Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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251238 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2006 Inspection date Deborah Kerry 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 1995. She childminder lives with her family in a house within walking distance of all of the local facilities in Hadleigh. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities and there is a fully enclosed rear 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. She is currently minding 15 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and regularly attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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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 protected from the spread of infection as the childminder has effective procedures in place with regard to sick children, that are shared with parents. The childminder has clear, written emergency procedures to follow in the event of an accident or illness that effectively promotes children's health. Children's physical health is promoted well as the childminder walks to take and collect children from school each day. Children are taken to the local park, they also access the garden to run and play, helping to develop their physical skills well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is further promoted as the childminder ensures that toys and resources are cleaned, especially any baby toys, so they are hygienic. Children are developing an appropriate understanding of personal hygiene through the daily routine, as they know to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after playing outside with the sand. The childminder has good hygiene practices in place around nappy changing and potty training that effectively promotes the good health of minded children and minimises the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that information from parents about any allergies children may have is recorded and ensures their individual needs are effectively promoted, by keeping any special food required separate and ensuring it is stored appropriately. Children are provided with a range of fruit and drinks at snack-time that helps to develop their understanding of healthy eating well.

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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 warm and welcoming, child orientated environment. Children can self select resources from the range of toys and equipment provided that are stored in the utility, where they can access them independently. The equipment and toys provided are suitable for the children's age and stage of development that are present. The childminder regularly checks for any broken parts and cleans them, effectively promoting children's health and safety. Children have access to a large secure, enclosed garden for physical play, they can access the large trampoline that is enclosed with a safety net and with their parents permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed a written risk assessment of her property due to moving house and has put in appropriate place measures to protect children from dangers and keep the home secure. However, there is no smoke alarm on the ground floor, this potentially compromises children's safety. The childminder has excellent practice in relation to fire evacuation procedures, that are practised with the children. These have been undertaken in the new home and will also be practised at the start of the summer holidays when new children attend, ensuring all children have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder is vigilant and ensures the children are supervised at all times, she promotes an awareness of road safety with the children when out walking, this also helps to keep children safe.

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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's welfare is further safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and what to do if she has concerns for children. She has a written statement and a policy on child protection in place that are shared with parents and also the contact details to ensure children's welfare is given priority should she have concerns for minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care, they are involved and enjoy making different shapes with play dough and drawing. She makes suggestions on activities and children can choose what they wish to do effectively promoting their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their confidence and independence as the childminder gives them praise and encouragement for their efforts. They have access to a wide variety of activities that meet their individual needs well. For example, they dig and build with sand, jump on the large trampoline outside in the garden, closely supervised by the childminder. The childminder completes daily diaries on their progress for children under two years old that are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to learn about the daily routine as they know that they need to get ready to collect children from nursery. Children are valued and respected as individuals, their needs are being met effectively as the childminder gathers information from parents about their child's daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are building positive relationships and developing their self-esteem, as the childminder interacts well with them. Children are listened to as the childminder chats freely with them and asks them questions. She makes suggestions on activities that she knows they like, that helps to promote their development well. The windmill that children have made in their craft work is praised and valued by the childminder, effectively promoting their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to experience the wider world through regular outings within the local community. Children's understanding of similarities and differences are promoted by a range of positive images of a multicultural society in the toys provided. The childminder includes children of all ages and abilities to ensure they feel welcome. The childminder gives children clear explanations on behaviour management that are also discussed with parents and the children are encouraged to share and to take turns when playing together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has developed good relationships with parents. They benefit from clear, ongoing communication between the childminder and their parents as she writes daily diaries on what the children have been doing whilst in her care for younger children. The parents of older children are given time by the childminder at the end of each day to discuss their child. She ensures information on home routines are adhered to, effectively meeting children's individual needs.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder keeps all her paperwork well organised and all the necessary documentation is discussed with parents when minding starts, keeping them thoroughly informed of her practice. Children's records are in excellent order and all up-to-date. Children’s individual needs are met effectively through the keeping of clear, accurate records. For example, by recording children's arrival and departure times in a diary each day.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for and fully supported by the childminder as she makes effective use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to move around safely and access equipment for their development easily. She organises her home and toys to ensure children have free access to age appropriate resources that meets their individual needs.

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Organisation

Children have continuing support from the childminder to feel secure and confident. The childminder ensures she promotes their well-being and development as the children are supervised at all times, especially when on outings, in the garden and when using the large equipment.

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Organisation

Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue her good practice and attend any relevant training opportunities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She is due to attend training to renew her first aid certificate and has also completed a written risk assessment on all areas of the house after moving to a new home, these both ensure that children's health and welfare are promoted effectively and enhance her existing practice.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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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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 that smoke alarms that conform to BS EN safety standards are provided on every level of the house and are maintained in working order.

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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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