Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268892 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2006 Inspection date Pauline Margaret Todd 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in a village near to the town of Wroxham, Norfolk. The whole ground floor, apart from the office, and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. 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 four children under eight years at any one time and no overnight care is provided. She is currently minding seven part-time children aged from six months to ten years. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and takes children to play at the local parks. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 good. Children are cared for in clean and tidy premises. The childminder follows appropriate procedures which ensure good standards of hygiene are maintained. Disposable gloves are worn when changing nappies. Babies play materials are sterilised before they are used. Pets are hygienically cared for to keep children safe. Children in the process of being toilet-trained are keen to use the facilities independently. The childminder encourages them to begin to take responsibility to meet their own personal hygiene needs. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating to prevent the spread of illnesses and infection. Children's health details are clearly recorded to maintain their good health. The sickness policy enables children who are unwell to be cared for appropriately. The childminder has current first aid knowledge to ensure children's well-being in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished and have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating. Fruit is available to them at all times. They eat apples as they play and have banana and breadsticks at snack time. The childminder provides them with home-cooked meals and light lunches which promotes their healthy growth and development. However, the food arrangements are not always agreed to ensure they meet with parents' wishes. Children help themselves to a drink from their beakers throughout the day. The childminder ensures that they drink sufficient amounts to keep them healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity. The have many opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise. They use bikes, scooters, ride-ons, slides, a climbing frame and a large trampoline in the garden and go out for walks and visit local parks and woods. Children are able to rest comfortably on the settees or beanbags. Young children sleep in a travel cot in the bedroom which promotes their well-being and physical and emotional development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel relaxed and comfortable in the homely and welcoming environment. There are posters and art work displayed on the walls. The childminder makes good use of her space to provide children with a broad range of activities and play opportunities that successfully promote their development. Children use the dining area of the kitchen for their activities, play equipment is stored in the dining room and the living room is used for quiet times and homework. Children are able to move around freely and safely because the childminder has identified and minimised risks, for example, a stair gate is positioned at the bottom of the stairs and sockets are fitted with covers. However, the garden is not always checked for safety and the risk to children through access to and use of the trampoline has not been sufficiently assessed. Children receive good supervision. Detailed risk assessments are undertaken for any outings held. The premises

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and garden are secure. Clear plans for fire safety protect children in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to an excellent range of resources from containers and store cupboards indoors and from the play house outside which promotes self-selection and independence.

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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 There is sufficient choice to allow them to develop their own ideas. A variety of good quality books, puzzles and games are available. However, some of the toys in the garden and outdoor play house are looking dirty. Children sit comfortably to join in activities. They play together on the floor, at the kitchen table and use child-sized tables and chairs in the garden. Sufficient equipment is available to meet the varying needs of young children, for example, there are steps by the kitchen sink and a travel cot in the bedroom. Buggies, high chairs and car seats are stored in the garage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded and promoted because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities towards those in her care. The child protection documentation is easily accessible. Recent training has been undertaken to up-date her knowledge of the procedures to follow if she suspects a child is being abused or neglected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and spend their time playing purposefully. They play freely with the miniature toys which encourage them to use their imagination. They take part in role play which develops their social and emotional skills, for example, they extend their play situation with the dolls by 'going for a picnic'. They load up the pushchair with the things they will need and go to sit under a tree in the garden. The childminder provides them with a variety of craft activities which promote their creativity, for example, making birthday cards, junk modelling, colouring using felt tips and crayons, using scissors and glue sticks to cut and paste pictures. Children are able to explore their environment and make choices. The childminder reads stories to the children in the afternoons which helps to create valuable habits of listening and concentration. Children attend parent and toddler groups to help develop their social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework for reference when planning activities which helps her to be aware of the development needs of young children. When out for a walk they use their senses by feeling bird feathers and leaves, and when undertaking painting they make hand prints.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is building positive relationships with the children and developing their self-esteem. She positions herself at their level and maintains good eye contact. She is kind, talks to the children constantly and uses friendly and sensitive language. She shows affection by giving children cuddles. They sit on her knee at the table to have a quiet time. She values what children say and do, is confident to follow their lead and respond well to their interests, for example, when they want to use the ride-on car, use glitter pens on their birthday cards and write their own messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel good about themselves because the childminder gives them lots of praise, for example, for their birthday cards or for using the toilet. They learn about equality by using toys and play equipment that reflect a variety of cultural backgrounds and varying needs. Children have adequate opportunities to learn about their immediate community by visiting the shops,

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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 schools and parks. The childminder knows the children well and sufficient details of their specific needs, likes, dislikes and routines are recorded to enable appropriate care to be given. She is aware some children may have additional needs. Their welfare would be positively promoted by working closely with parents. She would organise her environment to make sure children could take part in activities suitable to their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are polite and get on well together. The childminder encourages them to share their crayons and take turns to use the felt tips. Children know what is expected of them as house rules are established. A behaviour management policy is available for parents to sign to inform them of the methods used to encourage good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships that have developed between the childminder and their parents. There is a useful exchange of information, for example, sleep patterns. Daily diaries are completed to promote children's welfare and development. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes, for example, agreement forms are completed. The registration forms give sufficient details of the children attending, including their emergency contact numbers and those with permission to collect them. The childminder shares details of her routines and practices with parents by discussing her policies and procedures with them. Interesting scrapbooks and photographs are available of the activities undertaken. Parents receive adequate advice about the procedures for making complaints and the process for resolving them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There have been no changes to the childminder's circumstances and she remains suitable. She has the necessary experience, skills and ability to look after children. She improves and develops her practice by undertaking childminding training. The children are very well cared for and supported during their time with her because she organises her space and resources carefully.

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Organisation

Appropriate records are kept to ensure the childminder carries out her work efficiently and detailed contracts and consents promote the welfare and care of all children. Suitable arrangements are made to store these confidentially. The register is kept accurate and up-to-date and shows when children are present on the premises to keep them safe and ensure ratios are maintained. The childminder has produced some policies and procedures which support her practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to develop her range of resources which reflect diversity and obtain written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for the children. There are now sufficient play materials which show positive images of people from various cultural backgrounds and with varying needs to actively promote equality of opportunity. Consents are in place from all parents regarding emergency medical treatment for their children to make sure the childminder complies with their wishes.

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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): • develop the procedures for undertaking regular risk assessments of the garden and for the cleaning of outdoor toys • agree details of food arrangements with parents.

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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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