Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318728 Inspection date 07 August 2006 Inspector Andrea Caroline Snowden

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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?

This childminder registered in January 2006. She lives in Stowmarket with her husband and two children aged 13 and 11. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight. There are currently six children on roll, all attending on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. One bedroom is registered for children to sleep in during the day whilst all others are excluded from the registration at the request of the childminder. There is a fully enclosed garden for

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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 outdoor play. The family have a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good 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 has a good awareness of communicable disease and ensures parents understand and agree that children who are poorly should be at home. The childminder is able to respond to accidents because she has the necessary knowledge and equipment to do so. There is no permission to seek emergency medical treatment for children should parents be unavailable. This could result in a delay in treating a child in an emergency situation. The children eat healthily whilst at the childminder's home. She provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit and ensures children always have enough to drink. Children visit the shops with the childminder and choose fresh fruits for their snack. At the table

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Helping children to be healthy

they discuss their favourite fruits and so a healthy eating culture is developing. Snack and meal times are sociable occasions with everybody sitting at the table, eating and talking together. Children have lots of opportunity to play in the enclosed garden. Some activities present the younger children with physical challenge whilst others promote social skills. The local park is used so that older children experience different apparatus which offer more challenge and variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are settled in the safe environment. The childminder creates a homely setting where children can play, rest and eat as they wish to. A good approach to safety by the childminder means that children can explore their indoor and outdoor environment in safety and without fear of hurting themselves. Children are closely supervised, especially when playing in the garden. There are effective emergency evacuation procedures in place, however, children have not practised fire drills. This may compromise their safety in an emergency by issues which could have been addressed through carrying out a fire drill. Children are beginning to learn about their personal safety because the childminder discusses road safety with them when walking to and from the park, and ensures they understand the possible dangers when talking to people they don't know. One child comments to the inspector that the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder makes them feel 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

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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 free choice. They learn to respect equipment and help the childminder to keep it clean and well maintained. 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. Children are protected by the childminder who has a good awareness of child protection issues. She ensures she gives top priority to children's welfare and is able to put procedures into place should she become concerned about a child. She has the relevant documentation and contact numbers to support her and therefore is able to safeguard a child effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's confidence and independence is developing. They settle well and appear relaxed in the childminder's home. Children's self-esteem is well promoted as the childminder congratulates them on their achievements and shares their success with the other children. Children's choices are respected. Planned activities such as puppet making, promote children's imaginative thinking and their ideas are incorporated into the daily plan. Children's friendships are well developed. They play together harmoniously, each choosing to do something different, but chatting to each other as they go about their play. The childminder plays on the floor with the children and involves herself in their activities. She helps extend play when appropriate and encourages children to become engaged in play. There is a warm, happy rapport between the children and the childminder. A child comments to the inspector that the childminder is 'really fun'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

When asked why the child replies 'because she dresses up with us'. The children are involved in a good range of activities which fosters their development and promotes learning through play. She asks children to identify and count the play people in the house and has used books effectively to help children's writing skills. Children's progress is observed and the childminder provides activities to promote individuals learning in specific areas, or to provide extra support if asked to do so by parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals by the childminder and she seeks information from parents to help her meet their needs effectively. The childminder talks to children about different celebrations and has borrowed some equipment from the library, but there is little available to help raise children's awareness of diversity. The childminder is experienced and qualified in working with children with learning difficulties through her work in the local pre-school. She is able to adapt activities to meet specific needs, and liaise with parents and other agencies to provide appropriate care for a child.

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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 Children are learning right from wrong. The childminder adopts a consistent approach which is relevant to the age and level of understanding of each child. She is patient and calm and ensures that children understand why behaviour is unacceptable. They are encouraged in self-discipline and respect and are able to operate within the realistic boundaries set by the childminder. Good behaviour is rewarded with praise. The children benefit from the good working relationship which has developed between the childminder and parents. There is a flexible settling in process and the childminder ensures she finds out about children's likes, dislikes and routines, enabling them to settle with her more quickly. There is an effective exchange of information to keep parents informed of the children's activities and any incidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from seeing their parents and the childminder working together to meet their needs. There is no complaints procedure or complaints log in place, meaning that parents may be in 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 good. The childminder is well qualified, holding a level three qualification in early years care and education. She has also attended some short course training to further update her knowledge and skills. She shows a commitment to her work and assesses her own performance by seeking feedback from the parents and observing that the children are content and well occupied. She has been vetted by Ofsted and ensures children are not left with anyone else. The organisation of the premises is effective and enables children to move around the different areas in confidence and safety and according to their needs. All the required record keeping is in place and maintained to a good standard. The daily register is complete, but not filled in as children arrive and leave, meaning that in an emergency a third party would not know how many children are present. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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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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 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 consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • complete the daily register as children arrive and leave • further improve safety by practising fire drills with children • improve opportunities for children to learn about a diverse society, and help raise their awareness of disability issues • set up a complaints log

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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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