Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335630 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Lynda Jean Smith 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 2006. She lives with her partner and child aged one in Ipswich, Suffolk. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house 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 a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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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 an environment which is clean and hygienic. The good health of children is actively promoted by the beneficial hygiene practices in place, with the childminder ensuring all the surfaces in her home are clean, toys and equipment are washed regularly. Children are successfully protected from the spread of illness and infection as the childminder has a clear policy about the exclusion of children who may be ill, which is shared with parents. The childminder takes proactive measures if they become ill while in her care by contacting parents so that they can be collected. Older children are beginning to learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. The childminder encourages them to understand the importance of washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating to maintain their good health. Good nappy changing routines further protect babies from cross contamination of infection

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Helping children to be healthy

with the childminder using disposable gloves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's healthy growth and development is effectively promoted by the childminder as she gathers information from parents about any dietary needs they have and provides accordingly. They are provided with a wide variety of nutritious food and drinks which are essential for their good health. Children are beginning to learn about foods which are important for their growth when having fruit for snacks. Their individual rest and sleeping patterns are followed with babies sleeping comfortably in a travel cot ensuring they have the energy to enjoy and sustain their play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is supported and encouraged. They enjoy daily walks or run around outside in the garden to benefit from regular fresh air and exercise. They play with balls which develops their kicking, throwing and catching skills and older children benefit from more challenging climbing equipment when they visit local play parks and toddler groups. Children's fine manipulative skills are developing when they use a range of tools such as scissors, paint brushes and play dough cutters in their craft activities. They enjoy squeezing and rolling the play dough with their hands.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe home environment. Children benefit from the childminder's continuing vigilance to safety with regular risk assessments being made to protect them from accidents and hazards. Dangerous substances such as cleaning materials and medicines are inaccessible to children. Babies are kept safe as they are securely strapped into the high chair when having snacks and regular checks are made on sleeping children. They are well protected from small toy pieces as the childminder supervises them while they play. Children have access to the outside play area that is well maintained, fenced and gated to ensure that they cannot leave the garden unsupervised. They are safe when on outings as they are closely supervised and young children are securely strapped into buggies. Older children have a very good understanding of keeping themselves safe as they talk and practise road

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety when out walking with the childminder. Children are effectively protected in the event

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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 of a fire as there are full written emergency escape plans in place available in the home and smoke alarms on both floors. Older children have a clear understanding of the evacuation procedures as they practise the fire drill with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from the range of safe toys and resources provided which are presented at child height in the lounge on shelves and in boxes. Their safety is protected through the well-maintained furniture and equipment which are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder regularly checks toys and removes any damaged items from use to protect children from injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is suitably safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has a clear policy in place which she discusses with parents. The childminder has applied to undertake child protection training next year which will increase her knowledge. She has a sound understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of toys and resources. The childminder plans a range of activities which provides opportunities to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities, such as going on outings to the local park to use the climbing equipment and toddler groups to meet their friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creative development is successfully encouraged through a range of craft activities when they are enjoy drawing, cutting and sticking and make models such as spiders for Halloween and rockets for bonfire night. Children are developing their independence skills as they are able to freely access the toys stored around the lounge at child height. Their language is developing as the childminder spends time talking and listening to them, often extending their understanding of colours and shapes. Children enjoy listening to stories and looking at books both with the childminder and on their own. Children's mathematical skills are developing as they weigh and measure the ingredients during cooking activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are building positive relationships and developing their self-esteem as the childminder is interested and responsive to them, she gets down on the floor with them and joins in with their role play games, such as when making dinner out of play dough. Younger children are beginning to benefit from the childminder's improving knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which she has started to read and is beginning to use when planning future activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are well cared for by the childminder who invests time getting to know their likes, dislikes and backgrounds. Their individual needs are well met as the childminder gathers information from the parents about their daily routine, such as following their sleeping and eating patterns from home. Children have some

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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 opportunities to experience the wider world through outings in the local community. Their understanding of similarities and differences is beginning to develop when playing with some toys and resources which offers positive images of diversity. Children enjoy craft activities such as making crescent moon pictures to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. The childminder has some understanding of the range of different needs children may have but is aware that her knowledge is limited to enable her to give appropriate care to children with disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children are beginning to learn about right and wrong through following the good examples set by the childminder. She is calm and respectful towards children, encouraging them to say 'please' and 'thank you' by saying it to them. Children's behaviour is good because they are given clear and realistic boundaries so that they know what is expected of them. Simple 'house rules' are in place and agreed boundaries discussed with parents. Children are learning to share and take turns. Young children's efforts to share are valued by the childminder as she gives lots of positive praise and encouragement, such as when playing with the train set. Behaviour is managed effectively in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. For example, young children are distracted from situations that may produce difficult behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Children's well-being and progress is promoted as the childminder has a good relationship with parents, which helps children feel secure. Parents are kept fully informed of the childminder's services as she provides them with a welcome file with copies of her policies and procedures. They benefit from the good methods of ongoing communication between the childminder and their parents. For example, the childminder gives daily feedback and gathers information from parents about their child, ensuring this is kept up to date and confidential. Daily diaries that are well recorded ensure that parents of very young children, in particular, know exactly the routines that their children have followed over the course of the day. These diaries pay particular attention to eating, sleeping and changing routines of children who are unable to communicate because of their age.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's organisation skills and her commitment to improving outcomes for children in her care. Their welfare and learning is enhanced because the childminder has the appropriate skills, experience and has a level three qualification in childcare. She shows a strong commitment to improving her knowledge by attending relevant courses and workshops. Children are well cared for and supported by the childminder as she makes good use of the space and resources in her home. They are able to access toys and equipment which the childminder gets ready for their arrival each day. She organises her home and toys to ensure children have free access and that all the necessary facilities are available. Children have continuing support from the childminder to feel secure and confident as she ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained. She ensures children are safe and protected from

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Organisation

any adult who has not been vetted, supervising them closely when on outings.

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Organisation

A wide range of organised relevant documentation, which includes a thorough working set of policies and procedures, helps the childminder to work effectively and has a positive impact on the care children receive. She has a clear understanding of the importance of keeping her

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 paperwork in good order and confidential. A registration system showing when children are attending is in place, however, on the day of inspection this was not accurate.

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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 an action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 that the register is an accurate record of children's attendance • continue to develop knowledge and understanding of disabilities to promote the welfare of children with special needs.

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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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