Studd Lindsey

Inspection report for early years provision

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251025 Unique Reference Number 22 August 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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her family in a village just outside Bury St Edmunds. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the office is used for childminding activities and the children's bedrooms on the first floor for play or sleeping. There is a secure enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder's home is close to local schools, playgroups and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of five children may attend at any one time. The childminder is currently looking after two children both of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has in place the necessary written policies and parental permission to promote children's health effectively. Children's health is further promoted as the childminder ensures

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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 that her home and resources are checked and cleaned regularly. The families pets are regularly treated for fleas and worms ensuring that children are protected from potential hazardous infections. Children are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene as they know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children visit local parks and activity centres regularly which effectively promotes their healthy growth and development. Children are provided with a range of resources and equipment in the garden to encourage physical play. Younger children sleep in a travel cot on the first floor in line with their home routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy food for meals and snacks which ensures that their health is well promoted. For example, children have tuna sandwiches, bread sticks, cheese cubes, then grapes, banana and yoghourt for lunch. Children are provided with regular drinks throughout the day ensuring that they have sufficient for their needs.

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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 welcoming, ready for children's arrival each day. She has the appropriate safety equipment in place to protect children from any hazards. For example, both the front and back doors is kept locked and the garden is secure, so children cannot leave unsupervised. The childminder checks all resources to ensure that they are suitable and that there are no hazards accessible to children. Children are encouraged to tidy up when they have finished playing with toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has written emergency escape plans to ensure that children's welfare and safety is given a high priority. The childminder has written procedures to follow in the event of any emergency to ensure that children's continued safety and well-being is a high priority. The childminder ensures that children remain safe when on outings as she ensures that the appropriate car seats are used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safeguarded as the childminder has attended training on safeguarding children procedures. She has a written policy in place which follows the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and includes local contact numbers. Children's safety and welfare is promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility should she be concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confidently play with the range of resources available. Children are able to select freely what they want to play with and the childminder ensures that the available resources are changed around, so that they have access to a variety of toys and resources. The children's creativity is given free reign as they enjoy taking part in a variety of art and craft activities. Children play well together as they play with dolls and small world resources, they share resources and chat freely with each other. Children are absorbed and persevere in their play which helps to develop their thinking and concentration.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder joins in with their play, she gets down to their level as they complete puzzles together. The childminder has attended training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She

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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 keeps a photographic record on the children which are colour coded around the four aspects of the framework which ensures they are provided with a broad range of play opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that all children are welcomed and included within the provision. She ensures that all relevant information is gathered from parents before minding starts. Children's understanding of the wider world is developed through a range of resources and through regular outings within the local community. The childminder works with parents to ensures that new children are able to settle so that they feel secure and content. The childminder has attended training to ensure that children with additional needs are included and that their needs can be met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has written policies on behaviour management which are shared with parents and she has a consistent approach when dealing with any negative behaviour. Children are encouraged to share and to play well together, enabling them to learn what is expected of them. The childminder keeps parents fully informed on their child's progress as she writes daily diaries on what the children have been doing when in her care. The childminder also keeps a photographic diary of activities and outings they have undertaken so that parents can see what their children have been doing whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have support from the childminder to feel secure and confident as she ensures that the required adult to child ratios are maintained. The childminder has many years experience of looking after children and holds appropriate early years qualifications to support children's ongoing progress and development. The childminder continues to attend relevant training to enhance her practice. Children are fully supported by the childminder as she makes effective use of the space and resources in her home. She organises her home and toys to ensure that children have free access to age-appropriate resources that meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has an extensive range of policies and procedures in place that benefit children's welfare and supports her good practice. The childminder ensures that she has all the relevant permission slips in place to maintain children's well-being. The childminder ensures that all relevant documentation is in place, however her attendance registers are not up-to-date. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that Ofsted is notified of any changes or significant events. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities and has put requests for any changes in writing to Ofsted which ensures that Ofsted are kept fully informed. She was asked to make the access of toys and equipment easier for children; these have all been moved and are now located in a cupboard in the hall which enables the children to easily choose what they wish to play with.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that the premises are secure; The childminder ensures that both the front and back doors are kept locked, there are bolts on both gates that lead to the property ensuring that children are unable to leave unsupervised. To request written parental

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Improvements 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 permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to ensure that parents give consent for any medication administered; the childminder has obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all minded children. She has prior written consent to administer any mediation and ensures that parents sign her record to acknowledge that medication has been administered ensuring that children's health and well-being is effectively promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop her knowledge on child protection issues; the childminder has attended safeguarding children training and has a written policy in place in line with the new Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The policy includes local contact numbers and clear steps for the childminder to take if she had concerns about a child in her care, this ensures that children's safety and welfare is safeguarded.

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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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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): • ensure that daily attendance registers are kept up-to-date in line with legislation.

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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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