Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY308768 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Eglinton 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 2005 and started minding in her own home which is in a village near to Great Yarmouth in 2007. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged six and 10 years. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden at the front of the property for outside 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 three children who are all aged under five years. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. The family have one dog and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association as well as a member of the Great Yarmouth Childminding Network.

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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 warm and clean environment where they benefit from good levels of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the home. For example, the childminder cleans all toys and equipment frequently and is a good role model to the children by washing her hands after she changes children’s nappies. However, although she cleans the nappy changing mat after every use, the wipes she uses are not fully effective in safeguarding against germs. Children are given their own individual towels which helps to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children from a young age learn about keeping themselves healthy through good daily routines, and appropriate expectations such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder implements effective health procedures such as operating a sick child procedure which includes appropriate exclusion periods if a child is suffering from a contagious illness. This prevents the spread of infectious ailments and serves to promote and protect children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she is able to give appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication which is clearly recorded. This ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s nutritional needs are well provided for and they have fruit and vegetables daily during snacks and meals. They enjoy healthy and well balanced home cooked meals which contribute towards keeping them healthy. Children’s individual drinking beakers are easily accessible and the childminder ensures these are always within easy reach of the children, including when they play outdoors. This enables children to become independent and helps them to take care of their personal needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute towards their health and develop their physical skills. For example, they have great fun using the rocking horse indoors and then use the sit-on train and practise using the trikes in the garden. Outings to the local park where there is large play equipment appropriate to the ages of the children, gives them further opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well organised environment which allows them to move around freely and play safely. Space is well organised and used effectively to allow children to become engaged in a varied range of activities. Children have ample room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable safe place to enjoy their meals. The childminder has made her home welcoming to children because she has displayed children’s creative work for all to see. This shows children that adults value their creative achievements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy playing with a varied range of good quality toys and equipment which are suitable for children’s stage of development. They are able to choose their favourite toys which are kept clean and visually checked to ensure they remain in good condition. This helps to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Toys and equipment are stored within easy reach of children so they can access them safely and easily.

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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 The childminder ensures children are well supervised while in her care to keep them safe and children benefit from a good range of safety measures within the home. For example, safety gates prevent access into the kitchen, and cushions are used to protect children from injuring themselves on the raised fire hearth. Young children learn simple safety rules that help them keep safe when playing. For example, the childminder reminds them why they should not attempt to climb onto the toy box, and children regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan. This helps children to become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues. She knows what action she needs to take if she has any concerns about a child in her care. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content, they enter the childminder’s house readily and with cheerful expectation, clearly enjoy each other’s company. Children play with a purpose and appropriate intervention by the childminder enables them to grapple with new challenges. For example, she sits with the children on the floor and encourages them to complete the puzzles by helping them recognise the pictures. They are helped to play the musical instruments by the childminder pointing out where they need to blow, so they can hear the sounds. Children are helped to feel good about themselves because the childminder praises their efforts and recognises their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities of developing their senses through active play experiences. For example, they concentrate well when exploring the finger paints and dip foam pieces into water, to make them stick on paper. Children are encouraged to listen to the sounds the musical instruments make such as the rain maker, and enjoy blowing the trumpet and harmonica. Children take great delight in blowing bubbles in the garden, and smelling different types of fresh fruit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very keen for the childminder to join them in their play and they enjoy sitting on her lap for cuddles while they listen to a story. This supports children’s emotional development and indicates that trusting relationships are being built. Children are given choices during their day, they decide if they have had enough of one activity, or choose to stay and repeat this once again. This enables young children to practise and consolidate their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very good opportunities of learning about their local environment. For instance, they have taken trips to a local wildlife park and visited a water garden. Children regularly attend local support groups where they socialise with other adults and children. This enables children to develop their social skills and offers them a wide range of stimulating activities to support their overall learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to participate in the activities provided which helps to ensure children have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. Children currently have less opportunities to learn about different lifestyles, disabilities and cultural practices through

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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 resources and activities. This means children’s awareness of the wider world is not sufficiently promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to demonstrate that she has good systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children are helped to learn social skills such as sharing and taking turns. For instance, they take turns blowing the bubbles and are learning to share the toys. The childminder manages children’s behaviour through distraction and simple explanations that are appropriate to the age and understanding of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are good. Parents provide the childminder with relevant information about their children and they are able to bring special comforters from home, which helps them settle more easily. The childminder uses daily feedback and completes a diary for parents which records children’s daily activities, food intake and sleep. This helps to establish continuity of care. Parents are well informed about the service because they are able to read the childminder’s written policies and procedures. This helps parents to make an informed choice.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is complying with all conditions of her registration. She is very clear about meeting the agreed ratio of children and is able to demonstrate her responsibility in respect of notification of changes. This helps to promote children’s welfare. The childminder is meeting the qualification requirements because she has maintained a first aid certificate, and has attended an introductory course for childminders. She also attends other training whenever she can. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder’s good organisation of the premises which provides them with sufficient space to play and access resources independently. Children feel at home and at ease, and daily routines provide children with opportunities to relax as well as be busy and actively occupied.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures guide the childminder is her daily practice. This ensures children’s needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care. All mandatory records are in place, kept in a confidential manner and are well maintained. This guarantees the safe and effective management of the setting in order to promote children’s welfare. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 the 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 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): • take further steps to promote the good health of children by improving procedures for cleaning the nappy changing mat • ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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