Biggs Claire Annette

Inspection report for early years provision

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222781 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2006 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 1998. She lives with her two children aged seven and ten in a Fenland town. 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group and takes children to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where they begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their meals. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 follows clear hygiene routines to protect and promote children's health. For example, ensuring toys are kept clean and implementing appropriate nappy changing procedures. The safety of children is supported as the childminder holds an appropriate first aid certificate and ensures any medical requirements of children are recorded appropriately in order that she can offer appropriate care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Activities are provided daily which promote children's physical skills. They develop control of their bodies as they use outdoor equipment in the garden and the local park and have lots of opportunities to be in the fresh air as they walk to and from school, the library and the childminder support group. All children rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the healthy meals and snacks which are provided by the childminder or the children’s parents. The childminder liaises closely with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met. Drinks are offered throughout the day to ensure they are well hydrated.

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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 safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures all safety equipment is in place, such as the use of socket covers and cupboard locks, which minimises risks to the children. As a result, children have room to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder carries out an informal risk assessment of her home, toys and equipment to help keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Furniture, equipment and toys are of good quality and are well maintained promoting children's development and welfare. The children are able to easily access appropriate toys, which encourages them to make choices and develop their independence. There is a clear emergency evacuation procedure in place, which is practised to help children develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection. She is sufficiently confident to put appropriate procedures into practice if she is concerned about the welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and are confident in the childminder's home. She makes it welcoming for them by providing developmentally appropriate activities and resources which are easily accessible. Children take part in interesting activities that they enjoy, and which help them to make progress. For example, they have opportunities for art and craft play where they paint, stick and create; sometimes making ‘craft presents’ for their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures the children receive a balanced day. Children have opportunities to play indoors and outside, and take part in many outings such as to the local shops, to the library and to the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 very good relationships with the childminder; they are warm and affectionate together and enjoy each other's company. Children's language and thinking is developed and extended well through the childminder's use of open ended questioning and by giving children choices. Consistent support and meaningful praise and encouragement helps children to develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder is familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is beginning to weave this into the care offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing an awareness of the local community and surrounding areas as they visit the library, the park or go on outings to places of interest such as Snettisham Farm. The childminder is helping children to develop a positive view of the wider world and to respect and value differences in each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to consistent, positive behaviour management by the childminder. The childminder promotes good behaviour by acknowledging what children say and do with positive praise and encouragement, which makes them feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder exchanges information with parents daily, in order to meet the individual needs of the children. Trusting partnerships have been established with parents to help promote children's well-being, development and progress. The childminder actively seeks information prior to a placement commencing regarding the children’s needs and a written agreement is in place to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder does not have a secure understanding of the new procedures to be followed if a complaint is received. She does not have the latest addendum to the National Standards, which relate to this issue, to refer to.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training and the development of her knowledge and skills. She is able to use this knowledge to plan and provide a varied range of learning experiences for the children.

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Organisation

The children are well settled and made to feel welcome in the childminder's care, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder makes good use of the space available allowing children the freedom to move around independently and safely. She works within her registered numbers at all times to ensure all children receive a balance of her time and attention resulting in children receiving appropriate support and their needs being met effectively.

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Organisation

Documentation is in place and used to underpin and support her practice. Records are shared with parents and regularly updated to ensure she can offer appropriate care.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of all of the children cared for.

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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 quality and standards of care was judged as 'inadequate’. The childminder agreed to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children, to include written information for specific children if appropriate and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. All of this documentation is now in place and used to underpin the care offered to the children. The childminder further agreed to ensure that the condition of registration with regards to the numbers of children being minded is adhered to at all times. The childminder states that this is now always the case. A new certificate has been issued increasing the number of children that may be looked after, which ensures that the children are cared for with the remit of her registration.

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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 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, and refer to, the addendum to the under eights day care and childminding National Standards October 05.

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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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