Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 149140 Inspection date 17 May 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 has been registered for five years. she lives with her husband and two children aged 5 years and 8 years. They live in a house in Stevenage and are within walking distance to local schools, shops, parks and other amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding. The master bedroom and upstairs bathroom are the only first floor rooms used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on various days and one under 8

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 years and one over 8 years of age after school. The childminder drives to local schools to collect children. She attends the local childminder support group, in which children attend. She does not offer overnight care. The family have a pet cat and dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association. She holds the Herts. Quality Standard award. .

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home, where through good hygiene practices they learn about personal care, such as washing hands after using the toilet and before meals. They also learn about care and hygiene practices in relation to animals, through good role modelling by the childminder in the care of the family pets. Children are developing a good understanding of a healthy diet, through the meals and snacks provided. The childminder takes account of parents wishes, through discussion and the showing of sample menu's, that clearly show a variety of meals and snacks that are nutritious and appealing to children, as well as taking into account any dietary requirements. The childminder prepares meals for children who are vegetarian, showing good awareness of children's individuals dietary needs. Children are encouraged to try new fruits and vegetables to extend their dietary

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

pallet. For example, the childminder asked a child what vegetables they liked as they were watching a TV programme that was using vegetables for printing. The child recognised the vegetables in the programme, and said she did not like vegetables. Through discussion the childminder was increasing children's awareness of healthy eating. Children are very secure in the knowledge that they can ask for food and drinks to satisfy their appetite. Children are actively involved in a variety of activities both inside and outside so that their physical needs are met. They enjoy running and climbing in the park, building sand castles, doing jigsaws and taking part in free play within the childminder in the home and garden. Children's health and wellbeing is promote through good, comprehensive records used by the childminder. This includes a sickness policy with clear guidance of exclusions times if children are sick or have diarrhoea. Should a child be taken ill

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

whilst in the childminders care, then they are made comfortable and parents contacted. This ensures cross infection is kept to a minimum. Parents are contacted if the childminder feels medication is required to seek consent. She has the relevant permission plus forms for recording incidents, accidents and giving of medication.

p.3

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 The childminder has a very good understanding of keeping children healthy and safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimized. This includes safety awareness when out with the childminder, where she practices the Green Cross Code with the children. They are learning the importance of road safety when they walk to school or the park. Children move freely between the house and garden, where there is plenty of space to play and explore in a safe environment. Children are encouraged in taking themselves to the toilet, putting on their coats for outdoor play; this enables their independent skills to be developed. The childminder offers support and assistance when required. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection procedures and is very clear about her responsibilities to protect children from harm. This has been achieved through training and reading required documentation. She has a policy in place which

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she shares with parents. However, this needs to be clearer in its details of how she would respond to any concerns for a child's welfare.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are extremely well settled and happy in the childminders home. They have formed an excellent relationship that enables them to feel safe and secure. This was evident when a minded child got upset at having some one strange in the house. The childminder explained who the visitor was and reassured the child that everything was alright. When the child had calmed down a bit they went to the front door and magically sent the tears away and came in with a happy face. This showed the childminder being very in tune and having a good awareness of the child's needs. The childminder uses idea's from other resources, sample time table to show the extensive variety of play and learning opportunities she has avaible to the children. The children are encouraged to move freely around the home and garden playing with the very varied selection of play materials, such as books, out door equipment,

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as well as being encouraged to explore nature, such as looking at spiders in a bug box, creating sand castles, playing with toys in a water tray. They use their imagination in pretend play, small world play, as well as developing their creative skills in music and art and craft activities. This is an area the childminder wishes to develop more for the children. There was a lot of conversation between the children and the childminder, this again proved what a strong and secure relationship they have with each other. This was evident when they were watching the television programme , where they discussed colours and types of vegetables. This enabled children to express themselves freely,

p.4

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 learn about colours and vegetables, which all help to extend areas of children learning and development. The childminder clearly makes time to listen to the children, which shows she gives important consideration to the children needs whilst in her care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world and community in which we live through good resources provided by the childminder. They use play materials, books, posters, and discussion about topics that may have been covered at school that the children wish to continue exploring. Children with a particular special need can be cared for. The childminder has ably adapted resources and activities to meet children's individual needs when required, and always works closely with the parents. All the children have been involved in understanding why some people's needs are different to theirs, and the importance of being valued and respected as an individual. This is also carried out in behaviour management and learning good social skills, as well as how we treat each other. The children all learn about what is acceptable and what is not. Children benefit from the secure and good working relationship that the childminder

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

has with the parents of the children she minds. There is good verbal communication in place which contributes to the children's continuity of care. Parents have access to her portfolio that is filled with informative and relevant information about her practice, polices and guidance that she has in place. This enables parents to see the professional and caring service she offers for them and their children. In discussion it was felt that further development for sharing information with parents, such as a weekly diary could be incorporated within her already extensive documentation system.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has comprehensive and excellent systems in place for the safe -keeping of all relevant documentation, clearly showing she is very organised and efficient. She is keen to keep updated with childcare practices through accessing good reading materials, thus enabling her to continue to expand her own knowledge and learning. She is eager to continue improving through ongoing training, which will enable her to further improve the care and facilities that she provides for children. The excellent organisation of this provision enables the childminder to offer children a secure and child centred environment, where play and learning can take place. There is a good structure in place, that is also flexible when required, assisting the childminder to meet all children's individual needs. The childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Organisation

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.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to complete a suitable first aid course that includes training for infants and young children. To ensure a separate incident book is used to record any concerns about a child. Ensure that any trailing phone wires are made secure or inaccessible to children. Obtain suitable consent from parents before administering any medication to children. The childminder has taken positive measures to ensure theses recommendations have been met. She has completed a recognised first aid course. She has a system in place for recording any incident, and has a sound knowledge to why this is important. Medication permission slips are in place and all trailing wires have been made safe.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

A concern was raised in relation to Standard 1 about the suitability of the childminder, following a significant incident on 4 October 2004 and Standard 14 with regard to record keeping. Ofsted investigated this concern by carrying out an unannounced visit on 6 October 2004. Three actions were raised following the visit, relating to Standard 14 to ensure that all written records are maintained, to provide Ofsted with written details of the significant incident and to ensure that Ofsted is always informed of all significant incidents at the earliest opportunity. Ofsted received a written response from the childminder and we are satisfied that the childminder has now met these actions. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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): • improve child protection information that is available to parents.

p.6

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 • develop systems for sharing children's information with parents.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.7

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.7