Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275084 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Nicola Mary Eileen Matthews 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 adult children in Sudbury, Suffolk. The whole ground floor and two bedrooms of the childminder’s house are 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 works with another registered childminder and they have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. This childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time of which two may be under one year. Together they are currently minding nine children under five on a part-time basis and two children over five before and after school. The co-childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The family have two cats.

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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's health is promoted well and cross infection is effectively minimised as the childminder follows excellent health and hygiene procedures. They are cared for in a warm and very clean home where children learn the importance of washing their hands after toileting and before meals. Children use individual flannels in the bathroom and enjoy cleaning their teeth after lunch each day which promotes their understanding of a healthy life style. Their minor medical emergencies are treated appropriately as the childminder has successfully completed a first aid course. However, parents have not given written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the future and some children's General Practitioners (GP) are not stated on their registration forms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and can access drinks throughout the day. They enjoy healthy, home made lunches such as marmite sandwiches and banana. Children's individual dietary needs are effectively met because their dietary requirements are discussed in detail prior to being looked after. Their food intake is documented clearly in the individual daily diaries and shared with the parents when they come to collect.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional needs are appropriately supported. They have built up a secure relationship with the childminder, who encourages them to express their feelings appropriately and develop respect and kindness towards each other. Children have their home routines acknowledged, such as sleeping and feeding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to develop their muscles for balance and co-ordination as they frequently play on the large equipment at the local park. They enjoy playing in the garden where they can energetically run around and experience fresh air.

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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 safe and welcoming environment where they can move about freely and independently. Their safety is promoted by a childminder who has a very good understanding of safety issues and has effectively made the new home safe. For example, a large tall stair gate has been put across the bottom of the stairs to ensure it fits well and children cannot pull it down. Children are learning to keep themselves safe when outside as they are encouraged to learn how to safely cross a road and the childminder gently reminds them of potential dangers as they move around the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of resources which are well maintained and frequently cleaned. They are given resources suitable for their age and stage of development for example, the younger ones are able to complete wooden inset trays and the older ones can play board games. Children safely play in the play room or lounge. They sleep upstairs using the two designated bedrooms, where they use either a cot or bed and are kept safe as a gate

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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 is used across the bedroom door to exclude the stairs and areas which are not part of the registration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. Children's parents are made aware of the childminder's duty to protect children at a preliminary meeting prior to childminding commencing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They are confident to be left with her and show good levels of interest in the activities and toys available. Children's independence is developing as they choose from a good selection of toys and activities which appeals to them and promotes their natural curiosity as learners. They explore their surroundings and enjoy playing imaginatively with the resources such as the train set concentrating on joining two carriages together and running them along a piece of track. Children show good levels of interest in the resources as they explore what they can do with them such as manipulating the jigsaw puzzle pieces to fit into the correct place. They enjoy creative play such as moulding play dough using tools to affect change such as rolling pins and scissors. Older children participate in craft activities and use their creative abilities to make doll faces out of wooden spoons and collages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder as they receive close contact when looking at books and listening to stories. They receive good support for their language development and counting skills as they are encouraged to point to the pictures and count the objects on the other side of the laminated sheet. Younger children talk confidently to the childminder who replies clearly to promote their early conversational skills. Children are encouraged to make links in their learning using the resources such as the train set and books that depict the same familiar character like Thomas the Tank Engine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children show good levels of confidence and a sense of belonging as they are comfortable with the routine of the day. They know what is happening so manage their behaviour accordingly such as, sitting on the sofas quietly to watch a favourite programme on the television such as Big Cook Little Cook.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They demonstrate good levels of trust and confidence in the childminder which ensures they settle quickly and enjoy their time with her. Children who find it difficult to stay benefit from the childminder's effective strategies to encourage a sense of belonging such as, giving them a toy to take home and bring back next time. Children are developing good independence as they choose what they want to do and are making a contribution to their own personal development as they begin to have control of

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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 their needs such as, toileting. Their daily routines and individual needs are recognised through regular discussion and the use of the daily diary with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about similarities and differences in others as they handle a range of play resources that show positive images of a multicultural society like the book about 'potty poems'. They take pride in their achievements such as completing jigsaw puzzles and want to show visitors what they have done. Children are learning about their local community when they visit the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good as the childminder has a clear understanding of the appropriate strategies to use to help children understand right from wrong especially sharing and taking turns amicably. Children take responsibility for what they want to play with most of the time and are learning to make social relationships as they play alongside each other independently or in adult organised groups for art and craft.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's parents are well informed of the childminder's practice as they are presented with clear and well presented information about her previous training to support her registration. Contracts are discussed and signed to ensure every one is happy with the arrangements. Parents speak highly of the childminder and show their appreciation by giving small presents of chocolates and sending cards of thanks as their child leaves the setting. Children are looked after appropriately according to their individual needs as their details are documented clearly on the registration forms. Information about the children's day with the childminder is passed on using a daily diary and informal conversations when the children are collected.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are effectively met as the childminder and her co-childminder organise their practice well and have an effective partnership with the parents. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining children's records and some necessary countersignatures and written parental permission has not been obtained. Children experience a safe, secure and stimulating environment as the childminder uses her knowledge of the individual child to adapt their routines. The childminder uses the space and resources well to promote children's overall development and sense of well-being. The parents are able to clearly see the registration certificate and public liability insurance document as they are displayed on the kitchen wall.

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Organisation

The standard of records is good however, some details have been overlooked. Detailed contracts are used to ensure everybody's expectations are recognised. Children's personal details are recorded and confidentially stored. This ensures each child is treated as an individual. The childminder has attended the relevant training to support her registration. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep an accurate record of attendances and practice the evacuation procedure. These have been successfully implemented ensuring the children's safety.

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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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any actions 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): • ensure all parents countersign administered medication records, give their written permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment in the future and nominate a General practitioner (GP) on their child's record forms.

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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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