Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 251374 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Glenda Kathleen Field

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 10 in the town of Beccles, Suffolk. Areas of the home used for childminding are the lounge, conservatory, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet. The master bedroom is available for children to have undisturbed sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children, all 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 The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, attends local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local library and park. The family has 2 dogs and 4 hamsters as pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted. They are learning how to manage their personal hygiene effectively. For example, older children understand they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating to keep themselves well. The childminder has good procedures in place to gather information from parents about children's medical needs so she may respond to accidents or care appropriately for children who may become unwell. Children understand the benefits of drinking regularly and are enabled to do so as their drinks are readily available. They know that certain foods are good for them, for example, by being able to explain that the apple and grapes they enjoy at lunch time will help to make them strong. The childminder provides a range of meals that are attractive to the children and meets their dietary requirements. Babies are supported appropriately as they begin to find out how to feed themselves.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunity to rest comfortably. For example, young children are encouraged to rest according to their normal routine and a travel cot is available in the master bedroom for undisturbed sleep. Older children sometimes relax or rest in front of the television on comfortable furniture. Children enjoy many opportunities to be active and develop their physical skills. They regularly run about and play in the park, use a wide range of sit and ride toys at the parent and toddler groups and enjoy the garden toys when the weather is fine. They continue to be active in the home, moving about with confidence in the setting.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are comfortable in a family home where they can relax and have appropriate space to play. They use the dining room for table top activities, the lounge and conservatory offer good facilities for all other play and to sit quietly to watch television, share a story or have a rest. During better weather, the enclosed rear garden provides an interesting area for them to play in the fresh air. A good range of well-organised resources is available for children to make safe choices and help to organise their own play. The childminder monitors toys and equipment to ensure they are suitable, safe and appropriate to the children's stage of development. She is keen to help children learn about keeping safe. For example, they understand that they need to tidy up to prevent them tripping over toys and

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 hurting themselves. The childminder has taken precautions to minimise hazards in the home, for example, ensuring that all low level glazing is safe and that there are no trailing leads or flexes. However, some household cleaning items are accessible to children, this could be detrimental to their safety. The childminder understands her duty to protect children and seek advice or refer concerns. She is fully familiar with current child protection procedures which ensures she can respond promptly to situations that may arise.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are becoming confident, independent and developing self-esteem as they are happy and settled. They chatter happily to each other and to the childminder who is keen to support them but give them independence to make their own choices. Toys are found from floor based containers, low level shelving and tables as the children organise their own play effectively. Children enjoy meeting up with friends at the local parent and toddler groups where they take part in a wide range of indoor physical activities, craft and imaginative play. Trips to school and pre-school, with older children, help younger ones become confident with the premises and staff, ready for when they move into education. All children have their individual needs met through the daily routine. Children are developing a wide range of knowledge and skills because the childminder provides activities and play opportunities that help them to achieve. The childminder has

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

received 'Birth to three matters' and has started to use this to inform her practice. She naturally takes children's interests as starting points and supports and encourages them appropriately to help them make good progress in all areas of their development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal concern as the childminder knows them well and supports them as individuals according to their particular stage of development. They are developing an understanding of valuing and respecting differences as the childminder introduces them to different people in their local community, and to the wider society by using good resources reflecting positive images. The written behaviour management policy is understood and implemented by the childminder and parents. There are positive strategies to manage children's behaviour appropriately, with the childminder being quick to intervene to redirect children, along with good explanations to help them understand why the behaviour is unacceptable. Children's needs are being well met because the childminder works closely with parents and carers to enable all children to achieve. Parents awareness of the

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 childminder's practice is enhanced by the comprehensive written policies and procedures of the setting made available to them. There is a flexible settling in procedure, and the childminder consults parents and carers to find out about the children. Parents and carers are informed through the childminders complaints procedure how they can express concerns and view the complaint log.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for and fully supported by the childminder who has lots of experience in caring for young children. They benefit from the very effective organisation of time, space and resources which help them to make good progress. Established routines and affectionate, caring support ensures children are comfortable and settled. Children's well-being is effectively promoted by the maintained and organised records and policies, all of which are shared with parents to ensure continuity of care. The childminder is pro-active in ensuring that her practice contributes positively to children's good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to take an active part in the full range of activities. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain information regarding the local Area Child Protection Committee and increase resources that reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity. The childminder has obtained the literature available from the Area Child Protection Committee and developed resources to increase children's awareness of culture and ethnicity.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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.5

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 that household cleaning items are not accessible to children.

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