Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY104177 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2006 Inspection date Andrea Caroline Snowden 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This childminder registered with Ofsted in 2002. She lives with her partner and four children in Thetford, within walking distance of local schools and nurseries. She has two grown-up children and two aged four and one year. Minded children use all the rooms on the ground floor, the upstairs bathroom and the garden. The bedrooms are excluded from the registration at the childminder's request.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children at anyone time. There are currently three children on roll, of whom one has English as an additional language. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder keeps a dog, cat and a snake as pets. The children have access to the dog and cat only.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is promoted. The childminder seeks information about allergies, dietary needs and health issues before care commences. The spread of infection between children is minimised because the childminder puts good hygiene procedures in place and discusses her policy for caring for children who are sick with the parents. The childminder is able to respond to accidents because she has the necessary knowledge and skills through first aid training. She does not have written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice which could result in a delay in treating children in an emergency situation. Children are learning about their personal health and hygiene. For example, the childminder helps them learn about why they need to wash their hands when they talk about germs causing tummy aches. The childminder is very aware of children's safety in the sun and ensures they are protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children eat healthily whilst at the childminder's home. She provides nutritious meals which are prepared using largely organic products and provides snacks of fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juices, homemade smoothies or water. Children plant and nurture their plants on the childminder's allotment. They harvest the fresh vegetables and then incorporate these ingredients into their meals when cooking. As a result they are beginning to understand the origins of food and the benefit of a good diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to play in the enclosed garden. Most exercise is achieved by walking to and from school, and gardening on the allotment. There are some activities for children such as the trampoline and a ride on toy for the garden. Sand and water play is also enjoyed. When the weather is wet children dance to music provided by BBC children's television.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the busy environment. The childminder has identified hazards and made a visual risk assessment of issues in the home in order to keep children safe. Children are beginning to learn about their personal safety because the childminder discusses road safety with them when walking to and from school. There are no formal emergency evacuation procedures in place and the childminder has not practised fire drills with the children. This means that children's safety could be compromised by issues which could have been addressed through practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a good selection of play equipment which is safe and suitable for their use. They are able to choose what to play with, promoting their independence and free choice. They learn to respect equipment and help the childminder to keep the environment tidy. Toys which are chewed by babies are washed daily to minimise infection. The childminder ensures activities available are interesting to the children and although she plans some more structured activities such as art and craft she retains the flexibility to be led by the children's wishes.

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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 are satisfactorily protected by the childminder who has a secure awareness of child protection issues. She does not have the contact details to make a referral, nor the supporting documentation which is relevant when implementing the procedures. There is no information for parents concerning her duties to the welfare of the children in child protection incidents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's confidence and independence is developing well. They settle quickly and appear relaxed in the childminder's home. Children's self-esteem is effectively promoted as the childminder is encouraging and supportive. She congratulates children on their achievements and comments such as 'that's very good, can you show me how to do that?' means that children are becoming proud and confident. She asks children to follow simple instructions, helping to promote their independence and self-help skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's friendships are forming. There is a warm, happy rapport between the children and the childminder. One child takes a few moments to settle in, but is soon happy and content in the childminder's company and chatting to her about the play-dough shapes that have been made. Other children take a good deal of support from the childminder, who is approachable and flexible to meet the needs of the children and their families.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are involved in a good range of activities which fosters their development and promotes learning through play. She asks children to identify colours and shapes and has found meaningful ways of helping children learn concepts such as the time. Children's scrap books show they have experienced a variety of art and craft mediums. The childminder is always close by and able to help children or answer their questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals by the childminder and she seeks information from parents to help her meet their needs. There are some resources which help children learn about diversity and the childminder uses her own experiences to help children learn about our diverse society. She is able to provide activities which can be adapted to meet a variety of needs and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning right from wrong. The childminder adopts an approach which is relevant to the age and level of understanding of each child. She uses sticker charts to help encourage children to behave well, and uses positive strategies to deal with unwanted behaviour. The children benefit from observing a positive role model in the childminder. She is polite and calm with the children, therefore encouraging them to reciprocate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the relationship which has developed between the childminder and parents. There is a good exchange of information which takes place to ensure both parties are updated about children's activities and their welfare. There is very little written information for new parents to help them understand how the childminder works for them and their child. There is no complaints procedure or complaints log in place, meaning that parents may be in

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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 doubt about the course of action to take should they wish to make any concerns about their child's welfare known.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably qualified and has attended some short course training to develop her knowledge and skills further. She has been vetted by Ofsted and is in the process of ensuring all family members required to do so are also vetted. The organisation of the premises is satisfactory and the environment very busy with school runs, arrivals and departures. Children move around the house according to their needs, whilst the childminder is usually close by.

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Organisation

All the required record keeping is in place and maintained to a satisfactory standard. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the play resources, develop a knowledge and understanding of equal opportunity principles and maintain an accurate register.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has collected together a good range of play equipment which is organised in a way that children can self-select and be independent in their choices. The play equipment is varied and promotes children's development appropriately.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some progress in developing knowledge and understanding of equal opportunity principles and providing play equipment to help children develop an awareness of our diverse society. She provides children with some experiences to help them learn about our multi-cultural society and understands that this could be developed further to help raise children's awareness of disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The daily register accurately reflects children's arrival and departure times, maintaining their safety.

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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 the 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 satisfactory. 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 written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • familiarise yourself with the document 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' • develop and practise an emergency escape plan • develop a set of policies in line with the national standards to ensure parents are aware of how the setting works • ensure parents are made aware, through a written complaints procedure, of how to raise a concern. Additionally set up a complaints log.

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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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