Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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256352 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2006 Inspection date Christine Ann London 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two teenage children, in a village near to the City of Norwich, Norfolk. The whole of the childminders house apart from her son's bedroom is used for childminding and 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 six children under eight years at any one time. No overnight care is provided. She currently has 10 children on roll. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to play at the local park. The childminder has a dog.

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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 appropriately as they are cared for in a clean and tidy environment. They are learning to take responsibility for their personal hygiene needs. The childminder checks they have washed their hands after using the toilet to minimise the spread of infection. Pets are hygienically cared for to keep children safe. The dog is child friendly and mainly sleeps in the lounge. The childminder has attended an appropriate first aid course and has a first aid box provided. She has suitable accident and medication records and consents in place which she shares with the parents. Children's health details are recorded to promote their well-being from information gathered from parents at the initial visit and continue to be updated as necessary. These ensure the childminder is able to deal with any accidents or medical emergencies effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to engage in physical exercise. The rear garden is used for outdoor activities during the summer months when children have access to a variety of equipment to promote and develop their skills, such as a trampoline and slide. They enjoy daily walks to and from school and sometimes visit the local park. Young children are able to sleep undisturbed in a cot in the bedroom, to meet their emotional and physical development. Older children can fulfil their own needs in regard to rest by using the comfortable settee in the playroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are adequately met. They have some opportunities to learn about healthy eating, for example, they have grapes and apples at snack time. The parents provide all food and drink for the children and these arrangements are sufficiently recorded to promote their healthy growth and development. Older children are able to help themselves to a drink from the kitchen. Younger children have some access to their beakers and the childminder encourages them to drink sufficient amounts at snack and meal times to keep them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a child-friendly and safe environment. The playroom has displays of children's work on the walls promoting them feeling valued. The childminder's visual risk assessments of her property are effective in identifying and minimising potential hazards. She has suitable safety equipment in place, such as stair gates and socket covers. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place, such as smoke alarms, a fire blanket and an emergency evacuation plan displayed. She regularly practises fire drills with the children to teach them how to evacuate the premises quickly in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can reach they toys and play equipment from the floor and storage unit which encourages them to select items independently. The resources are in a satisfactory condition. The childminder has procedures to follow to ensure they are well maintained and anything broken is discarded immediately. Children sit comfortably to join in activities and play together

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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 on the floor of the play room or at a child-sized table. Sufficient equipment is available to meet the needs of the younger children, for example, double buggy and high chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her duty to refer concerns regarding child protection issues. She is not sufficiently familiar with the current documentation to ensure these concerns could be dealt with promptly for the children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a wide range of learning and play opportunities. They are happy and play freely. They take part in role play activities, for example, dressing up as Spiderman and hiding in the play house. The children enjoy using 'small world' toys, such as cars and garage, and take pleasure in completing a selection of puzzles and games. The childminder plans a variety of craft activities, for example, crayoning, using paint and small cars to make tracks on paper. Children are promoting their senses by feeling the texture of play putty and using scented crayons and paints. Children say "it smells like blackcurrant". Children are confident, independent and developing their self-esteem. They place their work in the kitchen to take home and share their experiences with the childminder, for example, when colouring, children say "pink is my favourite colour". They select their own activities and use the toilet

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and hand washing facilities independently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a busy, interesting environment for the children. She is developing a close relationship with them. She makes good use of smiles and facial expressions to create a friendly atmosphere which helps children to feel at ease. The childminder supports them well with their activities, for example, their painting. She values what children say and do and responds well to their interests for example, when making dressing up clothes available to them on request.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her recognise young children's developing skills and she provides them with appropriate play materials for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing good self-esteem because the childminder gives lots of praise, for example saying 'well done' for finding the mice in the picture and for closing the stair gate when accessing the toilet. Some of their toys introduce them to positive images depicting people of various cultures and people with differing abilities and disabilities. These resources raise children's awareness of the wider world through play experiences. Children have opportunities to learn about their local community by visiting the shops, park and church hall for their music mornings. Children are encouraged to share and take turns and are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong through the boundaries and explanations given by the childminder. Behaviour management strategies are discussed and agreed with parents to provide children with consistency.

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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 are treated as individuals, helping them to feel valued. Useful information is recorded about their specific needs, for example, the use of comforters. The childminder is aware some children may have additional needs and would ensure she is able to provide appropriate care to promote their welfare and overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets with the parents before minding commences to exchange and record appropriate information in regard to the children's individual needs. She liaises daily with parents to ensure that information recorded is current in order to continue to meet the needs of the individual children, for example, health and sleep patterns. Daily diaries for the younger children are used to promote useful two-way sharing of information, for example, children's food intake and nappy changes. Children's safety is promoted through the good use of consent letters, for example, permission to use the trampoline or go on outings. The childminder is aware of the need to have a system in place to respond to or record any complaints that may be made about her practice, to fully promote children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised, welcoming environment. Space is organised so children can play freely, eat and rest in comfort, contributing to their well-being. Parent's wishes are sought and respected, to ensure appropriate care is provided. The children benefit from the childminder's experience of raising her own family. Children are well supervised and have developed good relations with the childminder. A student from Norwich City College is currently on placement with the childminder and has settled well into the provision. The childminder states she enjoys discussing new ideas with her.

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Organisation

Checks have been completed to ensure that persons living or working in the household are suitable. Required documentation is in place which helps to promote children's health, safety and welfare. An accurate register of attendance is kept to make sure children are safe and ratios are maintained. The children's times of arrival and departure are recorded. The childminder shares records with the parents, promoting close working relationships and continuity of care for children. The childminder displays her registration certificate in the playroom for parents to see. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop resources to promote positive awareness of equal opportunity and disability and improve the information she shares with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has been able to purchase further play equipment, for example, dolls, books, puzzles and DVD’s that reflect diversity. The childminder now shares sufficient documentation and records with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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

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 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 knowledge and understanding of child protection including the local procedures and ensure current documentation is available.

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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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