Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333313 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Susan Cox 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 1998. She moved to Norfolk and, after a short break, registered again in May 2006. She lives with her husband and children aged 10 and 12 in a village near the Norfolk coast. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with access to the upstairs bathroom. 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 and is currently minding three children at various times. She also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder uses a car to transport children. She attends the local childminder support group. The family has a dog, cat and rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education and is working towards Level 3.

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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 as relevant information is obtained from their parents for the childminder to be able to meet their needs. If they become unwell in her care their health is assessed and their parents are consulted to agree the best action to take. The childminder is updating her first aid training to ensure she can respond appropriately to help children in the event of an accident. Children are learning to manage their personal hygiene with the younger ones receiving appropriate support. Before eating, their hands are cleaned with wet wipes to avoid an extra trip upstairs to the bathroom. However, when children wash their hands after using the toilet they share a towel which does not minimise the risks of passing on infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of home cooked meals that cater for their dietary needs. Preparing fresh meals enables the childminder to make sure they are nutritious and fresh produce helps promote healthy eating. Children understand what they will have to eat as the menu is displayed; older children comment on the ‘lovely smell’ as they arrive after school to find meals such as a chicken casserole or shepherds pie cooking. Children learn more about foods that are good for them as they help with the shopping, cook cakes or biscuits and older ones sometimes help to prepare their snack. Babies are fed according to their individual routine as agreed with their parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are often active. They play in the garden with a range of bikes, scooters, balls and other equipment giving them opportunity to find out how their bodies work. Climbing skills are practised during visits to the park and in poor weather they remain active indoors, for example, taking part in an obstacle course in the lounge. When they are tired they rest comfortably with younger ones using a travel cot in the lounge or older children relaxing on the sofa in the playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children receive a warm welcome into a comfortable family home. The playroom is particularly attractive with a variety of posters and children’s work displayed to make this a chid-centred area. Older children understand that they play downstairs and only go upstairs to use the bathroom; they are learning to respect boundaries. Children practise road safety when they go out and about and understand the importance of following clear instructions to leave the premises safely in an emergency. As a result they are learning about how to keep themselves safe in preparation for future independence. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to keep children safe. She makes sure her home and garden are secure, supervises the children well and ensures contact with the pets is safe and hygiene is maintained. The childminder is preparing a risk assessment to share with parents in the event of taking the minded children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to a very good range of resources. Many are stored in clearly labelled boxes, on shelves or within their reach to encourage them to make their own choices. The

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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 childminder monitors what is chosen to make sure it is safe and appropriate for the children’s age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended recent training so she is up to date with current procedures and has the relevant contact numbers readily available. A clear written policy is shared with parents so they are aware of her duty to report concerns to make sure children remain safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a good range of activities in the home and garden. Free play enables them to choose what they enjoy doing and find resources to develop their interests. For example, children concentrate and play well with the till console; they handle and count the money, scan the notes and call for assistance on the microphone acting out their shopping experiences. A variety of craft activities helps them with their creative development. They proudly show and talk about the Halloween witches, spiders and bats they have coloured and a large collage of a tree shows how they used hand prints to make leaves. Children are learning about their local environment. They find out about the local fishermen, the lifeboats and visit a windmill and lighthouse. Trips to places such as Wroxham Barns and an indoor play centre increase their experiences and give further learning opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing secure relationships. They are relaxed and comfortable in the care of the childminder who responds to them sensitively. They chatter freely knowing she will listen to them and value what they say and do. Children are learning how to express their wishes and recognise their own needs. For example, a child explains about feeling tired and wanting to watch a video. This is found, the child chooses a blanket and settles comfortably on the sofa with the childminder. Children’s behaviour is good. They understand the 'golden rules’ and are given gentle reminders when needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder understands their personality and stage of development and considers this in the sensitive manner in which she works to meet their needs. Although she has not been approached to work with children from a range of cultures or religions, since registering in Norfolk, she has a clear understanding of how to include all children and help them learn about diversity. Children play freely with resources that reflect our multi-cultural society and help them learn about festivals around the world. An inclusive approach enables all to take part in the full range of activities with a willingness to adapt to meet any special needs and work with others to support the children. Looking at Braille books and thinking about how people adapt to a disability helps increase children’s understanding and awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are effectively learning how to manage their behaviour. They are well supported by the childminder who has a sensitive behaviour management policy and implements this well.

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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 The policy is shared with parents so all may work together to help children learn what is appropriate. The childminder is a very positive role model; she is calm and consistent in her expectations using gentle reminders such as showing the ‘golden rules’ to help children understand and modify their behaviour when needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the flexible settling-in procedure. This is supported by a very clear set of policies that helps all parents understand the service that is offered for their children. A daily exchange of information keeps all well informed and time can be arranged to discuss special issues to ensure children’s needs are effectively met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s safety is promoted as the relevant checks have been carried out on the childminder and her husband. She ensures children are always well supervised to prevent inappropriate access to persons who have not been vetted. The childminder shows a commitment to developing her knowledge and understanding. She has taken NVQ Level 2, is about to complete NVQ Level 3 and has attended several short courses to effectively develop her service. To support the care of the younger children she has attended some training in the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and hopes to develop this more fully with the little ones. Children confidently use the premises understanding where they can play. They are well supported as the childminder is organised, for example, she prepares the meal before the children arrive leaving her free to work with them. All the required documentation is in place to ensure children are cared for appropriately

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Organisation

and according to their parent’s wishes. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the 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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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

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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): • reconsider how children dry their hands to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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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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