Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333983 Unique Reference Number 26 October 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 lives with her partner and child in a house in Ipswich, Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this consists of the lounge, playroom, kitchen and ground floor toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding nine children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one rabbit, two guinea pigs and two cats as pets.

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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 childminder has clear procedures regarding the good health of children, if they become unwell in her care parents are called to collect children to prevent the spread of infection. Children are developing their understanding on how to keep themselves healthy and about personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken on regular outings within the local community. For example, they go swimming, for walks and to activity play centres which effectively promotes their physical development. Children's need for sleep is well met as the childminder adheres to their own home routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has menus that are shared with parents, showing a variety of home cooked meals that she provides for minded children, that meet their individual dietary requirements. They are offered a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables to promote their health and well-being. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day, ensuring they have sufficient for their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming, child centred environment for minded children. She ensures that her home is secure and doors are kept locked so that children cannot leave unsupervised. The childminder regularly checks all toys and resources for any damage to ensure that children are protected from any potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is effectively promoted as the childminder discusses with children the emergency evacuation procedures, which are also displayed for parents to see. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them to sit on their chairs properly, so they don’t tip up and hurt themselves. When on outings the childminder ensures that children stay close to her, are appropriately secured into pushchairs or in the correct size car seats, this effectively promotes their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has attended training on child protection and has a written policy in place that is shared with parents. She is aware of the local safe guarding children procedures and of whom to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminders care. They are provided with a wide range of planned activities that helps to promote their development. For example, the children create people using balloons and stickers to make facial features and clothes for them to wear. The

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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 balloons are also used to play a game of catch as the childminder joins in with the children's games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are free to ask for resources and the childminder also makes suggestions for activities that she knows they like. Children are offered paper and pencils to draw and colour, older children ask for colouring books to colour in. The childminder sits children on her lap giving cuddles and warm physical contact when reading stories. Children's independence is developed as the childminder gives them time to complete activities for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken on regular outings that are suited to their ages, which helps to promote their language and social skills. The childminder interacts well with minded children of all ages, asking questions to develop their knowledge and understanding and she ensures that they have toys that are suited for their stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and their knowledge on the wider world is developed through the available resources. Children's efforts are valued by the childminder as their art work is displayed around the home. The childminder is a good role model for children as she encourages them to use good manners, by saying 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together and they are all included in the planned activities. The childminder adapts activities or provides different ones so each child's differing abilities can be met. The children are given clear explanations on what is expected of them by the childminder, they are encouraged to share and take turns, helping them to behave well. The childminder has a written policy on behaviour management which is shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that she gathers all information from parents about the care of their children, this ensures that their needs can be met. The childminder provides parents with a welcome pack with information on her childminding practice, so they know about the routines and activities that she provides. The childminder keeps daily diaries on children, which are shared with parents on the activities they have taken part in and how they have been whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps all her documentation confidential and most of this is in place. However, there is no written parental permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder displays her certificates, so that parents are kept informed on the training that she has attended. The childminder ensures that she records children's arrival and departure times in her register each day.

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Organisation

The childminder prepares and organises her home each day so that children have free access to suitable resources and activities for their needs. Children are fully supported by the childminder which has a positive impact on their well-being and development. The childminder

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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 ensures that children's individual needs are understood as she gathers information from parents about any health or dietary needs they may have. Overall the children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • obtain written parental permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for all minded children.

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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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