Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232289 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Sally Ann Hubbard 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 has been registered since August 2001. She lives with her Partner and two children aged 12 and 14 years in the village of Ixworth, which is near to the town of Bury St Edmunds. The whole of the childminder's premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Children also play in the front garden, under supervision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 10, all except one attend on a part-time basis. She walks or drives to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children and sometimes takes children for walks to the nearby park or on other outings. The childminder keeps one dog as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health is appropriately promoted because the childminder has very good hygiene practices and teaches children how to stay healthy. Children learn why it is important to wash their hands as the childminder gets them to look at their hands to see if they are dirty and she talks to them about germs that cannot be seen. Children are protected from any risk of cross-infection and illness as they do not attend if they are sick; parents are made aware of the childminder’s policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s medical needs are suitably met and the childminder can respond appropriately to accidents because she is trained to administer first aid. The childminder has appropriate accident and medication records which are shared with parents. However, she does not have permission to seek emergency medical advice therefore children may be placed at risk in the event of a serious accident or medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks which are usually provided by parents but in addition the childminder always has fruit available if they want it. Children can have a drink whenever they feel thirsty as these are readily available to them which helps them to become aware of their own needs. The childminder makes mealtimes relaxed and social occasions as she sits with the children and chats to them. Children enjoy a good range of outdoor play facilities in the garden area and also enjoy going for walks to the nearby park and other outings with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made to feel very welcome in the childminder’s home, she makes it attractive and inviting by displaying children's work. She has toys and resources readily available and keeps the premises clean and safe for them. Children enjoy a good range and selection of toys, activities and other equipment. They easily access these as some are stored at their level. The childminder checks her toys and resources regularly to make sure they are safe. She ensures her equipment conforms to relevant safety standards and is appropriate for the ages of children she is looking after.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected while at the childminder’s house because daily safety checks are undertaken. She keeps all doors locked and secure to prevent children leaving unaccompanied. Children understand the fire drill and know how to get out of the house safely in an emergency. This is because the childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan and has practised this with them. Children are well supervised at all times to prevent accidents occurring as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is further protected because the childminder has good knowledge and awareness of child protection issues and knows what signs and symptoms to look for. She has undertaken relevant training to update her knowledge and she keeps the referral details and contact number readily available. The protection of the children in her care is her main priority.

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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 very confident and well settled and play happily together. They feel relaxed and at home in the childminder’s house. They enjoy a good range and variety of stimulating resources and activities which help them to develop and make progress in all areas. The childminder gets down to children’s level and involves herself in their games and activities and they respond extremely well to her. Children feel secure because she has a gentle, calm manner as she talks and plays with them. She knows the children very well and has very good relationships with them. She supports them with the activities, helping them to learn as they play and have fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to be independent and choose what they want to play with. They help to clear away toys before they select something different to play with. The childminder is using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to effectively support the development of the younger children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all included and involved in the activities and they select and play with any of the resources. They learn to share resources and respect others. The childminder finds out sufficient information about each child and enables them to develop appropriately at their own rate. She is aware of and can recognise that some children may have special needs and she would provide appropriate activities and care to enable her to meet those needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are provided with a very good role model to follow. The childminder is always calm and speaks to them in a quiet voice. Children are treated fairly and with respect. The childminder gives them explanations to help them understand the boundaries and how to behave appropriately. She negotiates well with them to calm any developing situations, for example, when both children want to play with the same toy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents which enables her to give appropriate care and meet children’s needs. Parents are given good information about the childminding service. This includes her policies, details about the areas of learning, the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and how she helps children develop and make progress. Information is exchanged with parents daily and the childminder keeps clear, detailed records about each child. The childminder gives parents details of how they can contact Ofsted and is aware of the new regulations regarding complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded because all adults have been checked to make sure they are suitable. She ensures she supervises children well and does not leave them alone with anyone who has not been vetted. She organises her space well to enable her to provide a range of different activities for children to enjoy.

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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 Children benefit because the childminder is committed to updating her knowledge and skills, she attends a variety of different courses and is currently undertaking the 'Quality kite mark' award. Children have sufficient space to play freely with toys and resources both indoors and out.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the required records that contribute to children’s health and well-being. The records are well organised and are kept securely to maintain confidentiality but readily accessible when needed. The childminder keeps very good information about the children with her when she is out and about. She provides a good quality service for children and their parents and has a good knowledge and understanding of the standards and how she can meet them. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep her register accurate by recording the times children arrive and leave, she now records children's attendance accurately. She was also asked to remove the keys from the bathroom doors so that children cannot lock themselves in. Children are now safe and cannot get locked in these rooms, because the keys have been removed from one door and the other door has been changed and does not lock any more.

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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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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 permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 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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