Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY236195 Unique Reference Number 19 November 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 13 and 15 years, in a village north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to all parts of the childminder's home. The garden is excluded from the registration and outdoor play is accommodated in local parks or woods. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends a local 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 satisfactory. Children’s health is generally promoted in a satisfactory manner. They are cared for in a warm, clean environment and protected from becoming ill as the childminder displays sound hygiene practices. Systems are in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder can respond to accidents appropriately as she has accessed first aid training. However, written authorisation from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place for all children. In addition a list of contents for the first aid box is not available to ensure that the contents meet with the requirements set on the first aid training course. As a result, children's welfare is not assured.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and to take responsibility for their own personal needs as they wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Generally, cross-contamination from pets is safeguarded as children are supervised carefully with the family dog. Appropriate arrangements are in place for feeding and preventing animals from fouling any areas used by the children. However, the water bowl on the kitchen floor is accessible to the children and is potentially a source of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's special dietary requirements are identified prior to the commencement of care. This ensures that parents’ wishes and any religious needs are met and that no child is at risk from a reaction to food. Parents provide packed meals for the children. The childminder discusses the contents with parents if she has concerns in order that children receive a balanced diet. Children develop an awareness of healthy eating as the childminder generally encourages them to eat fresh fruit for snacks. However, at times biscuits or crisps with flavourings and additives are offered to the children and they do not have the opportunity make healthy choices. Drinks are accessible to the children at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although the childminder's garden is not included within the registration, children develop a positive attitude to exercise. They walk to and from school and have opportunities to explore a variety of physical movements in the local park or in the woods each day. Children show an awareness of space as they move with confidence in the setting. They are able to travel around, over, through and to balance and climb on large equipment in the park. Children develop ball skills as they play outdoor games. They manipulate tools and small resources during play with dough and as they make necklaces. They can rest on sofas according to their individual needs and a travel cot is available for younger children to have undisturbed sleep.

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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 secure and generally safe indoor environment. They have sufficient space for free movement and to spread out activities and there is adequate storage space for equipment. Children use an adequate range of developmentally appropriate and safe equipment. Their safety is generally fostered and precautions are taken to prevent accidents. The childminder's home is under renovation at this time, she carries out an ongoing risk assessment of her home to reduce hazards and to minimise the risk of accidental injury to the children, however, the hazard of uncovered electrical sockets has not been identified in the main bedroom in order to assure their safety.

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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 Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are provided with explanations about safety issues within the setting and outside. The childminder explains to them, for example, why they should not throw resources and talks to them about road safety and the rules for outings.

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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 sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are offered a variety of activities and play at their own pace. They enjoy their play and show interest in what they do. Children use their imagination as they paint and draw at the dining table. Children are proud of their achievements and show each other drawings of 'mummy' and 'my hand'. Concentration is displayed as they manipulate dough with rolling pins and cutters to make 'dinosaurs'. They are able to make choices from a range of resources within the sitting room and additional choices are provided in a large chest. Children have fun as they carry dolls and sit inside a small tent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and at ease in the childminder’s care. She has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and children are involved in a range of activities which support their development and learning. The childminder works at the children's level. She listens carefully and responds to their news and ideas and supports the children's play. She offers the children lots of praise, encourages them to explore different activities and helps them to co-operate with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are identified prior to the commencement of care. They are valued and treated with equal concern and activities are adapted to accommodate their needs. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and works with parents in order to provide appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing positive attitudes to diversity as the childminder includes images of the different people that make up our society within her resources. Children become aware of the community as they socialise with others at a local toddler group; on outings to the park; on walks to feed horses and on trips to Banham Zoo.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. The childminder uses positive behaviour management strategies that are appropriate to each child’s level of understanding and maturity. She gently outlines daily routines and house rules to the children and offers them clear explanations if their behaviour is inappropriate. Children's self-esteem is raised as they are offered lots of praise. They learn to share resources with each other, to take turns and to include others as they invite each other into a small tent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are met as the childminder identifies these with parents prior to the commencement of care. Their ongoing progress is supported as the childminder works with parents and provides opportunities at the beginning and end of each day to share information regarding the children. Systems are in place to release children into the care of other adults in

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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 the event of an emergency. However, written authorities are not obtained from all parents for this eventuality in order to ensure each child's well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the care of an appropriately vetted childminder and checks have been completed to ensure that persons living in the household are suitable. Children are never left alone with anyone who is not vetted. The childminder has accessed an introductory course on childminding in order to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children’s play. They are able to move around easily and safely and to access a range of resources. Documentation to promote the welfare and care of the children is stored securely to ensure confidentiality. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to obtain written consents from parents for routine outings, to travel by car and to apply plasters. The childminder has set up systems to obtain these consents. She was also asked to develop her resources to promote equality of opportunity and has included more miniature play and books within her range in order to address this.

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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): • obtain written authorisation from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children • maintain a first aid kit that meets with the requirements determined in the first aid training course • prevent the spread of infection with respect to the dog's water bowl

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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 • provide nutritious snacks for children • take positive steps to promote safety with regard to the electrical sockets in the main bedroom • obtain written consents from each set of parents to release children into the care of others.

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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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