Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332486 Unique Reference Number 25 October 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 2006. She lives with her family in Kettleburgh, near Framingham, in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with one bedroom and bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed 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 and is currently minding seven children of whom all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local primary school. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family have a pet dog.

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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 effectively promoted as the childminder has a written policy in place for sick children and for the safe administration of medication that are shared with parents. Although there is no parental permission for seeking emergency advice in place, which compromises children's welfare. Children have a good understanding of why they need to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. This ensures that their health and well-being is given a high priority. The childminder provides separate, named flannels and towels for children, this minimises the risk of any cross infection, promoting their health well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes children for regular walks and has music and movement sessions so that children's physical development is effectively promoted. Children sleep according to their home routines, in a travel cot on the first floor or older children can rest and sit quietly on the sofa in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is effectively promoted as the childminder provides a variety of fresh fruit at snack time and the children know that eating fruit keeps them healthy. Children are provided with milk or water to drink for snack and the childminder fills up their water bottles, so that they can help themselves, fostering their independence well. All meals provided by parents are stored appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm, home environment, toys and resources are set out so that they are easily accessible to all children that attend. Children have access to a secure, enclosed garden for outside play to promote their physical development. Children's safety is enhanced as the childminder ensures that the resources are checked each time they are used and that they are suitable for the ages of children present. The childminder ensures that the garden is safe for children to access, protecting them from potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has in place the necessary equipment to ensure that children are protected from potential hazards. For example, the front door is locked and the keys are out of reach of children but accessible to the childminder in an emergency. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe when on outings as they know to stay close to her and the childminder teaches them about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has attended training on child protection and has a written policy in place that is shared with parents. She is aware of the local safe guarding children procedures and of whom to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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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 relaxed and content in the childminder's care. They are provided with a range of stimulating activities that are planned each week around different topics and themes. For example, the children mix paint to create different colours as they paint salt dough shapes they have made earlier in the week on the theme of 'Halloween'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, supporting the children with a counting activity. The childminder ensures that the activities are adapted so that they are suitable for the children's age and stage of development. Children are free to choose what they want to do and can ask for toys that they enjoy playing with. The childminder interacts well with minded children, asking them questions to extend their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's imagination is being developed well as they use the large range of role play resources and 'cook' lunch and make 'toast'. The childminder encourages children's independence as she gives them time to accomplish tasks for themselves. Children's social skills are promoted well as the childminder takes them on regular outings that are appropriate for their ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and the childminder has a positive attitude to peoples differences that is reflected in the wide range of toys and resources available and also in the different world festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The childminder ensures that all children are included and adapts the activities so they can all participate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows minded children well and ensures that their individual needs are met, as she adheres to their home routines for sleeping and eating meals. Children play well together and the childminder encourages them to share and take turns. The childminder has a written policy on behaviour management that is shared with parents and she gives the children clear explanations on what is expected from them, helping them to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares all written policies with parents so they are aware of her childminding practice and procedures. The childminder keeps parents up-to-date with their child's progress and what they have been doing whilst in her care, when children are collected.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place. However, there is no written parental permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment in place. All children's details are kept confidential in separate named folders. The childminder organises her home and resources so that children can move around freely.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed NVQ level 2 training in both early years and play work, this has developed her knowledge on the different stages of a wide age range of children, enabling

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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 their needs to be met appropriately. The childminder is pro-active in ensuring the needs of all children's are being met and is due to attend training on the 'Birth to three matter' framework. The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place, that help to promote the children's welfare and development.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the national standards.

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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 written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all minded children.

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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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