Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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255957 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2007 Inspection date Georgina Emily Hobson Matthews 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two children, aged six and two years, in a house in Norwich, Norfolk, close to local schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding two children, who attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to all parts of her home other than the main bedroom. An enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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’s health is promoted satisfactorily and they are cared for in a warm and clean environment. They are protected from becoming ill as the childminder displays sound hygiene practice and has effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder can respond to accidents appropriately. She holds current first aid training and a first aid box is well-stocked and easily accessible. Appropriate measures are in place to care for children when they are ill. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal needs as they wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Cross-contamination from pets is safeguarded as children are supervised carefully when handling the family cat. Appropriate arrangements are in place for feeding and preventing the cat from fouling any areas used by the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder is conscious of providing nutritious options. She offers the children snacks and meals prepared with fresh vegetables and fruits and discusses the contents of packed lunches with parents. Children develop an awareness of healthy eating as the childminder talks to them about what foods are good for them and accesses information from healthy eating websites. Special dietary requirements are identified prior to the commencement of care to ensure that parents’ wishes and any religious needs are met and that no child is at risk from a reaction to food. Children are able to access drinks at all times and are encouraged to have regular sips throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a positive attitude to exercise as they walk to school each day and have opportunities to explore a variety of physical movements in the garden. They develop their co-ordination as they climb and slide and use a small see-saw. Large movement skills are honed as the children throw, catch and roll balls to knock down skittles. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs upstairs in a travel cot or on a sofa in the sitting room.

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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, secure and safe, indoor and outdoor environment. They have sufficient space for free movement and well-spread out activities and there is ample storage space for equipment. Children use a wide range of developmentally appropriate, safe and suitable equipment that is in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is fostered as the childminder carries out an ongoing risk assessment of her home to reduce hazards. However, the childminder has not fully assessed the potential hazards to children in relation to the horizontal balustrades on the first floor landing, the large trampoline and the low-level glass in the video cabinet in order to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with clear explanations about safety issues within the setting. Their awareness of fire and road safety is raised and they learn of how to stay safe in the sun.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in the area of child protection. She has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns and has systems in place to release children into the care of other adults in the event of an emergency.

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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 choose from a range of inviting and stimulating activities. They play at their own pace and access resources easily from low-level chests and tables. Children enjoy their play. They share lots of laughter and interact with simple phrases as they make rockets with a selection of cards, papers, stickers and streamers. They begin to recognise shapes such as triangles, circles and squares during this activity and as they play with a shape puzzle. The childminder responds to their words and sounds and repeats new words to develop their vocabulary. Children are keen to join in a singing time and sing songs with great gusto. During 'Row the boat', they join hands and move as they sing enthusiastically. Concentration is shown as the children complete jigsaws and listen to stories with the childminder. Imagination is developed and new ideas are explored as the children listen to the heartbeat of dolls and give them injections. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the concepts into the activities she provides for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. The childminder is gentle and affectionate with the children. As a result, this raises their confidence and self-esteem. She listens and responds to their wishes and offers them lots of support and encouragement. Children begin to communicate with each other. They use simple phrases as they play alongside each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging as inviting activities are set up around the main play room before the children arrive. They are treated with equal concern. Their individual needs are identified prior to the commencement of care and activities are adapted to accommodate their developmental needs. Children develop positive attitudes to diversity as the childminder includes images of the different people that make up our society within her resources. They become aware of their local community on trips to a local nature walk and parks. The childminder has an awareness of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand right from wrong as the childminder manages their behaviour in a sensitive, positive manner. She acts as a good role model and recognises the different emotions that children are feeling and helps them to manage these. The childminder is consistent and explains gently when behaviour is inappropriate. As a consequence, children learn to share, to take turns and to respect each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's ongoing progress is accommodated as the childminder shares information with parents regarding the children at the beginning and end of each day. Although she has set up a complaints book she has not considered how to record any future complaints relating to the national standards in order to fully inform parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the care of an appropriately vetted and experienced childminder. They are never left alone with anyone who is not vetted.

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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 childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children’s play. They are able to move around easily and safely and to access equipment in a well-prepared environment. Main play takes place in the sitting room where children can lie on the floor to explore large puzzles and construction or sit comfortably on sofas to look at books. A dining table and chairs are available for puzzles or games and a child-sized table for craft activities. The bathroom is on the first floor. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder notified Ofsted of the change of her childminding address. However, she did not advise of the changes in the persons over the age of 16 working or living in the household in order that appropriate checks could be completed to safeguard children's welfare. This is a breach of regulations. Documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children is organised and stored securely to ensure confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve the systems for dispensing the cat's food. In addition, she was asked to update and develop the written documentation for parents. In order to ensure children's well-being, she has set up systems to obtain written consents from parents and all foodstuffs for the cat are cleared away when children are at the setting.

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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 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): • minimise hazards to children with respect to the horizontal balustrades on the first floor landing, low-level glass and the large trampoline • develop the record for complaints relating to the National Standards • notify Ofsted of any changes in the persons over the age of 16 working or living in the household.

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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 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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