Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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257990 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Ann London 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eleven years in a house to the North of Norwich, Norfolk. The house is within walking distance of local amenities. The childminder has use of a car to transport minded children. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding fifteen children, four of which are under eight years. All attend part-time, including before and after school care. During the inspection there are four children present, aged one, three, six and eleven years. The childminder uses her car or 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 and attends the local parent toddler group.

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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 outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are consistently and very well met. Accident and medication records are in place, parents' signatures and consents are obtained to ensure parents are well informed. Minor accidents are handled effectively as the childminder uses her knowledge of first aid and ensures well stocked first aid kits are easily accessible at all times. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance. For example, they know to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing in the garden and before food, and they learn about germs as they talk about keeping themselves clean. Liquid soap and paper towels are used and hygienic disposal of towels and tissues are discussed with the children. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

reduces the risk of cross-infection by ensuring that her home is always clean and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their skills in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. They enjoy activities in the garden, such as playing football, throwing and catching balls and running around. Children have regular opportunities to experience fresh air and use their bodies and energy. For example, daily walks, regular trips to the beach, and use of the various parks and local walks. Young children are developing their independence physically and emotionally. They are active and are becoming increasingly independent, acquiring control over their bodies and new physical skills. For example, young children have sufficient space to practise crawling, pulling themselves up on the sturdy furniture, to encourage control of body and movements. They attend activities that encourage their development, such as a childminder support group and a music group where children use

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Helping children to be healthy

additional resources in a controlled environment. Children are placed in cots for sleeping, which promotes their well-being. The travel cots is in the spare bedroom to ensure children have an undisturbed sleep. Individual bedding is used for the different children to prevent the spread of infection and cross-contamination. Older children fulfil their own needs with regard to rest, they can relax comfortably on the settees or cushions in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from good nutrition and understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The older children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating is promoted through discussion and cooking activities, such as making fruit kebabs for their snacks. Parents provide lunch boxes for their children and enjoy an excellent range of snacks many of which are provided by the childminder. The children visit a local produce shop for them to observe the process of how vegetables and some dairy products reach their plates. The childminder is happy and confident to meet individual dietary requirements for which she has obtained clear information from parents. She works closely with the parents to ensure that these requirements are met.

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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 warm, homely environment. The childminder has a suitable understanding of safety issues. Children have space to move around safely and freely as she has minimised risks to keep them free from harm. All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources which are mainly suitable for their ages and stages of development. However, the risk assessment to include the safe use of the trampoline by all children, needs further development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are

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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 regularly checked for hygiene and continue to be mainly safe for children to use. All children readily help themselves from the highly organised selection of interesting play equipment so they can follow their own interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is actively promoted as the childminder gives priority to maintaining a safe environment for children both at home and on outings. Children learn about road safety as they cross the road on their daily walks. As a consequence, they are learning to take some responsibility for their personal safety and show consideration for others. They practise the evacuation of the premises regularly, to ensure children are familiar with the procedure they would follow in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Required documents and procedures are in place and are consistently maintained to safeguard children's welfare. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and has attended training to update her knowledge and inform her practice. Children are closely monitored at all times and the childminder gives top priority to their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development which enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is suited to each child. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as singing songs and making music, making healthy snacks, painting and making individual creations to take home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Their early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they enthusiastically talk about what they are doing. They listen to each other when playing a game which requires observation and memory skills. Children are well motivated as they participate in the discussion about the play food and the different ways the food can be used. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider younger children as they play. The older children are able to begin an activity before school and continue with the project on their return. This encourages children to develop skills of completing activities and seeing projects through to their end.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses the documents carefully when planning activities to develop children's interests and skills. The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. Children participate in a wide range of activities and themes which extend their knowledge. For example, they collect feathers and leaves on their walks and use them in their collage art work. Children are able to demonstrate what they know as the childminder uses skilful questioning to make them think. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed and included in the provision. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world

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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 and to help children understand differences and similarities. For example, children use books and play with characters from different cultures. They acknowledge and celebrate different cultural festivals. For example, Holi, Hanukkah and Diwali. They taste different foods, make models and enjoy being able to use resources for role play. Children learn to value differences through sensitive discussions, stories and the use of developmentally appropriate resources. They are receptive to the childminder's positive role modelling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exceptional. The childminder has a positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. The older children make an active contribution to the house rules which encourages the standards of positive behaviour and helps to create an harmonious environment within the household. Children play very happily together in the childminder's care, they learn to share and take turns as the childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The excellent partnerships with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. The childminder provides detailed information about the service that she provides including clear, well written policies, daily routines and family details. She has developed a welcome pack for new children to help them to become familiar with the environment, childminder and her family. Daily feedback and diaries for the younger children ensures a two-way communication. This means children's care, well-being and development is greatly enhanced. The parents are made aware of the complaints procedure they would follow and a copy is included in their welcome pack.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's safety and welfare is maintained by the childminder having a clear understanding of the National Standards. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's enthusiasm, her highly effective organisation of time, space and resources and her committed approach. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are part of a bigger family. The childminder is highly motivated and actively seeks and attends regular training opportunities. She is currently undertaking a Level 3 training to enhance her knowledge and understanding of childcare. These ensure she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices within the childminding setting. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development and of her legal responsibilities. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The high quality policies and procedures are shared with parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. Overall the needs of the children attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained a selection of books and some small world figures which the children regularly play with, meeting the recommendation to develop resources raising children's awareness of disability.

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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): • develop the risk assessment to include the safe use of the trampoline by all children.

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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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