Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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256065 Unique Reference Number 02 March 2007 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 1993. She lives with her family which includes her three adult children in the town of Thetford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children, and takes children to the toy library, toddler group or for walks to the nearby park. The childminder keeps a dog as a pet.

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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’s health is promoted and they are encouraged to have good personal hygiene as they use wipes to clean their hands after toileting and before they eat. They learn why they need to do this because the childminder has discussions with them. Children are appropriately protected from risk of illness as the childminder has a clear policy in place for excluding children when they are sick. This policy is shared with parents. Generally the premises is adequately clean and food preparation tops are clean, however some areas are not sufficiently clean. For example, the edges of the floors, skirting boards and doors around the handles which could put children at risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s medical needs are appropriately met as the childminder has suitable records in place for recording medicines and accidents. She has permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children enjoy eating a healthy snack of banana, grapes and apple and sit at the table with the childminder as they eat this. Parents provide packed lunches for their children and the childminder helps children learn about healthy eating through discussions and looking at books about healthy food. Children can have a drink whenever they are thirsty as these are readily available to them. Children benefit from having regular physical exercise as they walk to and from school, to the toy library or when they go for walks to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed by the childminder and her home is prepared with toys and equipment readily available to help children quickly settle and feel at home. Children play with a good range of safe and suitable resources which the childminder ensures conform to appropriate safety standards. She likes to make sure the toys are safe and fun for the children. Children are well supervised as they play to keep them safe, and safety measures are in place around the house, such as socket covers and a stairgate. The childminder checks safety regularly, however, children’s safety is potentially compromised as the front door is not always secured and they could leave the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure. They also learn about safety when they are out and about, as the childminder teaches them about road safety and keeping together when crossing the road. Children are further protected as the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She attends regular courses to update her knowledge and she has the relevant contact numbers and information readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed, well settled and feel at home in the childminder’s house. They interact well with the childminder and have good relationships with her chattering away to her

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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 as they involve themselves in activities. Children enjoy playing with an appropriate range and variety of toys and resources that cover all areas of learning. The childminder borrows additional equipment from the toy library to supplement her own. Children particularly enjoy the gluing and excitedly show what they have done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently choose what they want to play with and build the train track with the childminder’s help. The childminder works with children and supports them as they play. They get individual attention, for example sitting on her lap to have stories read to them. She encourages them to develop the activities such as getting the battery operated train to carry things around the track, and questions children to make them think, for example, why the train stops when something heavy is put on it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to develop their independence and do things for themselves. They are given praise and encouragement which helps them build their self-esteem. The childminder is aware of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and is beginning to use this to help the development of the younger children she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to share toys, play fairly and be kind to each other. They all take part in any of the activities on offer and play with the available resources. The childminder uses a range of positive toys, resources and images to help children learn about our diverse society and respect others. Activities are appropriate for each child’s level so they can all enjoy taking part. The childminder is aware and can recognise if children need any additional support. She would always discuss any concerns with parents first so that they can consult with others as required. She would ensure she can meet the needs of all children in her care and would provide activities appropriate for each child’s needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn how to behave appropriately from a young age as the childminder is positive, calm and provides a good role model. She encourages children to be polite and to have good manners, for example, to say ‘please’ when they ask for something and ‘thank you’ when it is given to them. Children are learning to be responsible for their own behaviour as they help to set the childminder’s rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents and carers. She provides them with good information about her childminding and how she helps children develop and learn. It is because of these effective relationships that children are able to be well settled and feel secure in the childminder’s care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is safeguarded as all adults in the house have undergone checks to ensure they are suitable. The childminder does not leave children with anyone who has not been checked to further ensure they are appropriately protected. She has permission from parents to leave the children with her adult daughter if she needs to in an emergency. The childminder

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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 holds a childminding qualification. She regularly attends a wide variety of training courses and short workshops to help her develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her day to provide different activities for the children. Children have sufficient space to play and resources are available so they can choose what they want to do. The childminder meets the required ratios and keeps an accurate register of children’s attendance. She keeps the required records to support the safe management of the childminding service she offers. These are readily available but stored so as to maintain confidentiality, for example, each child has an individual folder for their forms. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to help children learn further about the benefits of good health and hygiene by discussing these issues with them and to update the contents of her first aid box. The childminder helps children learn about good health and hygiene by encouraging them to clean their hands after they use the toilet and before they eat. She discusses with them why they need to do this. Her first aid box contents have been updated so she can effectively deal with any minor accidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to develop and practise an emergency evacuation procedure. She has devised a procedure and has practised this with the children so they know how to get out of the house safely in the event of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In September 2006 Ofsted received information raising concerns relating to National Standard 11: Behaviour. Ofsted investigated by conducting an announced visit on 22 September 2006. Evidence showed that there was no breach of Standard 11, however Ofsted raised one recommendation to improve practice under National Standard 12; Working in partnership with parents and carers. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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):

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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 • ensure the premises is appropriately clean in all areas used by children • ensure the premises is kept secure while childminding.

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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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