Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331085 Inspection date 01 August 2006 Inspector Patricia Mary Champion

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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?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, six and two years. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools, shops and the railway station in South Woodham Ferrers. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day and three children over five before and after school and during the holidays. The childminder drives or walks to

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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 local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis, meets with other childminders and takes children to the local park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because they understand simple health and hygiene procedures and follow the good example set by the childminder. They always wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Individual wipes are available to protect children from cross-infection. Children's health is promoted by the childminder holding a current first aid certificate and maintaining exemplary accident and medication records. She can act in the event of an emergency because she holds parental permission to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment. A wealth of information relating to children's communicable diseases and other health issues is held on file for easy reference. Children are protected effectively in hot weather. Sun cream is applied before children go outside to play and sun hats are usually worn. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy eating a range of different fruit for

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks and drinks are freely available throughout the day. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents. She is extremely well aware of any allergies or special dietary requirements to meet the children's individual needs. Children have good opportunities for physical play in the garden or at the park. They play with a wide variety of outdoor toys and physical apparatus appropriate for all ages. Children take part in energetic indoor soft play at Creepy Crawlies and enjoy active circle games and they exercise along to children's fitness programmes. A wide range of activities and outings linked to National Childminding Week ensures that children take part in active and fun projects where they learn about fitness and good food.

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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 very clean, comfortable and safe environment. The childminder is mindful of security and has clear procedures and a password system to ensure only authorised people collect the children. Children learn about their own personal safety as they practise fire drills and smoke alarms are regularly tested. The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Children are able to move freely around the premises and have access to a very good range of toys and play equipment to meet their needs. All toys and equipment are checked frequently for damage and cleanliness. The childminder has a swimming pool in her garden. Normally a rigid cover is fitted 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 the childminder supervises children when they play outdoors. However, potentially children's safety is compromised because she has not yet undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment regarding the safety and care of children when they use the pool or if they play in the garden when the pool is not in use. Children benefit from outings with the childminder. They learn about road safety when going for walks and the childminder organises activities and tasks linked to children's safety when out and about. Children are learning about personal safety. They know to wear their seat belts in the car and the childminder ensures that each child wears a wrist band when they visit a busy attraction such as Marsh Farm. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection responsibilities. The clearly written child protection policy is shared with parents and relevant literature is kept accessible so that the childminder knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and confident in the childminder's care as they select activities and tasks. They enjoy an excellent variety of experiences that reflect their interests and relate to their abilities and development. Activities are linked to themes and events during the year. The childminder has equipped her summer house to provide a stimulating and child friendly environment where children have fun and play imaginatively. The childminder makes sure that projects and tasks will keep children of all ages busy and interested throughout each day. Children build very warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. Interaction is excellent. The childminder asks carefully formed questions to make children think and give interesting answers. She responds enthusiastically to the children's requests or questions. The youngest children are strongly supported in their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development. The childminder has attended training linked to the 'Birth to three matters' framework so that she can provide high quality care. She plans activities, assesses children's development and identifies their next steps so that they progress and achieve as much as they can. Children enjoy demonstrating their creative skills. They make pictures and collages using natural materials such as leaves and flowers and use a wide variety of art materials such as glitter, tissue paper and paint to design individual pieces of art. They play imaginatively in the summer house as they prepare and cook lunch and move expressively as they dance or play musical instruments. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they go on an excellent range of outings. Extremely good use is made of local venues to extend children's learning experiences. They go to Marsh Farm and Colchester Zoo to learn about animals and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy fishing for crabs at the river. The childminder keeps a scrapbook of photographs and artwork for each child so that they children can share and remember what they have done.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as they are settled and play happily in the family environment. They understand responsible behaviour and play harmoniously with each other. The childminder encourages them to think about each others' feelings and they learn social skills such as turn-taking and sharing. There is a clearly written behaviour management policy and house rules for the children to follow. Plenty of praise and encouragement is given to raise children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are extremely proud of their achievements and they enjoy showing visitors examples of their artwork. Children learn about wider society as they play with toys and look at books that reflect positive image of diversity. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to gather to ensure the appropriate care of children with special needs. Children benefit from the childminder's strong partnership with parents and carers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is freely shared and daily diaries are written to keep parents fully informed about their child's day. Parents can see their child's developmental records at any time. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes and the childminder ensures she has an excellent understanding of their opinions and attitudes.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by the exceptional organisation. Children are very happy, comfortable and settled in a warm and caring environment. The effective organisation of time, space and resources ensures children's individual needs are well met. The childminder is efficient and highly motivated. She uses information gathered from training courses and undertakes her own research to support her childcare practice. The childminder liaises with other childminders on a regular basis to keep up to date with current childcare issues and trends. All the essential documentation required to meet the National Standards is systematically organised. Policies and procedures are well-written and individual to the setting and fully support the professional practice to a high standard. A high regard is given to confidentiality and the paperwork containing the children's details is

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Organisation

securely stored. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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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 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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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): • assess the risks to children regarding the swimming pool and take action to minimise these.

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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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