Childminder, Out-of school day care in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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251231 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Deborah Kerry 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 for 20 years. She lives in Badley, near Needham Market. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities. There is a secure enclosed garden to the rear of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children under eight may attend at any one time and she is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder makes use of local amenities, these include playgroup, primary school, nursery, shops and walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted as the childminder has in place a written policy for sick children to ensure that their needs are a priority and that the risk of any infection spreading is minimised. The childminder has in place all the necessary written parental permission slips

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Helping children to be healthy

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 ensure that children's health needs are promoted. The childminder has clear procedures in place to promote children understanding of health and hygiene, as they are reminded to flush and wash their hands after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children sleep into a travel cot and the childminder ensures that each child has their own sheets to minimise the risk of any cross-infection. Older children can use the sofa in the dining room should they need to rest or sit quietly. Children have access to a secure outside play area with a range of equipment and resources to promote their healthy growth and development. The childminder takes children on regular outings within the local community. For example, they go for walks, shopping, to local play parks and to feed the ducks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide meals and snacks for children and the childminder ensures that these are all stored appropriately. Parents are encouraged to provide their children with healthy food. All children's dietary and health needs are recorded on their records to ensure that their needs can be met effectively by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that her home is safe and secure and protects children from any potential hazards. The childminder has in place the appropriate equipment to ensure that there are no risks to children. For example, all external doors are kept locked and there is a gate across the bottom of the stairs. The childminder ensures that children are properly supervised when using the secure, enclosed garden. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor which enables children to access them independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out regular checks on all resources and equipment to ensure that they are clean and that there are no dangers accessible to children. The childminder has good hygiene procedures around nappy changing in place, to prevent the risk of cross-infection. The childminder has devised emergency evacuation procedures to promote children's safety. However, these have not been practised with minded children. The childminder ensures that children's safety is a high priority when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended training on safeguarding children and is aware of her responsibilities should she have concerns for the welfare of a child in her care. She has a written policy on safeguarding children which includes local contact numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder takes time to get to know minded children well so that she can meet their needs effectively. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care, they enjoy looking at photos of themselves whilst sitting on her lap and receive cuddles. The childminder asks the children what they would like to do and provides a wide range of suitable resources within their reach. Children's imagination is developed and they play with role play resources as they 'make tea'. Children draw pictures to take home to share with their parents and match animals when playing dominoes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder extends children's learning and development through asking questions which helps to develop their thinking skills and promotes their understanding of numbers as children count and are able to recognise the numbers on the dominoes. The childminder provides

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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 appropriate support to children according to their needs when they choose puzzles to complete. The childminder uses ideas for activities for younger children from the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children and their parents are made welcome within the childminder's home. The childminder ensures that she discusses all children's individual needs with parents before minding begins so that the appropriate care can be given. The childminder ensures that all activities provided are suitable to children's individual needs and abilities. The childminder knows children well and takes time to listen to their needs and responds appropriately. Children are aware of the expected codes of behaviour and help to tidy away resources when they have finished. The childminder promotes good manners and uses positive praise for children's efforts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and keeps them fully informed about their child's day when in her care. The childminder writes daily diaries on children which is shared with parents and gives them a written record of their child's achievements. The childminder provides parents with written information about her childminding service so they can make effective choices when looking for care for their child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder records the arrival and departure times in her registers each day. The childminder keeps all documentation secure and most of it is in place and up to date. However, there is no written parental permission for transporting children in the childminder's vehicle. The childminder has many years experience of caring for children as a registered childminder which ensures that children are offered the appropriate support and care to meet their individual needs effectively.

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Organisation

The childminder organises toys and resources ready for children's arrival each day. They are set out on low shelves or boxes in the large kitchen which allows children to move around freely and safely. The childminder ensures that the correct ratios are adhered to at all times. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to record the times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder ensures that all children's arrival and departure times are recorded in her diary on a daily basis.

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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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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

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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): • practise the emergency evacuations plans with minded children periodically • obtain written parental permission for transporting children in the childminder's vehicle.

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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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