Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336057 Unique Reference Number 01 May 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 2006. She lives with her partner and one child aged 16 months old 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 rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children, and sometimes takes children for walks to the nearby park or library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn to have good personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before they eat and after using the toilet. The childminder has discussions about needing to keep their hands clean to help them understand why they need to do this. Children are suitably protected from risk of illness as they do not attend if they are sick; the childminder discusses this with parents when they first come to see her. The childminder is able to meet children’s

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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 medical needs as she is trained to administer first aid. However, she does not have permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment therefore would not be able to respond appropriately in the event of a more serious accident. She keeps clear accident records, however, parents do not sign these to acknowledge they have been informed of any accidents that happen to their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can have a drink whenever they feel thirsty as their cups of drink are available on the side in the kitchen. They are becoming aware of their own needs. Children enjoy different healthy snacks that are provided by their parents and the childminder has fruit available if they want it. She cooks nutritious home prepared meals for the children and she makes sure she has appropriate information about their dietary needs and she is aware if they have any allergies. Children enjoy physical exercise as they walk with the childminder to and from school and nursery. They also enjoy playing in the childminder’s garden and going for trips to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome as they are greeted in person by the childminder. The premises are made welcoming as some toys and activities are prepared before the children arrive. Although the childminder is currently making some improvements to her home she keeps all areas of the house that are used by the children very clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy being able to freely choose the toys and resources they play with. These are all accessible and the childminder makes sure they conform to appropriate safety standards. Children have sufficient and suitable resources and equipment available for them to play with. Children play safely at the childminder’s house as she has identified and taken appropriate steps to minimise hazards, for example, she has a gate in place to prevent children from going upstairs. The premises are kept secure so children cannot leave and people cannot come in without the childminder knowing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan and has fire safety measures in place. These are tested regularly to ensure they work properly. However, children's safety is potentially compromised as the childminder has not practised the evacuation plan. Children’s welfare is further protected as the childminder has suitable knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the procedures to follow and puts the welfare of children first. Relevant referral information and contact numbers are readily available if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and well settled in the childminder’s care. The Childminder gets down and plays with the children and spends time talking and listening to them, this helps them develop their confidence and self-esteem. Children confidently ask the childminder if they need something and they have good relationships with, and respond well to her. The childminder is calm and very patient with the children; she provides a good role model and tries to teach them right from wrong. Children are appropriately supported as they play and the childminder teaches them to share and play fairly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy choosing toys from a satisfactory range of resources and equipment which helps them develop their independence appropriately. They all really enjoy drawing, painting and

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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 colouring in the masks they made earlier in the week. The younger children particularly enjoy running around chasing bubbles in the garden, laughing excitedly as they do this. Resources are readily available and the childminder uses the local library to supplement her equipment, for example, to give the children a wider variety of books to look at.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being able to share and play freely with the available toys and resources. The childminder ensures they can all take part in the activities and these are adapted for the younger children in her care. Sufficient information is gathered to enable the childminder to meet children’s individual needs. The childminder is aware and able to recognise that some children may have learning difficulties. She would provide activities and care appropriate to their needs. Any concerns about children’s development would always be discussed with parents first to enable the childminder to work closely with parents to meet children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well and any minor disputes are settled calmly with explanations given. Children learn to play together and to have good manners. They are provided with a good role model to follow because the childminder is calm and speaks quietly to them giving them appropriate explanations so they can begin to understand what behaviour is acceptable. The childminder is developing good relationships with the parents of the children she looks after and because of this children are well settled. She has appropriate processes in place for sharing information with parents, for example, she tells them what activities their children have been involved in during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are further protected and their welfare is safeguarded as they are not left alone with anyone who has not had appropriate checks. All household members have had checks completed to ensure they are suitable. The childminder is appropriately qualified enabling her to meet children’s needs. She is aware of how many children she can look after and therefore meets the required ratios.

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Organisation

All of the required records are in place and readily available for inspection. The childminder keeps an accurate record of children’s attendance in a National Childminding Association (NCMA) register. Overall children’s needs are met.

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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

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 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): • obtain written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary medical advice or treatment • ensure parents sign entries in the accident book • practise the emergency evacuation procedure.

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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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