Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY275334 Unique Reference Number 29 May 2007 Inspection date Georgina Emily Hobson Matthews Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 14 and 12 years, in a house in Norwich, close to local schools and parks.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend at different times. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to all areas within the childminder's home and an enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well and they are protected from becoming ill. They are cared for in a warm and clean environment. The childminder displays sound hygiene practice and has effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection and to take appropriate measures if children are ill. Children actively learn the importance of personal hygiene and to take responsibility for their own personal needs. They are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting and outdoor play and before eating or preparing food. Their welfare is accommodated as the childminder can respond to accidents appropriately. She holds current first aid training and a first aid box is well-stocked and easily accessible. Cross-contamination from pets is safeguarded as children are supervised carefully when handling pets. Appropriate arrangements are in place for feeding and preventing animals from fouling any areas used by the children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to make healthy choices and are offered nutritious foods such as fresh fruit as part of snacks and meals. Special dietary requirements are identified prior to the commencement of care to ensure that parents’ wishes and any religious needs are met and that no child is at risk from a reaction to food.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to exercise and have lots of opportunities to explore a variety of physical movements. Good use is made of the enclosed garden. Children are able to run around freely in a grassed area where they develop skills as they throw, catch and manoeuvre small vehicles around. Children develop their confidence on equipment that provides challenge in a section of the garden that houses swings, climbing frames and a large trampoline. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe, indoor and outdoor environment. They have sufficient space for free movement and spread out activities and there is adequate storage space for equipment. Children use a wide range of developmentally appropriate, safe and suitable equipment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is fostered as the childminder carries out an ongoing risk assessment of her home to reduce hazards and to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. They learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with clear explanations about safety issues within the setting and outside. The childminder raises their awareness of road and fire safety, of how to stay safe in the sun and discusses safety procedures with the children prior to outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in the area of child protection and has updated her training recently. She has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns and has systems in place to release children into the care of other adults in the event of an emergency.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a varied range of activities. They are able to help themselves to resources that stimulate and challenge them from low level shelves in the playroom. These are brought into the sitting room and the children play individually or alongside each other, at their own pace. Children are able to take turns as they join in a game of skittles and set up a board game. They persevere and concentrate as they lace beads or make patterns on lacing cards. Imagination is displayed as they move characters and cars around in miniature world play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their play and show interest in what they do. They are encouraged to explore and investigate as they bake cakes. Children have marvellous fun as they help to weigh butter, flour and sugar and to recognise numbers on the scales. They are chatty and interested as they mix and sieve ingredients and crack eggs into bowls. The childminder is well-organised and encourages the children to understand concepts such as teamwork and to think about where the sugar has gone after mixing it with butter. Afterwards the children take responsibility as they clear up and wash and dry the cooking utensils.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and at ease in the childminder’s care. She works at their level and listens to the children’s news and ideas. She encourages children's independence and offers attentive care and ongoing praise. The childminder has accessed training in 'Birth to three matters' and improves outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with this framework.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the dedicated playroom displays an easily accessible and attractive range of resources for the children. Their individual needs are identified prior to the commencement of care. Children are treated equally and activities are adapted to accommodate their needs. They are developing positive attitudes to diversity as the childminder includes images of the different people that make up our society within her resources. Children become aware of the wider society and are able to explore their environment on outings to local parks, the beach, museums and to Pleasurewood Hills. The childminder has an awareness of caring for children with additional needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour and can distinguish between right and wrong. They generally behave well as the childminder usually uses positive behaviour management strategies that are appropriate to each child’s level of understanding and maturity. However, 'Time Out' is used very occasionally that potentially compromise children's welfare.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a comprehensive folder about her family and her policies and procedures to share with parents. Children's ongoing progress is accommodated as the childminder works closely with parents and provides opportunities at the beginning and end of each day to share information regarding the children. Parents' satisfaction is reflected in their positive feedback.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the care of an appropriately vetted and experienced childminder. They are never left alone with anyone who is not vetted. Children’s progress is enhanced as the childminder accesses childcare workshops to improve her practice.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children’s play. They are able to move around easily and safely and to access equipment in a well-prepared environment. Resources are stored in a dedicated play area and main play takes place in the sitting room. Sofas are available on which children may rest or look at books. A table and chairs is provided for board games and craft activities and a breakfast bar is situated in the kitchen for snacks and meals. A toilet is available on the ground floor and a large garden is accessed from the play room. Overall children’s needs are met.

p.5

Organisation

Documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children is well-organised and stored securely to ensure confidentiality.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to retain a record of the arrival and departure times of children; to organise resources more effectively; to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to obtain a list of the required contents of the first aid box. She has set up systems to maintain an accurate register and to obtain written consents from parents for emergency treatments. In addition, she has accessed training and reorganised her resources to accommodate children's play more effectively and to update her first aid box.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • use positive behaviour management strategies at all times.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6