Gates, Coral

Inspection report for early years provision

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251079 Unique Reference Number 31 July 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 1995. She lives with her partner and son aged 14 in Bury St Edmunds. The whole of the property 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding five children all on a part time basis. She is also registered to provide overnight care. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends the local parent and toddler groups, takes children to the local park, adventure play area and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early years qualification and has had training in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has joined a local childminding network. She has achieved the Suffolk Quality Assurance Scheme.

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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 clean and comfortable home where they are encouraged to follow simple good health and hygiene practices. 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. They are reminded of the importance of using soap to wash away any germs and even very young children are encouraged to use wipes. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains the appropriate information from parents about children's individual health care needs and all written consents are in place to support this. The childminder has attended first aid training and has accurate 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 their views and provide their children with healthy snacks, to include fruit and vegetables. The childminder holds a current food hygiene certificate and she prepares a wide variety of food to provide each child with a balanced diet. Children enjoyed their lunch of cheese sandwiches, mini sausages, banana and grapes. The childminder works with parents to ensure meals for babies are consistent with food provided at home. Children have constant access to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated and smaller children have their beakers replenished regularly by the childminder. All children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual routines and an upstairs bedroom with a clean and comfortable cot as well as a travel cot is available. Sleeping children are frequently checked and a monitor system is also used for babies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They regularly play in the safe enclosed garden with access to a good range of equipment which includes ride-on toys, footballs and a playhouse. Babies have plenty of space indoors to pull themselves up and move around safely, and 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 which gives them a 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 indoor and outdoor environment, where they move about freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. The risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has taken positive steps to reduce possible risks, for example, fitting cupboard and drawer locks in the kitchen and using safety gates to exclude children from the stairs when necessary. Fire safety precautions are in place and the childminder has considered the emergency evacuation procedures, however she has not yet devised an emergency escape plan to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are stored either in the living room or in the children's bedroom upstairs and the childminder encourages the children to choose for themselves toys that interest and motivate them. The childminder supervises children's play to ensure that toys are used appropriately and are suitable for the ages of children attending.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has attended child protection training to ensure she is aware of the procedures to follow if she has a concern. These procedures are shared with parents and the childminder is aware of the need to maintain a written record of any existing injuries to further promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and very well settled in the warm and welcoming environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her accurate knowledge of child development. Children build confidence and self-esteem through the development of warm close relationships with the childminder, who is very responsive to their needs and promotes their interests through the available resources. The childminder gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play, supporting the development of their language and curiosity with open-ended questions. She promotes 'tiny talk' sign language to empower children with the ability to express themselves without the necessity to use spoken language. Children are given plenty of opportunities to develop their social skills as they go out to the park, library or take part in a selection of local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated to learn and interested in what they do because the childminder provides a wide range of planned activities starting with the children's interests. Children frequently enjoy craft, cooking, painting and play dough which ensures all areas of development are promoted and met. Children have access to a large selection of books that helps them to develop a love of books and opportunities to spend quiet times with the childminder. Children confidently ask questions and use their initiative to satisfy their curiosity and help solve problems.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's needs are well met by the warm gentle approach of the childminder. She reflects aspects of 'Birth to three matters' in her good practice. Babies have access to natural resources which they use to explore textures, to develop their curiosity. The childminder encourages their communication skills by patiently listening and responding to their questions so they understand their views are valued. She is alert to their need for consistency and believes in offering plenty of one to one time. Photographs are successfully displayed in an album to share her knowledge of children's development within each of the aspects.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a 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 are learning to become confident and independent. The childminder has several resources reflecting diversity and discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help them develop an understanding of others.

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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 undertaken specific training and considered how environment and activities are 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

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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 to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge through further training in order to accommodate individual children's needs and to promote their welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are able to share all 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. Information is shared, either via a daily diary or verbally, on a daily basis, regarding children's meals and daily routines to ensure their changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder is aware of her duty to make parents aware of how to make a complaint and she knows to log complaints, if necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for extremely well by a motivated and experienced childminder who organises her day very well in order to provide a rich balance of activities both indoors and outdoors. Children are very happy and secure as they receive good 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 holds a professional childcare qualification, that supports and underpins her very good practice. Children thrive in this well organised child-friendly environment, they are secure and confident and clearly benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with them and the details of her registration. Honest self-evaluation allows the childminder to reflect upon her own practice. Recent updates have been 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 made available at the time of inspection. All children's details are stored securely and confidentially and the childminder ensures children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now regularly checks the contents of her first aid box and removes or replaces items as necessary. All contents now suitable and in-date at time of inspection. As a result children's health and safety remains fully promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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): • devise an emergency escape plan, to further increase children's knowledge of what to do in the event of a fire.

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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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