Gissing, Anita

Inspection report for early years provision

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251183 Unique Reference Number 19 July 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 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 12 in Kesgrave, Ipswich. The whole of the ground floor is 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, all of whom attend part-time. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools, she attends the local parent and toddler and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a cat, a rabbit and a fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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's health is well promoted because the childminder follows consistent procedures that are carefully maintained. Children wash their hands and attend to their personal needs well in the pleasant and accessible downstairs cloakroom using appealing child-friendly soap. The childminder explains to the children about germs which underpins their understanding of good hygiene practices. Good preventative measures are taken when providing personal care to protect children from cross-infection. The childminder provides clean face flannels for each child. Children receive good care if they have an accident as the childminder has first aid training and a well stocked first aid box is readily available. All accidents are recorded, however parents do not always sign the accident book when the child is collected which compromises children's safety. Children rest and sleep according to their needs in the well ventilated lounge. Individual

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Helping children to be healthy

blankets are provided for each child. Children are checked regularly to ensure they are safe and comfortable. A travel cot is available for younger children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs well met by the childminder who provides freshly prepared nutritious snacks. These feature fresh and dried fruit and occasional biscuits. Children's dietary requirements are recorded in written agreements from parents which ensures their individual needs are respected. Free access to drinks throughout the day ensure children remain well-hydrated at all times. Children have the benefit of daily fresh air and exercise as regular walks are part of their daily routine. They visit the local park, the beach and play in the secure garden where they enjoy an exciting range of activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely clean and homely environment that has been very well-organised to accommodate children. The premises are in an excellent state of repair and decoration. The environment is light, spacious and softly furnished to enable children to eat and play together comfortably. Excellent use of space enables children to use the playroom adjoining the kitchen. This ensures children are safe and feel secure. A broad range of safe equipment that is regularly checked supports the children's care, learning and play. Resources are laid out daily and the children are able to make choices about how to spend their time. The equipment is safe, clean and checked daily prior to children arriving. The resources are rotated to ensure that activities are of interest and consequently children are interested and motivated to play with the available toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is very well maintained by proactive steps taken by the childminder to minimise all potential risks. Daily risk assessments are conducted and the house and garden are secure. Preventative fire measures are taken and discussed with the children to minimise danger from fire and all requirements are in place. Children are taken out on trips in safe car seats with written permission from parents. Children are protected extremely well from potential harm as the childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and is vigilant and alert. Child protection procedures are comprehensively understood and the childminder is aware of her responsibilities A comprehensively written safeguarding policy is shared with parents prior to minding and local contact numbers are readily available should a concern arise.

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy an extremely wide range of play opportunities provided through very stimulating toys and activities. They build confidence and self-esteem through close relationships with the childminder who is intuitive of their needs. The childminder interacts with the children and supports their language development extremely well. She is interested in what children say and do and children confidently initiate conversation. They are clearly settled and secure in the known routine and thrive in the caring and organised environment. A broad range of resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development are available for them to choose from. These have been photographed and collated into a small album so that they can be easily accessed to remind children of available activities. Children enjoy puzzles, stories, dolls and dressing up clothes. Children develop excellent hand-eye coordination as they use pencils to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children attend a wide range of groups which encourages them to develop their social skills extremely well. They regularly attend music groups, toddler groups and visit the soft play centre where they meet other children and accomplish new skills. An exciting range of trips are planned by the childminder. These include going to the zoo, the beach and local activities such as story time at the local library. Children also enjoy cooking, play dough, printing and sand and water play. They make choices about how to spend their time from the many toys that are readily available and appropriate to their age and stage of development. This ensures that children can follow their particular interests and become thoroughly engrossed in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and have a good sense of belonging. Special toys and comforters help children feel settled and at home. Careful planning ensures that children have access to their preferred toys and resources which meets their individual needs well. The childminder knows children extremely well and provides a good routine in which children are extremely settled and secure. The children are starting to learn about diversity through resources that reflect positive images of people from different backgrounds. They learn about different customs through books, puzzles and dolls. Informative and detailed written agreements enable the childminder to prioritise their specific needs and respect parental wishes. The childminder would positively welcome a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities into her home. She has a relevant experience of meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or

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Helping children make a positive contribution

disabilities and understands the importance of working closely with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and shares information via daily discussions and using a home diary system according to parents' wishes. Good strategies are in place to diffuse minor situations such as the sharing of toys. Positive reinforcement encourages children to understand their good behaviour is valued. The childminder is sensitive to the children's needs which ensures that children are happy and their behaviour is good. Any incidents are dealt with in a firm and gentle manner and discussed with parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure individual needs are met and recorded in written agreements. Relevant and up to date information is displayed for parents on a portable notice board. The childminder has a positive working relationship with parents from which the children in her care truly benefit.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to provide a warm and welcoming environment and good balance of activities. Children are very happy and secure as they receive good care from the caring and knowledgeable childminder, who has had the necessary checks to ensure she is safe and suitable to care for children. The experienced childminder has attended a good range of courses which have given her a secure knowledge of children's development. High adult to child ratios are maintained at all times in order children are supported and can receive quality one to one time. The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the conditions of her registration. Clear policies ensure children are well cared for and underpin all aspects of practice. Attendance times are recorded clearly and are up to date. The documentation effectively promotes the welfare, care and

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Organisation

learning of the children and is stored securely. Overall children's needs are met.

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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.

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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 that parents sign the accident book when the child is collected.

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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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