Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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251182 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Deirdra Keating 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a small town near Ipswich. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to the local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved national childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted satisfactorily through sound procedures. Children are becoming aware of personal hygiene. They regularly wash their hands and the childminder uses wipes to

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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 ensure younger children's hands are kept clean. Preventative measures are taken when providing personal care to prevent children from cross-infection. Children receive appropriate care if they become ill and are made comfortable until they can be collected by parents. Written permission is obtained regarding emergency treatment and any medication requirements. The childminder keeps a written record of accidents which are countersigned by parents. An adequately stocked first aid kit is available, however the childminder's first aid certificate has recently expired which could compromise children's safety in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are sufficiently met. The childminder provides a range of snacks comprising of fresh and dried fruit and biscuits. Children's individual dietary requirements are recorded in written agreements which ensure their individual needs are respected. Packed lunches provided by parents are stored at the correct temperature. Free access to drinks stored at a low-level ensures children remain hydrated throughout the day. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs and are checked regularly to ensure they are safe. A travel cot is available in a quiet bedroom and older children use the comfortable sofa. Children have access to fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They play in the garden where they use prams and ride-on toys and enjoy regular walks to the local park. A range of apparatus enables children to develop their physical skills as they play in the park. The childminder takes children on

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Helping children to be healthy

planned trips where they have picnics and benefit from being out in the fresh air. Babies have plenty of space to pull themselves up and move around the furniture safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and suitable environment that is well maintained. The space is effectively organised to comfortably support children's care, learning and play. Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment which are rotated to ensure that their interest is maintained. Resources are stored on the floor and in low-level cupboards allowing children to self-select activities of their choice. The house is safe and secure with locks used to prevent access to certain rooms and keep children safe. Cupboard locks are fitted and stairgates are used to contain children in the safe and suitable environment. Good daily risk assessments of the house and garden ensure that hazards are effectively minimised and children remain safe at all times. The garden is well maintained and securely enclosed. Fire prevention equipment is in place and all requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are taken out with written permission from parents in safe and suitable car seats. Dangers such as crossing the road are discussed with children to ensure they remain safe on outings. The childminder has good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and has actively sourced information and training. She shares a clear policy with parents prior to admission to ensure that her responsibilities to keep children safe are comprehensively understood by all parties. Good clear guidelines are in place to ensure that the correct procedures are followed should the childminder become 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 happy and settled in the welcoming environment. They enjoy exploring the range of toys which are organised well to enable them to make choices about how to spend their time. The childminder is warm and intuitive to the needs of the children. Children have built up secure and trusting relationships with the childminder and her family and consequently are

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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 contented and settled. The children attend a number of groups each week which encourages them to develop their social skills well. Children enjoy varied activities including construction, dolls, dressing up and drawing. A good range of books promotes children's language development well. This is supported by the childminder who shares books and pictures with the children. She talks about colours and helps children develop their counting skills as they play with bricks. Children enjoy cooking, painting and water play which enables them to have concrete experiences that are stimulating and fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their physical skills well through a range of developmentally appropriate activities. They benefit from playing in the garden with a range of equipment including push-along toys and a swing. Younger children enjoy puzzles and develop good hand-eye coordination as they experiment with crayons. Older children use large scale apparatus at the local park where they develop their climbing skills and gain exercise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder knows children and their families well and ensures that each child is valued and included. Children have stable and positive relationships with the childminder who clearly respects their individual personalities. The childminder is proactive in finding out about children's likes and dislikes and discusses this prior to admission. Regular communication with parents ensures that individual needs continue to be met. Children have equal access to toys and equipment, however cultural diversity is not adequately represented in the range of toys available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She sources support and information and has experience of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities. The childminder understands the need to provide activities that are inclusive for all children and works closely with parents to meet individual needs. A verbal behaviour policy sets out clear expectations of behaviour and any incidents are recorded and shared with parents. Children understand the simple rules that are consistently implemented by the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of appropriate behaviour management and has undertaken specific training. Sensitive strategies that are suitable to the child's age and stage of development are consistently used. A calm approach is always taken and good behaviour is rewarded with praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that all individual needs are met and recorded in written agreements. Clear information is shared with parents at an initial meeting where individual settling-in procedures are discussed to meet the needs of each child. A daily exchange of information ensures parents can respond to children's needs as they arise. Flexible systems of communicating are provided for parents who may be short of time when collecting children from the childminder. A complaints policy outlines a clear procedure to follow should parents have a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home to provide a clean and comfortable child-friendly environment. The children can take part in a range of activities which supports their care, learning and play. Space and resources are organised adequately to provide children with a balance of interesting activities. Children's needs are met well by the good balance of adult to

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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 child ratios. Children benefit from good individual care and attention given by the experienced childminder. Children's well-being is positively promoted by the well kept documentation that is stored securely. Accurate registers are correctly maintained showing children's hours of attendance.

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Organisation

The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with the details of her registration. All adults have had necessary checks to ensure they are safe and suitable to be with children. The childminder has attended most training to support her registration. However, at the time of inspection she had failed to maintain a current first aid certificate which is a breach of Standard 1. This is reflected in the overall judgement of satisfactory.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to gain written parental permission to include the administration of creams. This has now been done and all consents are in place in order that children's health is not compromised. The childminder was also asked to review her resources to ensure that they represent some positive images of disability. The childminder has developed resources to include dolls and books that reflect some positive images of wider society which enables children to gain an understanding about their differences and similarities.

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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. 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 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): • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained • further develop resources to reflect cultural diversity.

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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 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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