Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283009 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Lesley Gadd 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged nineteen months and four years in Norwich Norfolk. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She does not provide overnight care. The family have a rabbit as a family pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good organisation and cleanliness ensures that high standards of hygiene are consistently maintained to protect all children in the childminder's care. Children wash their hands without prompting before eating and after using the toilet because they understand through clear

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 explanations from the childminder that this reduces the risk of spreading germs. This fosters their awareness of the need to develop good personal hygiene routines to ensure their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. The childminder maintains an accessible first aid kit and holds a current first aid certificate. Children's welfare in case of accidents is further supported as the childminder has the necessary written parental consents to administer medication and seek emergency medical treatment if needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth is actively promoted through the availability of a nutritious snack diet. She caters for children with specific dietary needs well and children take part in cooking on a regular basis. Children enjoy healthy snacks such as fresh and dried fruit and they learn about food origins as they discuss where grapes are grown. The childminder talks about healthy eating and children know why too many sweets are bad for teeth. Children display good independence skills as they help themselves to fresh drinking water as needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a positive attitude to exercise. They enjoy regular physical activities that keep them in good health. They dance and twirl when practicing movements to music, run freely in the inviting garden and walk with the childminder in all types of weather. They enjoy visiting the local park where they have opportunities to swing, climb and develop their large muscle tone. Children enjoy indoor games and notice the effects of exercise on their bodies. Children demonstrate good hand and eye co-ordination as they write, draw and use small tools safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's sense of well-being is positively supported. Younger children have good sleep facilities and older children can share a cuddle or quieter activities with the childminder when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can play safely as the childminder is vigilant around their care and closely supervises them at all times. Premises are checked daily and any potential hazards removed to minimise the risk of accidents for the children. Hazardous products are stored securely, relevant insurance is in place and access to the premises are secure to prevent children escaping or 'stranger danger'. A daily register of attendance is completed and children know what to do in the event of an emergency fire. Children travel safely in the childminder's car with parental permission. They have secure safety seats and the childminder holds relevant insurance. This ensures children are safe on outings and provides reassurance for parents about their children's welfare in these circumstances.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to maintain this safe environment through constant discussion with the childminder and this helps them to prepare for future independence. They demonstrate their robust understanding as they know how important it is to hold hands when crossing the road. Younger children are supported in taking safe risks to develop their confidence. They are able to use scissors when taking part in craft activities with the childminder close at hand to support as needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to toys and play resources that are stimulating and presented attractively encouraging them to settle quickly. Regular checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children are interested in the toys and the childminder carefully monitors the children's choice to make sure they are appropriate for their

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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 age and stage of development. Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and show a strong sense of belonging as they know where to hang their coats after a morning at school and are fully familiar with the layout of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is generally well supported. The childminder has undertaken training and has a secure understanding of child protection matters. Children are not left unattended and all household members are vetted. The childminder knows what procedures to follow and whom to contact if she is concerned about a child in her care. However contact numbers for support services are out of date. This could lead to a minor delay in children accessing prompt support from the relevant agencies if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and are happy in her care. They enjoy cuddles for reassurance when needed and share humorous jokes about the dancing shoes making a noise on the floor. Children communicate well and are self-assured in the childminder's care. Children talk eloquently about school and activities they like at the childminder's home. All children are given extra time to speak and explain their needs as the childminder listens patiently fostering the children's confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly join in with self-initiated and planned activities that foster and extend their all round development. Children show their imagination as they dress as fairies and care for the baby dolls. They are keen to share their developing knowledge about phonic letter sounds. Children know the letters in their names, what sound the letters make and are beginning to write their own names with confidence. Children enjoy messy play to stimulate their senses. They take part in painting, gluing activities and play with water in the summer months. Equipment and toys are well used as children design and build a railway with wooden track, play parachute games when visiting toddler clubs and enjoy outings to see the magician and his pet rabbit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play an active part in steering the course of their day. Whilst some activities are planned in advance to ensure children have varied experiences, the childminder follows their particular interests on a day to day basis. Children are keen to dress up in wigs and fairy clothing after lunch and the childminder waits until the children are ready before introducing a craft activity. Children socialise well together. They share costumes and baby doll equipment and are polite and courteous towards each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents' are kept well informed about activities supporting the children's progress through daily discussion with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and the childminder promotes inclusion and equality. Younger children are able to sit and join in activities with older children and enjoy being part of the social group. The childminder gets down to the children's level physically when talking with them and listens ensuring children feel valued. Children have opportunities to learn about themselves and others promoting their awareness of diversity. They are encouraged to repeat key words from different languages, they play with toys that represent wider society and they are keen to discuss a range

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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 of religious festivals. In this way, children are developing a positive understanding and healthy approach to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an understanding about children's development stages and is quick to raise any concerns with parents about potential learning difficulties and/or disabilities. In this way all children are supported in achieving their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good due to the clear boundaries and positive examples set by the childminder. Children understand the difference between right and wrong through clear explanations and simple house rules which promote respect for others. This positive attitude is continually reinforced through daily routines and practices so that children make an active contribution to creating a warm and happy environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are generally good. The childminder shares information and liaises with parents closely to meet their child's care and development needs. An information file informs parents about the childminder's service and approach to behaviour management and emergencies. The childminder shows parents her registration certificate and has some understanding about responding if parents have a complaint about her service. However information held around responding to complaints is out of date which could result in parents not being fully informed regarding all matters in relation to their children's welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All children are appropriately cared for as the childminder organises herself generally well to support their needs. The childminder has kept her first aid training current and is keen to attend additional training to further update her skills and develop children's care and learning.

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Organisation

Children make full use of an inviting, suitably organised home. They have sufficient space indoors and outdoors to be active, take part in messy activities, sit quietly when needed and eat in comfort. Toys are easily to hand and children self-select their own play equipment, promoting their independence.

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Organisation

Children's care is satisfactorily supported as the childminder holds a range of written records. However child protection and complaint information are not up to date to robustly comply with current National Standards. As a result parents cannot be wholly assured regarding these matters in relation to their children's welfare. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve hygiene routines, strategies for managing children's behaviour and develop further knowledge about child protection matters. The childminder has made good progress on addressing hygiene routines and behaviour management to further improve the children's care however child protection information remains in need of improvement at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder's house has been renovated and strict cleaning routines maintain a good standard of hygiene. Children are praised frequently and the childminder has established some house rules to support herself and the children in understanding acceptable behaviour.

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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): • further update records held on child protection and complaint matters to ensure they fully comply with current National Standards.

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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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