax on comfortable furniture in the lounge.

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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 family home. They confidently use the living room, dining area and garden to organise their play and understand that they only go upstairs to the bedrooms if invited by the family so they are respecting appropriate boundaries. Should younger children be minded a bedroom would be made available with a travel cot and baby monitor for them to rest comfortably. Easy access to a range of appropriate resources enables children to make their own choices and they know they are expected to tidy up after their play. Road safety is practised as they go out with the childminder and regular consideration of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency is helping them learn valuable skills for future independence. The childminder has taken much relevant action to minimise risks in her home and garden. Although the garden is fenced, new fencing is about to be installed and she will then review

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the safety of the garden gate. As children under the age of five are not being minded, there is nothing to prevent children going upstairs. During the inspection some bedroom windows were open within reach of children, but none went upstairs. The windows are usually locked but this oversight poses a potential risk. The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs of abuse and her duty to report concerns so children are protected. However, she does not have the information readily to hand to make a prompt referral if required.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and well settled. They have been attending for quite some time and are very familiar with the routines and what is available for them. Good friendships have been made and they chatter freely about their day and life in general as they settle for a snack after school and share meals enjoying this social time. Most like some quiet time before engaging in active play with drawing and word games being popular at the table so all can join in. Playing in the garden is a favourite activity and as it is hot they request ice lollies then sit to enjoy them in the shade. The childminder is keen to support them but is also aware of the benefits of giving them freedom to organise their own time after the routine of the school day. With this in mind she keeps an eye on what they are doing but gives independence appropriate to their stage of development. During the holidays the childminder plans a range of activities to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

give a balance to each day and ensure there is plenty to entertain all ages. Children particularly enjoy going bowling, to the cinema and attending a local community group with a range of craft and physical activities that are assessed to be appropriate to various stages of development. The childminder is mindful of safety with these activities and seeks parental approval before the children attend with her. Children’s behaviour is good. They are lively but respectful and work together sharing and taking turns. They are helped to manage their own behaviour successfully by the childminder who gives appropriate reminders as needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although not caring for children under five at present the childminder has a good understanding of meeting their needs. She has the ‘Birth to three matters’ pack and would use this if working with the younger group to support their care and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children receive a warm welcome as the childminder knows them well and treats them all with equal respect. Although she has not been approached to care for children from a variety of cultures or with English as an additional language she displays a sound understanding of how she would meet particular needs in partnership with the children’s parents. Children in her care are learning about the wider world and to value similarities and differences through a range of resources and planned activities at the local group they attend with her. For example, they celebrated Chinese New Year, including eating Chinese food, and met a traditional African dancer. Children with special needs are fully included in activities which are sensitively adapted to enable them to join in with their friends and develop self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children work well together showing consideration and behaving well. This is supported by the childminder who presents as a positive role model and is calm and consistent in her expectations. Children understand the house rules and routines and generally respect these. If they are not followed a clear explanation is given that is age-appropriate and time out is used sensitively for children to reflect on their behaviour. Consequently children are supported appropriately with behaviour management. There is a sound partnership with parents which includes a flexible settling-in procedure to enable the children to settle happily and parents to be reassured about the care they will receive. Most children have been attending for some time and parents express

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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 their pleasure with the care that is received. A system is being established to respond appropriately to any complaints that may be received in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s safety is promoted as relevant checks have been carried out on the childminder and her husband and she ensures they do not have unsupervised contact with persons who have not been vetted. Children are happy and settled; they use the premises with confidence and are making secure relationships. The childminder has completed the relevant training to be a childminder and has taken a course in play work to extend her understanding of working with older children. All parents are shown her certificate of registration and it is readily available in the front of her file, but it is not prominently displayed as required. Records to maintain children’s health and welfare are held and the childminder is reviewing her systems to make them easier to use. Overall the needs of all the children attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made regarding the signing of accident and medicine records by parents, seeking parental consent for emergency medical treatment and meeting any recommendations of the fire officer regarding overnight care. Parental consent is now held on each child's file to enable the childminder to respond appropriately in an emergency. A system is in place to record accidents and the administration of medicines which is shared with parents so they are fully informed to meet the needs of their children. The childminder no longer wishes to be registered to provide overnight care so the recommendation relating to the Fire Officer does not apply.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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Complaints 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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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):

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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 • make sure the registration certificate is prominently displayed for all to see on entry to the premises • review child protection procedures to ensure the information is readily available if needed • review the safety of children using the upstairs rooms.

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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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