Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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251152 Unique Reference Number 20 June 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 1992. She lives with her family in Ipswich. All of the ground floor is used for childminding activities, children access the toilet and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. Shops, play areas and other amenities are all within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children before and after school, term time only.

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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. The good health of children is promoted well by the good hygiene practices the childminder has in place. Children are well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder has procedures about the exclusion of children who may be ill, which are shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about personal hygiene through daily routine and they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, after visiting the toilet and if they have played with the cats. Children's healthy growth and development is effectively promoted by the childminder as she gathers information from parents about any dietary or health needs they have. They are provided with a variety of healthy snacks which are essential for their good health that include fresh fruit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is promoted well as the childminder ensures they have daily access to the garden or park and walks within the local community as she takes and collects children from the local school. Children are able to access the garden to run and play, this helps to promote their physical development.

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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 and welcoming home environment. Children are able to independently select activities from the range of toys and equipment provided. Their safety is enhanced through the well maintained equipment and toys which are suitable for the ages of the children present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe from hazards in the home as the childminder has put in place measures and the necessary equipment to protect children from any dangers and keeps the home secure. The childminder is vigilant and ensures the children are supervised at all times, promoting their safety. Children are becoming aware of keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety when they walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safe guarded and promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and has undertaken training in child protection. She has a written statement about child protection that outlines the steps she would take should she have concerns for a child, this is shared with parents and they sign to say they have read and understood the procedures that are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are building positive relationships and developing their self-esteem as the childminder listens and chats freely with them, asking questions about their day at school and if they have any homework that needs to be completed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 developing their confidence and independence as the childminder gives them praise and encouragement for their efforts. They have access to a wide variety of play and learning activities. They can make choices about what they want to do as the childminder asks them what they would like to do and plans activities accordingly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved and enjoy their play. Their imagination is being developed well through a range of activities such as building with Lego and art and craft activities; as the children choose to paint, mixing colours and experimenting with the colours they have created, painting pictures to take home to share with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have opportunities to experience the wider world when on outings within the local community and through the toys, resources and cooking activities, this helps to develop children's understanding of people's similarities and differences. All children are accepted and looked after according to their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn about right and wrong through listening to the childminder's explanations of what is acceptable behaviour. The childminder has ground rules that are explained clearly to the children so they know to share, take turns and play well together. Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has developed good relationships with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the ongoing communication between the childminder and their parents. She keeps parents informed on what their children have been doing whilst in her care, when they collect their children. All information gathered from parents about their child is kept up to date and confidential.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder's records and certificates for training are kept all together. However her paper work is not all up to date. For example, the childminder's register is not up to date and she has not recorded children's arrival and departure times for this week. Children’s individual needs are promoted well by clearly recording any medical needs that they have.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for and fully supported by the childminder as she makes good use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to move around safely and can access all the resources and equipment easily from the designated toy cupboard in the lounge.

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Organisation

Children have continuing support from the childminder to feel secure and confident as she ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times. The childminder ensures she supervises children closely at all times especially when walking to and from school and when they are in the garden.

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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 Overall the needs of the children are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of toys and resources to reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased additional resources to promote children's understanding of the wider world. She also borrows books from the library for children to share and provides cooking activities so the children can taste different foods from around the world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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): • ensure that a daily record is maintained of children's arrival and departure times.

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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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