Watkins, Nicola Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 154976 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Andrea Caroline Snowden

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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?

This childminder has been registered since June 2000. She lives with her partner and their daughter aged four years, in the town of Thetford. The whole house is used for childminding purposes, except the second bedroom which is excluded from the registration. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll attending on a part time basis. None of these children have special needs or speak English as an additional language.

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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 The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. There are no pets on the premises.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very aware of their personal hygiene and they talk to the childminder about washing the germs away before eating. In addition to this there are effective procedures in place to ensure children are not at risk from infection and hygiene standards are good. However, children's welfare may be compromised in an emergency as the childminder does not have permission to seek emergency medical treatment. The first aid box does not meet the standard and first aid training has lapsed, meaning that children may not be treated appropriately in the event of an accident. Children enjoy playing in the garden, which helps develop a positive attitude towards exercise. They use large equipment adeptly and dig in the sand. The garden provides children with other learning opportunities and they are intrigued by the nature garden and all the insects which live there. Children eat healthily and are learning in a fun way how good food helps the body

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Helping children to be healthy

develop and grow. The childminder shares rhymes such as 'You get muscles from eating brussels' and children help prepare their own lunches. This helps them to become enthusiastic about eating good foods, which otherwise may not appeal to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a home which is safe and secure and in which the childminder carries out regular risk assessments. She adapts the premises and introduces new boundaries as children grow to ensure they are kept safe. Children are learning about road safety as they discuss the Green Cross Code when crossing the road on the way to school. There are good emergency procedures in place, for example, fire drills are practised so that children become aware of safety issues in the home. The play equipment available to children is safe and clean and presented at a level where they can access it easily. They play independently without fear of injury. The childminder checks and cleans toys weekly to ensure that children are not at risk from broken equipment or infection from toys, which have been chewed by other children. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of her role in child protection issues and has the relevant documentation to support her in this process.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's developmental needs are well promoted as the childminder plans a daily routine based on themes such as 'under the water', which are interesting and meaningful to children. Children's choices are respected and plans carried out in line with children's moods on particular days. Children enjoy art work and craft activities and older children's early maths and reading skills are encouraged, through a range of challenging activities. Interaction with the children is good and the childminder uses a gentle voice, facial gestures and eye contact to communicate with the baby, helping her to feel secure and included. Older children are confident in helping themselves to activities, whilst learning that they need to ask for some equipment, which requires adult supervision. Children's skills are developed and extended by the childminder. They are encouraged to think through problems and are well supported in activities, for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example when the childminder demonstrates how to create a star from drawing two triangles. One child is delighted with the result and enjoys achieving this for herself.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about different cultures and religions. They play with a range of resources which reflect our diverse multicultural society and are involved in discussions with the childminder about celebrations from around the world. However, resources do not reflect positive images of disability and as a result children are not encouraged to recognise and understand disability issues. The childminder ensures that activities presented to children are appropriate for their age and that they can be adapted to meet the stages of development and ability for individual children. This means all the children can participate. Children benefit from an effective partnership with parents, which promotes continuity of care for the child. Regular reviews with parents and daily diaries noting children's food intake, sleep patterns and activities help ensure parents are fully informed of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their children's day. There is some written information for parents in the form of policies to ensure they are aware of how the setting works for their child. Children's self esteem is promoted through regular praise. They are encouraged to help and support each other and to take care of their environment. Simple house rules set clear boundaries for children and they know what behaviour is expected of them. Strategies used to manage children's behaviour are appropriate to the individual child and help them to learn right from wrong.

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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 The children benefit from a well qualified childminder who is committed to improving the quality of the care and education provided to children in her setting. The setting is warm and welcoming and children are happy and settled in their routine. The organisation of the setting is effective in ensuring children are stimulated with equipment and enjoy activities at their own pace. Their social development is further promoted through attendance at toddler groups and they are learning about the world around them, for example through local outings to feed the ducks and to the garden centre. The required record keeping is in place and shared with parents where appropriate. This ensures children's safety and welfare and enables the childminder to meet their individual needs effectively.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide smoke alarms on each level of the house, ensure behaviour management strategies took into account individual children's needs and provide parents with details of outings. There are smoke alarms on both levels in the house ensuring that early warning is received of fire and children can be safely evacuated. The behaviour management strategies observed during this inspection were appropriate to the needs of each child and their level of understanding, helping them to learn right from wrong. Written consent is sought from parents to take children on trips, ensuring that parent's wishes are observed and children's welfare maintained.

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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):

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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 • provide resources which help children to learn about disability issues • ensure your first aid training and equipment is updated and that you obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment

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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

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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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