Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346650 Unique Reference Number 20 April 2007 Inspection date Karen Pretty 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 nine and six in Framlingham, Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor and the master bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding six children all on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local library, park, music group and castle. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of an approved childminding network and a local childminder support group.

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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 are cared for in a very clean and comfortable environment where they are encouraged to follow good health and hygiene practices from an early age. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains all the appropriate information from parents about children's individual health care needs and all the written consents are in place to support this. Children are given opportunities to develop their own knowledge about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder has attended first aid training and has effective procedures in place to record accidents. Children are protected from the spread of illness as the childminder has a clear policy in place, which she shares with parents, about the exclusion of children if they are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating as the childminder works with parents to support her views and provide their children with healthy snacks, which feature fruit and vegetables. The childminder holds a current food hygiene certificate, she prepares and cooks a wide variety of foods to provide each child with a balanced diet. A menu is displayed to share planned meals with children and parents. Children have constant access to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated, smaller children have their beakers replenished regularly by the childminder. All children can rest and sleep according to their individual routines, there is a travel cot for younger children and there is a sofa with plenty of cosy cushions for older children. Sleeping babies are provided with fresh linen and frequently checked.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They regularly play in the safe enclosed garden with access to ride-on toys, a tunnel and footballs. Babies have plenty of space indoors to pull themselves up and move around safely, the childminder provides a range of cause and effect toys to promote their physical development. Children frequently go with the childminder to the local park and to walk the family dog which gives them further opportunity to have the freedom to run around in the fresh air.

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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 secure environment, where they can move around freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. Children's safety is enhanced and the risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has taken effective steps to reduce possible risks. For example, fitting cupboard locks, excluding children from the stairs and using socket covers. However, children's safety could be compromised when playing outside, with regard to the current location of the hose pipe. Fire safety precautions such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. The childminder has developed a very successful emergency evacuation procedure to follow which is regularly practised with the children, written documentation is available to support this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are mainly stored in the lounge/diner which is used as the main playing area, the childminder cleans and checks toys and equipment regularly. All resources are stored at child-height, this enables children to self-select. Children are learning to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder teaches them about road safety and develops their awareness

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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 of 'stranger danger', they know to stay close. The childminder uses buggies to keep younger children safe. Appropriate sized car seats are used when transporting children in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and well promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children. Recent training and relevant up-to-date information ensures the childminder is confident and competent in following correct procedures and knows who to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy an excellent range of play opportunities provided through stimulating toys and activities. The childminder draws on her skills and knowledge to maintain and create resources that provide interest and challenge. Children build confidence and self-esteem through the development of warm and close relationships with the childminder who is very intuitive of their needs. The childminder constantly gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, consolidating and extending their language and curiosity with open ended questions. They attend a number of children's social groups which enhances their social skills extremely well. Children interact and ask questions as they share play opportunities with the childminder. They are motivated to learn and interested in what they do because the childminder provides a fantastic range of planned activities starting with the children's interests. Children relish their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

time as they enjoy craft, cooking, modelling and a wide range of construction materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A dynamic and exciting range of planned and spontaneous activities enable children to develop excellent physical skills, for example, trips to the local park and many cutting and sticking crafts. Equipment is replaced and rotated regularly to maintain interest and challenge. Children are very dextrous as they have many opportunities to draw, thread and use scissors. Children are actively encouraged to tidy away activities before starting something new, this encourages children to take responsibility for their actions. Each child is provided with an attractive and personalised developmental record which enables the childminder to identify children's learning and plan for their next step.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's needs are exceptionally well met by the warm and gentle childminder who plans exciting activities and reflects all aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her outstanding practice. Babies have access to natural resources which they can use to explore textures thus developing their curiosity. The childminder encourages their communication skills by patiently listening and responding to their questions so they know their views are valued. She is very alert to their need for consistency and believes in offering plenty of one to one time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a very good sense of belonging because the childminder knows them and their families well and ensures they are all valued and included. Children have built good relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. All children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has several resources reflecting diversity and discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help

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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 them develop an understanding of others. Planning documentation and photographs support implemented activities covering many different diverse celebrations and festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has considered how the environment and activities could be adapted to ensure inclusion. The childminder works very closely with parents to provide individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is willing to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and has already undertaken a selection of short courses which further enable her to accommodate an individual child's needs and promote their welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model and has a good understanding of appropriate managing strategies depending on their stage of development. The childminder deals with behaviour in a calm and consistent manner, she encourages self-discipline and respect for others. Regular communication with parents enables any behavioural changes to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained. Behaviour incidents are recorded in a book so any patterns of behaviour could be quickly recognised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are able to share all of the high quality written policies and procedures. Information is provided by parents to ensure their children are looked after according to their wishes. A positive relationship is built with parents from the beginning, as children are able to spend time settling in with their parents. Several letters from parents are available which highlight and praises the childminder's care and attention provided to their children. Information is shared verbally and via a written communication diary on a daily basis regarding children's meals and daily routines to ensure their changing needs are met and provide continuity of care. The childminder is aware of her duty to make parents aware of how they can make a complaint and she knows to log complaints, should she ever receive any.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for extremely well by a motivated and experienced childminder who organises her day superbly in order to provide a rich balance of activities both in and outside. Children are very happy and secure as they receive outstanding care and levels of support from the dedicated and knowledgeable childminder. The childminder has attended an extensive range of relevant training to support her registration and also holds a diploma in Home-based Childcare, which evidently supports and underpins her excellent practice. Children thrive in this brilliantly organised child-friendly environment, they are secure and confident and clearly highly benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the details of her registration. Extensive and honest self-evaluation allows the childminder to reflect upon her own practice. Accurate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted.

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Organisation

Recent updates have been comprehensively understood with relevant information displayed and made available to parents. A register is maintained, accurately showing children's actual hours of attendance and all required documentation was available at the time of inspection. The childminder has developed highly organised and meaningful policies and procedures which include over and above the required information to support her registration. All children's

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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 details are stored securely and confidentially and the childminder ensures children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes.

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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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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 children can play safely outside, with regard to the hose pipe.

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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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