Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338379 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2007 Inspection date Lesley Gadd 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and ten years in Diss in Norfolk. The downstairs area and one upstairs bedroom of the house is used for childminding 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She does not provide overnight care. The family have a hamster, fish and two Labrador dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder meets with other local childminders to keep herself up to date with developments in the early years field.

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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 well promoted. The childminder ensures she seeks clear information about children's dietary requirements and any allergies before children are left in her care by their parents to ensure their health needs are met. The childminder is aware of the correct procedures to follow in case of accidents and these are handled effectively. Children are cared for in a clean, warm, well-maintained home. They learn about the importance of hygiene and self-care through daily routines. They wash their hands after visiting the toilet to prevent them becoming ill. The childminder has devised appropriate policies concerning children who may fall ill to ensure they are well cared for and do not pose a health risk to other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding about healthy eating. They eat varied, healthy food at meal and snack times such as fresh fruit, vegetables and pasta. Children help themselves to a drink of water when needed and enjoy the warmth of a hot drink on cold days. Children are developing a positive awareness of why they need to eat well and where food is grown. They help to select produce at the local greengrocers discussing how fruit can provide good vitamins to help the body grow well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a positive range of active play experiences that foster their physical health. They use apparatus in the garden to stretch their large muscles and walk to and from school daily in the fresh air. Children enjoy outings to the local park and make the most of opportunities to hone their football skills as they kick, balance and chip the ball to each other. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the effect of exercise on their bodies. They comment on the need to warm up before exercising with jogging and star jumps to avoid injuring their muscles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest when needed to support their sense of well-being. Older children take opportunities to sit quietly and watch television after school and younger children have suitable facilities to sleep in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given positive consideration by the childminder. Policies and procedures are in place to reassure parents about what strategies the childminder uses to ensure the children are safe both indoors and outdoors. Relevant insurance is held, fire precautions are appropriately organised and an accurate register of attendance is held at all times. The outside trampoline is used by the children with parental consent and closely supervised by the childminder. The children are clear about the rules of conduct when using this high risk piece of outdoor equipment to ensure they remain safe. Children are learning to keep themselves and others safe. They practise road safety routines when walking to school and talk about how they may get out of the house in the event of a fire emergency.

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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 are warmly welcomed into a safe child-centred environment. They show a clear sense of belonging as they know where to place their bags and are keen to seek out the safe toys and equipment when returning from school. The childminder monitors the resources used to ensure they are suitable for the children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and protection is given generally suitable consideration. They are not left unattended and the childminder does not release children to others without parental permission. Members of the household are vetted and the childminder has an understanding of what she needs to do should she have a concern about a child in her care. Current child protection guidance is held, however contact numbers and information on whom to contact are not up to date or easily accessible. As a result there could be an unnecessary delay in children receiving prompt support in the event of any protection concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm, relaxed relationship with the childminder and are secure in her care. The childminder spends time getting to know the children and lets them choose activities they like to do after school. Children who show a keen interest in football are encouraged to practise their skills and others who are creative have opportunities to enjoy a range of craft activities. Children communicate well and the childminder listens to their requests. Older children are keen to tell visitors about their school day and negotiate well with friends about whose turn it is to use the play station and computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children join in with a broad range of pleasing indoor and outdoor activities that promote their all round development. Older children build with construction sets and show confidence in their use of technology. Children are learning about weight, measure and how things change as they enjoy cooking sessions with the childminder. Children are developing their knowledge about numbers and colour through books. Children enjoy dressing up and helping to tend the garden. Children are able to relax and talk with the childminder after school, enjoying the opportunity to socialise with friends and play games .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children receive a warm welcome and are respected in the childminder's care. The childminder gets down to the children's level when talking with them and gives them time to explain their wishes. Two children wanting to play football outside were given the opportunity to play indoors and outdoors despite the very cold weather. Children are beginning to learn about similarities and differences in the world around them and are tolerant of others. They enjoy opportunities to celebrate Chinese New Year with friends and play resources reflect a positive view of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has little experience of providing care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but is aware of children's developmental stages. Consequently she feels able to approach parents if she is concerned about children's progress and obtain appropriate support to ensure children's needs are met.

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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 Children are well behaved and the childminder encourages acceptable behaviour by praising them frequently. Children understand why inappropriate behaviour is unacceptable as the childminder talks with them giving clear explanations to ensure they grasp a strong sense of right and wrong. Children play together well with friends sharing a game on the play station.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care and welfare is suitably fostered as the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure their individual needs are met. Before children start to attend the childminder asks parents to inform her of any specific needs so she can accommodate these into her care of the children. A clear daily discussion on arrival and departure ensures that both parties remain fully informed about the children's care and activities. Written policies are available for parents about the service, including information about what to do should they have any concerns or complaints about the childminder. Parents comment positively about the childminder's care and particularly that their children like attending.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is generally well supported. The childminder has attended an introductory training course to develop her knowledge of how to care for young children and meets with other local childminders to keep her skills up to date.

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Organisation

Children have access to an organised, inviting home where they enjoy opportunities to be active, eat in comfort and take part in games and activities readily. Children select their own toys and make choices about activities as equipment is accessible promoting their independence. Children have time within the day to play quietly on their own with the childminder and with other children promoting their social skills.

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Organisation

The childminder has a range of relevant documentation in place to support the children's safety and well-being. Records are held about accidents, medicine administration and a policy folder for parents keeps them mostly informed about a range of matters in relation to the National Standards. Some detail about child protection matters is not easily accessible. 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 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): • update child protection records to include details of whom to contact and ensure they are easily accessible.

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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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