Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY246450 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2006 Inspection date Melanie Calway 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 satisfactory. 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 in a village, near to King's Lynn, with her husband and two children aged four and 10. The whole of the house is used for childminding and an area of the garden is fully enclosed for outside play. She drives to take and collect children from the local school. The family have a dog, two cats and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding five children, one of whom attends on a full-time basis. The childminder regularly works with her husband as an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is currently working towards The Norfolk Quality Accreditation Scheme.

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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 stay healthy because there are satisfactory hygiene procedures in place. The premises are clean and well maintained. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and can use a downstairs toilet, which is equipped with a step stool to develop their independence. Children are encouraged to dispose of tissues. Young children are given clean flannels to wipe their hands after snack but not before to ensure that they have clean hands when eating. Towels in the bathroom are changed regularly but children do not have their own towels to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The childminder uses disposable gloves when changing nappies, which are dealt with hygienically and disposed of appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are met as the childminder has a current first aid qualification and keeps a first aid kit in the kitchen cupboard so that she can deal with minor accidents and injuries appropriately. An accurate record of all accidents is maintained. The childminder ensures she has all the required information on children's record forms to be able to care for any medical needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a system for recording the administration of medicines. The childminder obtains prior verbal permission from parents and they sign to acknowledge that medication has been given. However, the childminder has not obtained prior written consent from parents for all children and this has resulted in a breech of regulations. Consent has not been obtained from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice so that she can seek help in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs. They can sleep in a travel cot in an upstairs bedroom. The childminder recognises when children are tired and shares information about routines with parents. Children have some opportunities for exercise and fresh air as they play in the garden if the weather is fine or go for occasional walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. Parents provide snacks and meals for younger children. The childminder offers an evening meal for some of the older children in her care, if parents want it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to access their drinks independently as their beaker is kept on a table within easy reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in premises which are safe and suitable. There are security systems in place. Doors are kept locked while children are present and access to the garden is prevented as side gates are locked. An area of the garden has been fenced off so that children can play safely outside and cannot access the large trampoline or pool in another part of the garden. The environment is made welcoming as there is a wide range of toys and equipment which are easily accessible to children in the conservatory and which they can bring into the living room

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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 to play with. Toys are all safe, clean and age-appropriate. The childminder discards any faulty items and looks for good quality toys when replacing items.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as the childminder supervises children well. She works at times with her husband as an assistant so that children benefit from extra supervision. Children can explore their environment safely as stair gates restrict access to upstairs and cupboards are fitted with child locks. Children begin to develop an awareness of safety issues because explanations are given, for example, the childminder explains that they need to be gentle with the dog and why they should not touch the radiator.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder takes her phone with her and a book, which has all the emergency contact numbers in. Children are kept in buggies or on reins to keep them safe, when walking, and the car is equipped with the necessary booster seats. The childminder records children's heights to ensure that she is meeting current seat belt regulations. All the necessary permissions for outings and transport have been obtained from parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed contingency plans to deal with certain emergencies. Children are protected from the risk of fire as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are fitted. She has a fire evacuation procedure which she occasionally practises with children so that they know what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her duty to report any child protection concerns. She has recently undertaken training to increase her knowledge in this area. However, she does not have all of the required information such as the government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' or the referral number for Social Services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are able to choose from a wide range of appropriate toys and equipment. The conservatory is fitted out with a good range of toys which are easily accessible to children. They enjoy playing with large construction blocks, small world play or the tool benches in the conservatory. Young children enjoy drawing at the table and play dough is available as they get older. After school children have a wide choice of games. The childminder rotates toys every four or five weeks to give children variety. In fine weather children can play outside on the climbing frame. Additional outside equipment is stored in the shed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder sits with children, at their level, and involves herself in their play, giving them smiles and eye contact and chatting to them to encourage their language development. Both her and her assistant show children plenty of affection. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they are given praise and encouragement. Children play happily throughout the morning and are settled and contented. Their independence is promoted as they choose what to play with and get their drinks for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children under three are cared for appropriately. They can explore their environment safely and are beginning to pull themselves up onto furniture and climb safely, supported by the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. They feel secure as they are given comfort and re-assurance. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack and has referred to it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder gathers good information from parents about their care. She gets to know the children well so that she can respond to their needs and is aware of their stage of development. They are beginning to learn about the wider world as some resources reflect other cultures and lifestyles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given appropriate support. Although she has no experience of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities she includes children wherever possible if she can meet their needs. She has attended training on caring for children with additional needs and would work with parents in order to care for children effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in the childminder's care as she has consistent boundaries so that children know what is expected of them. She has developed some simple house rules which are in her parents folder and displayed in the kitchen. Children are also given guidelines about how they should behave in the garden. With younger children she uses appropriate strategies such as distraction to manage their behaviour. Children are encouraged to behave well through the use of praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for effectively because she has a good relationship with parents. She provides useful information about her service in the form of a policy statement covering issues such as behaviour, food and transport. These are kept in a folder, together with insurance certificates, which is shown to parents when they start. There are good settling in procedures with children coming for three or four visits before staying. She exchanges information about children on a daily basis by chatting to parents as they collect. Anything significant that happens is recorded in a note book and shared with parents. She actively seeks parents views of her service and they express satisfaction. Parents are made aware of how to address any concern and a poster with Ofsted's number is displayed in the kitchen should they want to contact the regulator.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is a suitable person to care for children. She and her household have the necessary clearances and evidence of these is kept in a folder for parents to see. She attends training, when able, to update her knowledge and skills. She is seeking to develop and improve her practice by undertaking the Norfolk Quality Accreditation scheme.

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Organisation

The premises are well organised to ensure children's safety and well-being and to enable them to select toys independently. An accurate record of children's hours of attendance is kept.

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Organisation

Documentation is kept in an orderly manner but not all of the required paperwork is in place. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider positive strategies to manage children's behaviour. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a positive way and children behave well in her care. She was asked to develop her knowledge of child protection issues. She has undertaken training to increase her knowledge but does not have some of the required information such as the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' or the referral number and this will be a recommendation at this inspection. She was asked to ensure that documentation is correctly maintained and some aspects of documentation are still not accurate, for example, the medicine record and consent for emergency treatment or advice. This will be a recommendation at this inspection. She was asked to ensure the fire blanket is correctly installed. This is now attached to the door of the kitchen cupboard where it can be

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Improvements since the last inspection

easily accessed in the event of a fire. She was asked to record the times of children's arrival and departure. An accurate record of attendance is now kept.

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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 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 satisfactory. 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): • improve hygiene by encouraging all children to wipe or wash hands before they eat and by providing individual towels to minimise the risk of cross infection • obtain prior written consent to administer medicine and to seek emergency treatment or advice • obtain the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' and the referral number for Social Services.

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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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