Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233768 Unique Reference Number 13 July 2006 Inspection date Georgina Emily Hobson Matthews 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?

The childminder registered in 2003. She lives with her daughter aged five years in a house in Fakenham, Norfolk, close to local schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Currently, she is caring for children on a full-time basis and also cares for children over eight years of age. Five children attend at different times and have access to all parts of her home. An outdoor area is available.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups and 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 satisfactory. Children’s health is promoted and they are protected from becoming ill as the childminder displays sound hygiene practice and has adequate systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children's welfare is accommodated as the childminder can respond to accidents as she holds current first aid training and a first aid box is well-stocked and easily accessible. She has obtained necessary information from most parents to take appropriate measures if children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment. The childminder talks to the children about personal hygiene and keeping healthy. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal needs. Children wash their hands before eating and after toileting and individual towels and flannels are provided for their use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of healthy eating as the childminder encourages the children to taste a variety of fresh fruits for snacks and talks with them about how particular foods are good for them. She discusses the contents of packed lunches with parents in order to ensure that the children benefit from a healthy diet. Special dietary requirements are identified prior to the commencement of care to ensure that parents’ wishes and any religious needs are met and that no child is at risk from a reaction to food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. They develop a positive attitude to exercise as they have opportunities to run around in the fresh air each day and walk to and from school on most days. They develop large physical skills as they throw, catch and manoeuvre balls around skittles and they enjoy dancing with hoops. Children develop confidence on equipment that provides challenge as they climb and balance on small frames at a local toddler group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is fostered as the childminder carries out an ongoing risk assessment of her home to reduce hazards and to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. They are cared for in a welcoming, child-centred, secure and safe, indoor and outdoor environment. They have sufficient space for free movement and spread out activities and there is adequate storage space for equipment. Children use an extensive range of developmentally appropriate, safe and suitable equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with clear explanations about safety issues within the setting and outside. The childminder offers the children careful explanations about rules in the home and talks with them about road safety, taking care in the sun and what to do if approached by strangers or unknown dogs.

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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 safeguarded in the area of child protection as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities. She has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns and has systems in place to release children into the care of other adults in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder's care. They sit comfortably on the carpet with a selection of interesting, age-appropriate resources within easy reach. Children enjoy their play and are offered a varied and stimulating range of activities to explore at their own pace. They display concentration as they post items into a shape-sorter. The children look carefully at each shape and breathe heavily at each attempt. The childminder offers them lots of support and celebrates each achievement enthusiastically with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks knowledgably about each child's different stage of development. Children delight in acquiring new skills, for example, a child is keen to walk several steps. Children sing quietly to themselves as they pull a brightly coloured caterpillar backwards and forwards. The childminder interacts well with the children and responds carefully to their sounds. She is gentle and affectionate and children snuggle in with her and form close bonds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides appropriate activities for all age groups and is aware of how to improve outcomes for children from birth to three years. She has an understanding of the needs of younger children and provides appropriate activities and resources to support their physical and emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging in the childminder's home as she arranges this with care to make them feel welcome. Examples of the children's creative work and photographs of them at play are displayed around the house and activities are set up prior to their arrival. Children’s individual needs are identified with parents prior to the commencement of care. Each child is treated equally and the childminder adapts activities to suit all developmental stages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing positive attitudes to diversity as the childminder includes images of the different people that make up our society within her resources. They become aware of the wider world as they socialise with others at local parent and toddler groups; visit local shops and parks and go on outings, for example, to Gressenhall and Eaton Park. The childminder has an awareness of issues around caring for children with learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder helps the children to manage their own behaviour. She uses positive behaviour management strategies that are appropriate to each child’s level of understanding and maturity. Children behave well and begin to distinguish between right and wrong through clear explanations.

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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's ongoing progress is accommodated as the childminder works closely with parents. A folder is available during the parents' first visit with copies of the childminder's certificates, policies and procedures. The childminder provides opportunities at the beginning and end of each day for parents to share information regarding the children. She produces regular written observations of the children's progress in her care in order to keep parents up-to-date with the activities in which the children are involved. Parents' satisfaction is reflected in their positive feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the care of an appropriately vetted and experienced childminder. They are never left alone with anyone who is not vetted. Children’s progress is enhanced as the childminder accesses childcare workshops and ongoing training to improve her practice.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children’s play. Main play takes place in the sitting room and the garden. Children able to move around easily and safely and to access equipment in a well- prepared environment. They are able to sit on comfortable sofas to look at books or listen to stories and to lie out on the floor with large floor puzzles, construction materials or activity centres. A table and chairs are provided in this area for meals and craft activities. Sleep for a young child is accommodated in an upstairs bedroom and older children may rest on the sofa. A toilet is available on the ground floor and a bathroom on the first floor. Children have access to a secure partly grassed and paved garden. Overall the needs of all the children attending are met.

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Organisation

Documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children is well-organised and stored securely to ensure confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to obtain permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for the children; to inform parents of the methods used to manage the children's behaviour and to record the arrangements for the provision of meals and snacks and children's individual needs and preferences.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has implemented a system to obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency for most children, although not for each member of one family. A behaviour management policy is shared with parents and contracts now record arrangements for children's meals and individual needs and preferences. This has enhanced children's health and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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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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 personal details and parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for each child in order to ensure children's well-being • record and retain the arrival and departure times of each child.

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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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