Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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250940 Unique Reference Number 08 January 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 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 3 years in the town of Brandon in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor and the fourth bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She takes children for walks to the local country park. The childminder has one cat and some fish as pets. She 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 satisfactory. Children are learning about keeping themselves healthy because the childminder encourages them to have good personal hygiene. She always encourages them to wash their hands before they eat or after toileting. She talks to the children about germs making their 'tummies poorly' so they understand why they need to wash their hands. Children also learn about exercise and how this helps to keep them fit and healthy. The childminder explains that they need to warm up before they exercise so that their muscles do not hurt. Good hygiene ensures that children are protected from risk of cross-infection; they use soap and have a clean towel to dry their hands on. The childminder has information about communicable diseases and discusses with parents that she cannot look after children if they are ill to protect others. She can effectively meet children’s medical needs as she has permission to seek emergency medical advice or

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Helping children to be healthy

treatment in place for all the children in her care and she is trained to administer first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of different snacks, some of which are healthy and nutritious, for example, in the morning children have a biscuit and at other times they have fruit or breadsticks. They can have a drink whenever they feel thirsty as their drinks are available to them at all times and fresh water can be obtained from the fridge dispenser. The childminder cooks meals using fresh vegetables and ensures children have a balanced diet. Children enjoy regular opportunities for physical play in the childminder’s garden, which she uses as much as possible, and when they go for walks in the nearby country park. She has a variety of outdoor equipment to help them develop their physical skills and they particularly enjoy using the trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder makes her house welcoming and inviting for the children by getting toys and resources out ready for when they arrive. Children have sufficient space to play with their toys in the living room and space to do creative play in the kitchen. They play with a suitable range of resources and the childminder checks these as she gets them out and as children use them to make sure they are safe and not broken or damaged. There are sufficient in quantity for the children to play together and the childminder ensures her toys and resources conform to relevant safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential hazards around her house and she has taken appropriate steps to minimise these, for example, she has gate on the stairs, kitchen cupboards are secured and the garden pond is covered. She keeps her premises locked so that children cannot leave unaccompanied and others cannot enter without her knowing. Appropriate fire safety equipment is in place, for example smoke alarms and a fire blanket; however children’s safety is potentially compromised as they have not practised how they can get out of the house safely in an emergency. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when they go out and about with the childminder because she tells them about road safety and ensures they wear suitable restraints when they travel in the car.

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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 Children’s welfare is further safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care and has completed additional training to update her knowledge. She keeps all the relevant referral information and contact numbers readily available. She considers the protection of children as her top priority and wouldn’t hesitate to take the necessary steps to protect them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing with a suitable range and variety of toys and activities. They are very confident, relaxed, well settled and feel at home with the childminder. She has a good settling in process where children and their parents come to visit for short periods so that they can become familiar with her and their surroundings. She finds out about children’s individual routines so that she can help children to settle well by keeping to these. Children feel secure because she has a familiar basic routine for each day and they are encouraged to help, for example putting toys away when it is time for lunch. The childminder spends time playing with children and she gets down on the floor and becomes involved in their play. The range of resources enables children to develop in all areas. The childminder supports their learning as she talks to them asking them questions as they play asking them to name different colours

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently play with the toys and show good use of their imaginations as they develop a game with the small animals. They interact well with each other and the childminder and are taught to be polite and respectful to others. The childminder has the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework information and is beginning to use this to help the younger children make progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is kind and caring and she teaches the children to share and be kind to each other. All of the children play with all of the toys and resources and take part in the activities provided. Appropriate resources are available to reflect diversity and the childminder uses these to help the children learn about others and how people are different. She is able to meet children’s individual needs as she asks for sufficient information and she gets to know them and their parents well. The childminder is aware and can recognise that children may have learning difficulties. She discusses any issues with parents in the first instance so that appropriate action can be taken to help children. She would provide activities and resources appropriate for their needs to ensure all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they are given a good role model. The childminder gives children lots of praise and attention for appropriate behaviour and has clear boundaries in place. She has realistic expectations of how children behave and gives them explanations to further help their understanding. The childminder discusses this with parents and a verbal agreement enables the management of children’s behaviour to be consistent. The childminder has good relationships with parents and carers; she has a brief statement about the care and activities on her

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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 childminding contracts and has thorough discussions with them regarding children’s individual care and needs. Daily diaries will enable an effective exchange of information between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are appropriately protected while they are in the childminder’s care as all adults have undergone relevant checks to ensure they are suitable. Her assistant also has checks in place and the children are not left alone with anyone who has not been vetted. The childminder has suitable understanding of the National Standards and how she can meet them.

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Organisation

She is suitably qualified and uses her knowledge to organise her day and provide appropriate activities for the children. She is aware of how many children she is allowed to look after and keeps within her registered numbers. Records are all in place and are readily available, children’s information is filed. The attendance register is used to accurately record when children are present. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to renew her first aid qualification, she updated her qualification in November 2005 and now hold a current first aid certificate enabling her to deal appropriately with any accidents involving children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • request permission from parents, at the time of placement, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • devise and practise an emergency escape plan.

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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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