Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252806 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2006 Inspection date Julie Denise Edmonds 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 May 2003. She childminds from a self-contained annex attached to her grandparents' home. The premises are in Gorleston within walking distance of local amenities including shops, schools, parks and the beach. There is a playroom with an additional room available for children to sleep and easy access to a bathroom. A fully enclosed area of the garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for six children at any one time and occasionally works with an assistant. She currently cares for three pre-school children and six school age children under eight years. Three older children also attend. The children attend on a part-time basis. Children are transported by car. The childminder takes children to local community groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder does not have pets. However, her grandparents have cats on the premises.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is mostly well promoted, with the childminder keeping the premises clean, wiping table tops in the play room as needed to maintain cleanliness. Children wash their hands at appropriate times, such as following outdoor play and prior to snack time. They are learning about when they need to wash their hands, going to the bathroom themselves, with reminders given by the childminder at other times. This helps them to develop independence, with the childminder providing appropriate support as needed. Children use clean towels provided daily. However, shared use of these does not support good hygiene practice to prevent cross infection. Protection from illness includes suitable procedures in place to exclude children who are ill or infectious in accordance with communicable disease guidelines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical activity, supporting them to develop a positive attitude to exercise. This includes play in the garden where children use ride-on toys, learning to peddle. Visits to local parks provide opportunities to use equipment such as climbing frames, swings and slides suitable for both younger and older children attending. Indoor soft play areas at local attractions offer additional activity for the children to enjoy. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular food and drink provides a nutritious diet and meets children’s individual health and dietary needs, with information gathered from parents. Children bring their own food provided by parents or the childminder is happy to provide by arrangement. They are encouraged to have healthy food with after school snacks provided by the childminder including fresh fruit, bread sticks with dip and yogurts. Themes promote healthy eating. The childminder ensures drinks are always available and especially following outdoor play, meeting children's needs after physical activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and well maintained indoor environment. The play room is child-centred with attractive displays and posters. Good use of space ensures children can play, eat and have undisturbed sleep in comfort. They use child size tables and chairs in the play room to do table top activities and at snack and meal times. The outdoor play area is not maintained to ensure daily suitability for use by the children. For example, covered by leaves making a slippery surface on the paved areas and some equipment discoloured as a result of the weather. Suitable equipment, toys and books are accessible indoors, with a travel cot, high chair and car seats in use to meet children’s needs. Many toys are stored in containers at low level in the play room, easily within children's reach and allowing them to make choices.

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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 The children are well supervised by the childminder, supporting safety. They are cared for in an environment where most hazards are identified and reduced. The childminder has a written risk assessment for indoors and plans to extend this to include outdoors. Catches on low-level cupboards and drawers restrict children’s access to sharp items and plastic bags. They are prevented from leaving the premises unsupervised with entrance and exit doors secured. Children gain awareness of emergency evacuation and road safety through discussion with the childminder and as part of themes used. Activities about road safety also link in with the local school road safety week, making stop signs and traffic lights and doing worksheets. The children talk and learn about safety while walking to and from school, keeping together and holding hands. They

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are content, settled and confident in the company of the childminder. They receive praise and recognition for their achievements, promoting their self-esteem. This includes displaying their craft work, valuing what they do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are involved in a range of interesting activities. These include vehicles and cars on a roadway mat, constructing a train track, using books, play dough, messy play activities with sand, water and paints. They choose from the many accessible toys, activities and books in the play room. A balance of using themes and free play opportunities promotes children’s learning, while allowing them time to develop their own interests. Themes include celebrations and festivals such as Diwali and Halloween. The children’s interest in nature is encouraged, such as watching a caterpillar change into a butterfly. They enjoy a wide variety of outings planned by the childminder, extending their experiences further, including trips to local attractions and wildlife parks. The childminder has the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is able to provide activities to meet the needs of younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's full involvement in their play, helping them and describing to them how they will get results from what they are doing. For example, push the rolling pin 'forwards and backwards' to roll out the play dough. Children's language development is supported with the childminder talking to them about what they are doing. They are encouraged to use their imagination, with the childminder asking, ‘What is like this?’ as the children reply that a snake would be like the play dough shape.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are becoming aware of wider society and developing a positive attitude to the wider world. Resources in use reflect diversity with a modern range of books, including additional borrowed from the library. Children learn about their own and other peoples cultures, trying food eaten in different countries. They learn about their own and the wider community. They

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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 mix with other children and adults with regular visits to the local library and toy library meeting with other childminder's and children, also trips to and from school. All children are regarded with equal concern. The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from consistent, positive and developmentally appropriate behaviour management methods agreed with parents. Disagreements between children are quickly resolved with the childminder’s support to encourage sharing. Children are kept busy to aid behaviour management, with different toys introduced to keep children occupied and defuse situations. The children are polite, using please and thank you, following the role model of the childminder. Children learn about why their behaviour is unacceptable with explanations given by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met by the childminder who works in close partnership with parents. Written agreements are in place with parents' wishes for their child known and taken heed of. This includes appropriate consents in place, such as to travel in a vehicle and for the childminder to take photographs. Parents are fully informed about routines and practices with an introductory booklet, policies and newsletters keeping them up-to-date. Daily communication ensures essential information is exchanged to meet children's changing needs. Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns they may have with the childminder, promoting early resolution and continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is safeguarded as they are only cared for by persons who are suitable to do so. They are not left with unvetted persons. The childminder uses her knowledge and experience to provide a range of enjoyable play and learning experiences. Care of older children does not adversely effect care of the younger children attending. The childminder ensures that younger children can continue to take part in activities of their own choice when older children are also present. Routines give children a sense of security with regular snack and meal times. The time and attention given to the children promotes their overall well-being and supports the good quality care provided.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised, supporting the effective operation of the provision. Records are kept and used well to comply with regulations, with competent use of a combination of National Childminding Association documentation and the childminder’s own record of attendance. This promotes efficient and safe management.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop an area of the garden for outdoor play. She has erected fencing to provide a secure area for children to benefit from time and exercise outdoors. However, checks do not currently ensure daily suitability for use, resulting in a recommendation at this inspection.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • maintain outdoor area to ensure daily suitability for use by the children • provide suitable hand drying facilities to prevent cross infection.

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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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