Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY300885 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and children aged one and three in a residential area of Norwich. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with the exception of the master bedroom and office 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child on Mondays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog.

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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 the childminder gathers relevant information from their parents to enable her to respond appropriately to their needs. If children become unwell in her care she assesses their condition and calls parents to agree the best action to take. The childminder understands what to do in the event of an accident as she holds a current first aid certificate. However, the contents of her first aid box are not up-to-date to enable her to treat children appropriately in an emergency. Children are learning how to manage their personal hygiene effectively. They understand the need to wash their hands after playing in the garden, before eating and after using the toilet. Little ones use a step to reach the hand basin and enjoy using the liquid soap to make sure their hands are clean. Appropriate procedures minimise the risk of passing on infections. For example, children have individual hand towels, disposable gloves

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Helping children to be healthy

are used for nappy changing and children have their own bedding for use in the cot. Hygiene around the care of the dog is good to prevent the children becoming unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of snacks and meals that meet their dietary requirements and encourage healthy eating. They sit together to have their snack eating fruit flakes, savoury biscuits or fresh fruit. Meals of pasta, salad or sandwiches are prepared using fresh produce and take into account any allergies or special dietary requirements notified by parents. Babies are cuddled to be fed their bottle and little ones, learning to feed themselves, are supported to ensure they remain safe and eat enough. Children drink frequently as their beakers are readily available and the childminder makes sure they are refilled regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are frequently active and are learning how their bodies work. They move around the home well manoeuvring around furniture as they use sit and ride toys or take the dolls for a walk in the buggies. The garden is used to run and play with balls, ride on toys or find out how to use the slide. Trips to local parks enable children to use a range of other equipment and extend these skills under supervision. Children are learning the benefits of routine exercise as they walk to a range of local facilities. When they are tired children rest according to their individual needs. Little ones sleep peacefully in a travel cot upstairs and older children can rest on the comfortable furniture in the conservatory or lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive a warm welcome into a comfortable family home. The conservatory is used as a play room being bright and attractive with a good range of activities easily available for the children to make their own choices. Children play happily in the conservatory using the lounge for quieter activities. They use the kitchen, under the supervision of the childminder, and older ones independently trot off to the downstairs cloakroom as they require. Children often use the rear garden when weather permits; it is flat, secure and well maintained with easy access from the conservatory. Children play with a good range of resources that cover all areas of development. They confidently select toys from storage boxes and baskets helping them learn

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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 become independent. The childminder monitors what is chosen to make sure it is safe and appropriate to their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken some action to minimise risks to children in her home. She makes sure the premises are secure so children cannot leave without supervision and unauthorised persons cannot gain entry. Stair gates are used to prevent children’s access to the stairs or unsupervised access to the kitchen and potentially dangerous products are kept out of the reach of the children. However, the fire blanket is not fitted in the kitchen to be readily available for use and she has not sufficiently considered the risk of upstairs windows being unlocked when children are sleeping in the bedroom. Children are learning about how to keep themselves safe; they practise road safety when out for a walk and are encouraged to help tidy up to prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder knows about child protection issues and the action she should take if she has concerns to make sure children remain safe. However, she does not have the current guidance to further her understanding of the procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled. They enjoy a satisfactory range of activities to help them make progress in all areas of their development. During free play children make many of their own choices and the childminder supports them sensitively in their play. For example, they decide to have a ‘tea party’ so find out the cups and saucers and decide who is going to have which cake. This leads to conversations about what they eat with the childminder encouraging language development as they play. Children pour water from their beakers into the play kettle and she gives a gentle reminder that this is not appropriate as there is a battery and it could be dangerous. With this discussion she is helping children with their understanding of how things work and safety. Settling down to share a book is popular as is playing with the dolls in the buggies and building towers and considering their size. Children enjoy acting out real life

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences as they go ‘shopping’ filling their baskets with play foods and taking a handbag with them. Making chocolate cornflake cakes was a favourite activity and children explain how they mixed them up and tried the mixture. Trips to the park, school runs and to local shops give children a range of experiences in the local environment. Meeting up with friends and attending a parent and toddler group also gives them opportunities for social play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning right from wrong as the childminder intervenes appropriately to help them. For example, she finds more cameras so they may all ‘take a photo’ and not argue and explains to little ones that they must share as friends have come to play. Good relationships are developing. The children are very comfortable in the care of the childminder. They listen to her and often sit closely, on her lap or enjoy a cuddle.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, independent and developing self-esteem. They are treated as individuals as the childminder knows them well and respects their personality and stage of development. Children are developing an understanding of valuing and respecting differences as the childminder introduces them to different people in their local neighbourhood and to the wider multi-cultural society through a range of resources. The childminder has not yet been approached to care for children from a range of cultures, religions or with a learning difficulty or a disability. However, in discussion, she displays a clear understanding of how to work with parents and be flexible to meet individual needs. Children’s behaviour is good. This is because the childminder is a positive role model. She is calm and consistent in her expectations explaining to children when their behaviour is not as expected so they can understand. Praise and encouragement is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

used effectively to promote self-esteem and encourage cooperation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a sound partnership with parents. Some written policies are shared with them at registration so they understand the service that is provided for their children. This is supported by a flexible settling-in procedure so all may become happy with the relationship in their own time. Parents express satisfaction with the care of their children and state they are well informed on a daily basis to maintain their child’s welfare. The childminder has not had any complaints but has a system in place to investigate and log any that may be received in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s safety is promoted as relevant checks have been completed on the childminder and her husband and she always supervises them to prevent inappropriate access to persons who have not been vetted. The childminder has completed the relevant training and maintains a current first aid certificate as is required. She is aware of ‘Birth to three matters’ and is interested in the training to help her develop the service for the younger children. Children use the space within the home freely. They play happily in the conservatory and lounge and know they only go into the kitchen if supervised. Meals are enjoyed at the dining table, little ones rest quietly in an upstairs bedroom and the garden is easily available for outside play. Children’s care is enhanced as the childminder is organised to be available to work with them and support their play. All the required documentation is in place to make sure the children are cared for

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Organisation

appropriately and according to their parents 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

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 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 child protection understanding by obtaining and following the guidance in 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' • improve safety for children by fitting the fire blanket in the kitchen, updating the first aid equipment to current standards and securing the upstairs windows if a child is using a bedroom to sleep.

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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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