Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268571 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2005 Inspection date Susan Smith Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her baby aged 6 months, close to the centre of Ipswich. The lounge/diner on the ground floor of the childminder’s flat is used for childminding and the children will have access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and she takes children to the local library and to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has two cats and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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. She is an accredited member of the Suffolk Childminding Network although currently she does not have any children in receipt of funded nursery education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm environment and good hygiene routines help them to learn about the importance of washing hands before meals and after going to the toilet. If the children need to take any medicines the childminder has records in place to ensure the appropriate care is given. However, the childminder does not have a sick child policy and does not have written permission to seek medical treatment or advice in the case of an emergency. Children take part in a suitable range of activities that contribute to their health. They participate in outside activities most days to help them develop control of their bodies, for example they walk to the local school and park or ride on wheeled toys in the outside play area. The childminder has a box of physical activities she can offer on day when it is not possible to go outside, it includes skittles and soft sponge balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where most hazards have been identified and some risks minimised. Children are able to move around safely and independently under the supervision of the childminder. Children are developing an understanding of keeping themselves safe through the childminders use of clear boundaries and limits for example, children are not allowed in the kitchen because it is not safe and must not go up the stairs unaccompanied because they may hurt themselves. Children use a sufficient range of suitable and safe developmentally appropriate resources. Some are organised in child-height furniture to encourage independent access. However, many of the shelves are cluttered and this limits the children's ability to access resources safely. Children's overall welfare is maintained because the childminder has some understanding of her role in protecting children, for example she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

holds a current first aid certificate, however, she does not have a good understanding of child protection procedures set out by the Local Area Child Protection Committee.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to all. Whilst the childminder does not use the Birth to three matters framework, she offers activities such as singing, story telling and treasure baskets to promote younger children’s learning. All children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, such as listening and singing to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. music, sticking and gluing, completing puzzles, blowing bubbles and imaginary play with a computer keyboard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has knowledge of the Foundation Stage and of how children learn effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder would observe the child when they first start with her to ascertain their individual stage of development and plan interesting activities, which she would adapt to meet individual needs and interests. As a result, children will be motivated and make many links in their learning. However, the childminder has not developed her own assessment records to ensure that individual children's achievements are observed and recorded. The childminder has appropriate resources to meet the needs of funded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs, so that they can become confident and independent. They play with dressing up clothes which represent different members of society, helping them to learn about the world they live in. Children learn to behave well and understand what is expected of them through consistent routines and expectations. For example, they sit at the table to eat meals; and they are encouraged to complete tasks such as jigsaw puzzles. The childminder explains what she expects them to do in a way that they can understand and listens to them, so that they feel valued. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents to enhance their learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the childminders home with their needs being met by the good adult to child ratio. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning both indoors and out. Due to the redecoration of the kitchen, the play space available to children has become cluttered limiting the children ability to safely access resources.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping and has some procedures in place to promote the welfare and care of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively communicates with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder has attended some recent training and is undertaking a quality assurance scheme to help her develop her practice. The quality of nursery education is monitored through visits and observations from the network co-ordinator.

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Organisation

Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Organisation

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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it • develop knowledge and understanding of the local child protection committee procedure • ensure that children can access resources safetly

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • Devise and implement a system of assessing and recording children's achievements

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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