Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320626 Inspection date 21 June 2006 Inspector Kerryn Matthews

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and six years in Hayes in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding along with a bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five part time and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat and

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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 two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic home. Their general health is promoted through the childminder maintaining good levels of hygiene for example, encouraging children to wash their hands before eating and by having an effective nappy changing routine. The childminder ensures that her kitchen area is clean and hygienic, thus promoting the welfare of the children when preparing meals and snacks. Children enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks which the childminder provides for the children in her care. Parents are able to provide their child's meals if they wish, this is generally the case for younger children and babies. The children sit comfortably at the table or in a high chair to eat, alongside the childminder who encourages the children's language and social skills at this time. Good policies are in place for accidents and the administration of medication which

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Helping children to be healthy

ensures that children are well cared for and their needs met. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise; they are developing good physical skills. They have the opportunity to run, climb, jump and slide on very regular trips to the local park and time spent in the childminder's garden. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety when outdoors as the childminder talks to the children about road safety and encourages them to hold hands when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel at home and are at ease because the childminder has made her home secure, enabling them to explore independently. They are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment. The childminder has taken steps to minimise possible risks in her home for example, by using safety gates, socket covers and through the use of high chair harnesses. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder has a good range of suitable and well maintained toys, furniture and equipment available for daily use, which includes high chair, travel cot and toddler toys. Children can easily access the wide range of toys and resources available to them as they are stored at low level, encouraging the children to be independent and make choices. Additional resources are rotated to ensure that the children's interest is maintained at all times. The childminder is able to safeguard children's welfare through her clear knowledge

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and understanding of child protection issues. She has expressed an interest in attending further training in this area.

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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 involved in an interesting range of activities and play experiences that are age appropriate and extend their development in all areas of learning. They are settled and happy, being able to chose toys and resources for themselves. Children are enthusiastic when investigating the range of toys which encourages them to explore. They use their senses to make connections within their environment, for example through playing with dough, corn flour mixed with water and joining in action songs. Children involve the childminder in their play and in return receive lots of positive attention which enables them to successfully extend their learning. The childminder shows an active interest in the children, this helps to build their self esteem and a strong relationship with her. Children have fun and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder has a sound understanding of caring for and assisting the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development of children under three years as her youngest child is under three years. She is currently using the Birth to three matters framework to enhance her care of children aged under three years and positively promote their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children respond well to the consistent praise and encouragement that they receive through their time with the childminder. They are well behaved, cooperative and are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and they learn right and wrong. Children enjoy care that promotes their well-being, self-esteem and self-worth. The childminder knows the children in her care well and is therefore able to ensure that they are treated with equal concern and that their individual needs and interests are encouraged. Children are able to access some toys and resources that reflect the diverse society in which they live. As she is new to childminding, the childminder has enhanced this area of her provision temporarily by borrowing resources from her childminder buddy until she is able to purchase her own. The children are confident and secure in the childminder's care which enabled them to interact with the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

inspector during the inspection at their own developmental stage. The childminder builds friendly but professional relationships with the parents. She discusses children's individual needs thoroughly with the parents prior to their placement commencing. She records these details for reference thus ensuring that all children are cared for appropriately. Children's routines and activities are shared with the parents verbally and in writing each day. The childminder is in the process of completing a portfolio of her policies and procedures for parents, enabling them to be fully informed of all aspects of her childcare provision. The childminder has a clear complaints procedure in place which she shares with parents. However the contact details for Ofsted are not included.

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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 comfortable and feel secure in the childminder's home which has well organised play space, allowing them to move around freely. Children's safety is maintained as the childminder has a good awareness of the need for persons aged over 16 years, living or staying at her home, to be reference checked with the Criminal Records Bureau. The childminder has shared these checks with the parents of children in her care to reassure them that the checks have been completed. The childminder is keen to continue to enhance her current good skills by attending additional training such as child protection. Her experience of caring for her own young children and the use of the Birth to three matters framework has given her a strong foundation in promote the all round development of children under three Clear policies and procedures are shared with parents and put into practice to ensure

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Organisation

that children are well cared for. This also supports the building of positive relationships with parents. The childminder has a good knowledge of the needs of the children in her care thus organises her day and activities to enable these to be met. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that Ofsted contact details are added to the complaints procedure

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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

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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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