Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332026 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2006 Inspection date Sally Ann Hubbard 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and seven months old in the town of Downham Market in Norfolk. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding six children, one of whom attends on a full-time basis. She attends the local toddler group, takes children to the local library, park and on other outings. The childminder has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is member of the local childminding group who are called ‘Nar Valley Kiddie Carers’ and 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 keeping healthy because they are encouraged to wash their hands at meal times and after using the toilet. They learn why they need to do this as the childminder talks to them about germs and how they might get a ‘poorly tummy’. Children are well protected from any risk of cross infection as they all dry their hands on separate disposable towels. When changing their nappies the childminder uses a disposable mat for each child and all her toys are regularly cleaned. Children's medical needs are well met; the childminder is trained to administer first aid and has permission to seek emergency medical aid. She has thorough procedures for outings, for example, she always carries her first aid kit and list of emergency numbers for the children with her when she goes out and about. Records in respect of accidents and medicine administration are all in place, clear and readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy snack of cheese and carrot and the childminder offers children different snacks to give them a variety. They learn why their food is good for them because the childminder discusses this with them at snack and meal times. Children have free access to their drinks, therefore they are beginning to recognise their own needs and have a drink when they are thirsty. The childminder appropriately protects children with any allergies as she asks for good information from parents and keeps a record of this on children’s forms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being taken on regular trips and outings by the childminder, for example, they go for many walks in the local area and visit the library. They also enjoy the times when they meet other children cared for by childminders because they take part in different activities together. Children enjoy being physically active indoors; they move freely around the room and play with a good range of equipment. Their smaller physical skills are appropriately developed with the use of puzzles, creative activities and construction toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome in the childminders’ house. She gets ready for her day by making sure the toys are readily available, for example, children access a range of suitable puzzles because these are laid out on a low table where they can reach them. An informative notice board give parents information about the childminder's insurance and qualifications as the certificates are clearly displayed. The premises are suitably clean and safe and are warm, welcoming and homely, enabling children to settle well and feel secure. Children freely choose and play with a good range of toys and resources to cover the different areas of learning. These are stored within their reach and the childminder makes sure they are safe and suitable. She checks to see that they conform to British Safety Standards and makes sure none are damaged, broken or unsafe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely at the childminder’s house because she has appropriate safety measures in place and a good awareness of how to minimise hazards to children. For example, the front door is secured and cupboard locks and safety gates are in place. Regular checks ensure these measures remain in place. Children sleep upstairs where they can rest undisturbed and a camera system linked to a downstairs monitor is in place. This enables the childminder to supervise children playing downstairs and watch the sleeping children. When they wake up she gets them up straight away so they do not become upset. Children learn how to get out of the house

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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 safely in an emergency because most of them have practised the emergency evacuation procedure. However, although the childminder has a fire blanket in place this is not easily accessible should it be needed in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further protected because the childminder has awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has attended relevant training and has the referral chart and information booklet to hand. She keeps the appropriate contact number readily available and wouldn’t hesitate to take suitable action. She would speak to parents, seek advice or refer any concerns as necessary because the protection of the children is her main priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, well settled and confident in the childminder’s home. They enjoy playing with a good range and variety of toys, resources and creative activities that the childminder prepares for them. The toys and activities cover all areas of learning and the childminder has sound awareness of how young children learn and develop. Children are kind and show care towards other children, for example, they are gentle when giving the baby a cuddle. Children are well supported as they play; the childminder sits and plays with them asking them questions, for example, about the pictures in the book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very good relationships and interact well with the childminder. Children are praised for their achievements, which helps them to gain confidence and self esteem. She teaches children about right and wrong by giving them a good example to follow and explaining what is expected of them. Children really enjoy playing with the puzzles and giving pieces to the baby. They communicate well and are very chatty, talking to the childminder all the time as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of ‘Birth to three matters’ and is intending to use this to further promote the development of the younger children in her care. She keeps a record of what activities children have been doing during the day to share with parents when they come to collect them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are appropriately met by the childminder because she asks for detailed information about them. All children play with any of the toys and resources and take part in activities. Children are helped to learn about our diverse society because they have suitable resources available to support this. They have positive images available in their everyday play. The childminder can recognise and is aware that some children may have special needs. She ensures that good communication and efficient exchange of information with parents enables her to meet children’s ongoing needs. All children are included and involved in activities at an appropriate level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well; they have good role models to follow and their behaviour is positively managed by the childminder. She has developed a positive policy and set of simple rules which are shared with parents. The childminder is patient and calm and encourages children to have good manners. Children are praised, for example, when they help to tidy away the toys or are kind to others.

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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 benefit greatly because the childminder has developed good relationships with parents. She provides them with a detailed brochure and polices about her childminding service. Parents know what their children have been doing through the day because they are given sheets with important details on. They also have time to exchange information with the childminder when they collect their children. Parents know how to make their concerns known to the childminder. However she has not yet set up a system for recording any she might receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare and well-being is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder does not leave them with anyone who has not been vetted. All adults in the household have had relevant checks to ensure they are suitable. Children are well supervised and the childminder has suitable qualifications.

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Organisation

Children benefit because the childminder is very well organised and prepared for her childminding day. The childminder has appropriate experience and she has good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and how she can meet these. She uses her knowledge to plan suitable activities and to provide good quality care for the children. She keeps all the required records and these are readily available should she need them quickly. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration.

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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): • think about where the fire blanket is positioned so that it is easy to access if needed in an emergency • set up a system for recording any complaints that may be received.

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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 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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