Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY316856 Inspection date 18 April 2006 Inspector Melanie Calway

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 10 and 5, in King's Lynn. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. There is a small outside area, which is currently not being used for outside play. She walks with children to a local play area and takes them on trips into the town. The family have a tank of tropical fish which is kept in the living room. She is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted satisfactorily. There are sound hygiene procedures in place and the environment is clean and well maintained. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after the toilet. They are escorted to the upstairs bathroom or the kitchen. Opportunities for children to do this independently are limited and explanations to enable them to understand about good hygiene are not always given. Toys are checked regularly to ensure they are clean for children to play with. Children's medical needs are met because the childminder obtains all the information she needs, to care for them effectively. She has a current First Aid qualification and keeps a first aid kit in the kitchen so that she can deal with minor accidents and injuries appropriately. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection as there are clear written sickness procedures in place and a list of communicable diseases,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

which are shared with parents. She has a system for recording medicine and rigorous medication procedures. Parents are asked to inform her of any medicine administered at home to ensure children are protected from the risk of over-dosing. Consent for emergency treatment or advice has been obtained so that help can be sought in an emergency. Children have opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder is not currently using her outside space but takes children for walks and to a local play area when they need some fresh air. In the home children have space to move and crawl about freely. Children are able to rest and sleep when they need to, either in a buggy, with parental agreement or on the sofa in the living room. The childminder checks their routines with parents and recognises when they are tired or in need of rest. Children are well nourished and given a selection of healthy snacks, including fruit,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

rice cakes and yoghurt. Parents provide milk and drinks for toddlers which the childminder tops up as necessary. Fresh drinking water is not readily accessible to children and explanations about healthy diet are not given to enable children to learn how to keep themselves healthy. Some items of play food also undermine messages about healthy eating.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well. Children are cared for in a safe and suitable environment. The premises are made welcoming to children as there is a selection of easily accessible toys and examples of children's work are displayed in the dining room. The premises are kept secure as doors are kept locked with keys hanging nearby. Children are able to move around safely and explore their environment as

p.3

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 stair gates restrict access to the kitchen and upper floor. Children access a good range of toys which are safe and age-appropriate. The childminder ensures that she checks toys for safety when buying them and discards any broken items. The childminder maintains a good level of supervision and is vigilant to protect children from accidents. She asks her own children to move items so that the toddler can crawl around without risk. Children are beginning to learn about safety rules. Young children are distracted and gently re-directed from certain areas and explanations are given, for example" you might catch your fingers if you play with the drawers". Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder takes her mobile phone with emergency contacts in. She ensures that children are properly restrained and that

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they understand the need to hold her hand at times. Children are well protected from the risk of fire. The childminder has a written evacuation procedure which she practises with older children. She also has clear procedures for what to do in the event of an emergency, which are shared with parents. All the necessary permissions and paperwork to ensure children's safety is in place. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has up to date information on child protection procedures and is aware of her duty to report any concerns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a satisfactory range of activities. The childminder gets out a range of suitable toys for children to play with. They can also help themselves to items from a toy box which is easily accessible and to books which are arranged on a low shelf. The childminder takes them to the local park to play and on trips into town. Older children can do craft and drawing activities at the dining table. Children enjoy singing songs and nursery rhymes on the childminder's lap. The child laughs and smiles as they play 'Pat a cake' and 'Row your boat'. The childminder sits at their level and speaks quietly and kindly to children giving them re-assurance when they need it. Praise and encouragement are given to boost children's self-esteem. Children form positive relationships with each other and play happily together throughout the morning. Children under three are given appropriate care. They are able to explore

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the environment freely and choose from a range of age-appropriate toys. However opportunities for them to explore and investigate using their senses are limited as there is no play with natural or messy materials. The childminder has not yet received the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack and is therefore not using it to develop her practice for under threes.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder gets to know them. She obtains information from parents on children's routines and preferences so that she can care for them effectively. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as some resources, such as books and dolls, reflect diversity and the childminder is

p.4

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 aware of the need to continue developing her resources. Children receive appropriate support. The childminder has no experience of working with children with special needs but she is willing to accept children of any ability, if she can meet their needs and will work with parents and other agencies to ensure that children get the support they need. Children behave well while in the childminder's care. She uses positive methods of behaviour management, such as distraction and praising good behaviour. Children are given consistent boundaries so that they know what is expected of them. She has formed a set of house rules which are clear and positive and which are displayed in the dining area. However she has not developed a system for sharing her strategies with parents. Children are cared for effectively because there is a satisfactory partnership with

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

parents. The childminder has produced some clear policies and useful information about her service for parents. All parents receive a copy of the policy brochure. Most information about children's activities and routines is shared verbally but the childminder uses a diary when caring for babies. Parents are given clear information about how to make a complaint or how to contact Ofsted, if they have any concerns that can not be resolved. She has also set up a complaints log in line with recent changes in regulations.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder and members of her household have had the necessary checks to ensure that they are suitable to be in contact with children. Children are protected from unauthorised persons as the childminder always directly supervises them. The premises and schedule are well organised to enable children to enjoy their time at the setting and play safely. Children receive a good level of attention from the childminder. The attendance register is accurately maintained. Children are cared for effectively because all of the necessary documentation is in place. Paper work is kept in very good order andis easily accessible, while maintaining confidentiality. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to report significant events to Ofsted. Overall the needs of children are met.

p.5

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

p.5

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 made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • make fresh drinking water readily accessible to children and promote their understanding of how to keep healthy by giving explanations about a healthy diet and good hygiene • provide opportunities for children to explore and investigate using their senses by providing play with natural materials • develop a system for sharing with parents the methods used to manage children's behaviour.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6