Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285366 Unique Reference Number 03 September 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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her husband in the town of Bury St. Edmunds. Most of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and 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 four 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. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the support of other local childminders and is a member of the National Childminding Association. 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they learn to follow simple good health and hygiene practices from an early age. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains most appropriate information from parents about individual children's health care needs. The childminder keeps written records of any accidents, which are countersigned by parents and she is aware of the procedures to follow if administering medication. An adequately stocked first aid kit is available and the childminder has attended first aid training to provide up to date knowledge of first aid and what to do in the event of a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows parents' wishes when providing meals and snacks, these take into account children's individual dietary needs and preferences. Most main meals are supplied by parents but the children often help to cook or prepare snacks with the childminder, they clearly enjoyed the cookies they had prepared for snack. Children have free access to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated. All children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual routines. An upstairs room is available for younger children and there are blankets and floor cushions or a sofa for older children, sleeping children are provided with individual, fresh bedding and checked frequently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They have access to a large garden where they can play football or use ride-on toys. The childminder often takes children for walks and to the local park. Babies have plenty of space indoors to pull themselves up and move around safely.

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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 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, ensuring knives and chemicals are not accessible to children and covering unused electric sockets with safety covers. Fire safety precautions such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. However, the childminder has not devised or practised an emergency escape plan to ensure everyone is aware what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are mainly stored in the lounge, which is a large open space used as the main play area. The childminder cleans and checks toys and equipment regularly. Resources are stored at child height, this enables children to self-select from the boxes. Children are learning about how to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder teaches them about road safety and they know to stay close. She also uses buggies, reins and appropriate car seats to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is conscious of her responsibilities to protect children, however, she does not have current information regarding possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect, nor the details of who to contact if she had a concern.

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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 are relaxed and content in the childminder's care. They form good relationships with her and respond well to her caring and encouraging manner. Children can independently access resources which enables them to self-select and play with toys and equipment according to their preferences. Children's confidence and self-esteem are promoted because the childminder praises their achievements and knows their likes and dislikes. The childminder's accurate knowledge of child development enables her to provide children with a range of activities to suit their needs and interests. She gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play; her open ended questions allow her to extend and consolidate learning. Children are able to enjoy their favourite activities and play imaginatively, for example, using the garage and cars or building with construction materials. Children confidently ask questions and use their initiative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to satisfy their curiosity and solve problems.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates that aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework can be met through her provision and good practice. She is fully aware of the differing needs of younger children and is able to provide activities to enhance and promote all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a sufficient sense of belonging as the childminder knows them and their families well and ensures they are all valued and included. Children have built stable relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. Children have equal access to toys and equipment that meet their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has some 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 positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a range of experience and is aware of how to adapt activities and the environment to ensure inclusion. The childminder works closely with parents to provide the individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is willing to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and is happy to undertake further training to accommodate an individual child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a sound understanding of responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model, she demonstrates a clear understanding of appropriate managing strategies and ensures they are developmentally appropriate. The childminder deals with behaviour in a calm and consistent manner and believes in rewarding good behaviour. Communication with parents enables any behavioural incidents to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained. A procedure is in place to record behaviour incidents, so any patterns of behaviour can be recognised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are able to share all the childminder's policies and procedures, information is provided to parents to ensure children are looked after according to their parents' wishes. Information is exchanged verbally each day to ensure children's changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder has built positive relationships with all parents. She makes parents aware of how they can make a complaint and is aware of her duty to log complaints and any procedures that will be followed, should she ever receive any.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder organises the house to provide a secure, welcoming and child-friendly environment in which children can take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Space and resources are reasonably organised to provide children with a balance of interesting activities. The childminder follows acceptable procedures to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder has a basic understanding of the National Standards which ensures children are adequately protected. Appropriate 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. The childminder has attended the relevant training to support her registration and is still keen to develop her knowledge and skills further. Children's needs are met by sufficient adult to child ratios and children mainly benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is adequately promoted by the documented information kept, this is organised to ensure children's personal details are kept confidential. A register is maintained, showing children's hours of attendance and all the required documentation is available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, to improve the standards of care, the childminder was required to: complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; improve safety by ensuring that the fire blanket is mounted, as recommended by the manufacturer, and that low-level glass panels are safe or inaccessible to children with particular reference to the stereo cabinet; obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their child and to take their child in her vehicle.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken positive steps towards all of the previous recommendations, she now holds a current first aid certificate and has written permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment and to take children in the vehicle contained within documentation supplied through the National Childminding Association. Consequently, children's health and safety is promoted and maintained. The childminder has mounted her fire blanket on the wall in the kitchen and this is easily accessible, this contributes to maintaining children's safety in the event of a fire. All low-level glass panels have been made safe by covering them with safety film and the doors to the stereo cabinet are certified safe, as the glass has been checked and meets the necessary British safety standard. Any safety risk to children is now minimised.

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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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Complaints 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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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise and practise an emergency escape plan • update knowledge and understanding regarding signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and who to contact if you are concerned about a child.

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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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