Warman, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 256675 Inspection date 13 September 2005 Inspector Lesley Gadd

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1990. She lives with her partner and two older children in Thorpe St Andrew just outside Norwich. She is registered to care for six children under eight years of age at any one time and does not offer overnight care. At present she cares for up to nine children under eight years on a part-time basis and provides care for children over eight years. Children who attend have access to all of the house and an enclosed garden for outside play. A local park and shops are within walking distance of the house. The family has no pets.

p.2

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 The childminder is a member of a local childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning to understand the importance of good personal hygiene, through daily routines such as washing hands before eating. Children are suitably protected from the spread of infection as they play in the warm, clean home. Children's well-being is considered and appropriate measures are in place to respond when children become ill because the childminder has parents' contact numbers and a first aid kit readily available. Children benefit from a varied and nutritious snack diet, such as the availability of fruit and yoghurts to support their growth and development. Through a healthy diet and growing their own food, for example potatoes, the children are starting to understand the importance of eating well. The younger children demonstrate their independence as they drink water from their flasks when needed. All children enjoy regular outdoor activity to develop their physical skills and promote

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

their good health. They have opportunities within the day to exercise including walking to and from school, running, climbing and swinging in the garden. Children are able to rest when needed and the younger children's individual sleep routines are followed from home, promoting a sense of security.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder who gives high priority to safety matters. She has a range of equipment in place, for example stair gates to prevent access to unsafe rooms and has established evacuation routines, which she talks through with the older children to foster their understanding about safety matters. Children confidently move around the home and garden enjoying their sense of freedom, for example the younger child who climbs into the swing is well supported with the childminder stood close at hand. Children enjoy a welcoming environment where they can hang their coats and display their pictures creating a sense of belonging. Children independently select activities from a good range of well maintained toys, which meet safety standards. Children are interested in the toys and the childminder carefully monitors the children's choice of

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has attended training in child protection, however details held about the local child protection referral procedure are out of date, which could reduce the effectiveness of any necessary referral.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children of all ages are happy with the childminder, who is kind and warm in her approach towards them. Children are reassured and confident as the childminder makes time to listen and speak with them, offering a comfortable lap and a chance to sit and complete a jigsaw when needed. Children are interested in a good range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. They demonstrate a range of skills, for example turning the pages in a book, marking paper with pens, playing imaginatively when preparing play food on the cooker unit, learning about the environment and colours when looking at a green frog in the garden. The childminder has plans to develop her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to ensure the younger children have a full range of activities to further promote their development. Children acquire new knowledge through some valuable questioning by the childminder for example, a young child

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

who is completing a jigsaw is asked 'what the animal is' and 'what noise it makes?', child responds with a 'C' sound for cat. Older children's thinking and understanding is developed when they have discussions about healthy eating and safety. Children's interests are noted by the childminder, such as the child who likes music and the swings and she has a developing knowledge of how to foster children's individual capabilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children receive a warm welcome and are developing their self-esteem as they are referred to by name and encouraged to take part in all activities, for example the younger children sharing the computer fun. Children are able to make choices, be independent and take decisions within their play, such as choosing what toys to play with, fostering their sense of value. Children are beginning to learn about their own culture through celebrations and there are some developing opportunities for them to extend their awareness of diversity and understanding of others, through discussion and resources. Children are well behaved and polite. Children show care for others as the older ones help fetch things for the baby and they share when playing games. The childminder praises the children often, encouraging good behaviour and responds clearly and consistently to explain why behaviour is unacceptable, fostering the children's sense

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

of right and wrong. Partnerships with parents are very good. Children's welfare is promoted through the positive relationships that exist between the childminder and parents. Parents' wishes about individual feeding and sleeping routines are respected and the childminder makes sure she speaks with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about what the children have been doing whilst in her care. Parents comment very positively on the service and how their children love to attend and the fact they have

p.4

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 developed through the good range of activities.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure and settled in the childminder's home where they can eat, sleep and play in comfort. Children enjoy a range of activities during the day, with regular times to rest and eat to meet their individual needs and promote their sense of security. Older children have access to the main living room to relax, play on the computer and undertake homework if needed. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder maintains a set of legally required documentation. Parents have an opportunity to review the service with the childminder everyday and more formally when contracts are renewed ensuring the quality of the children's care is maintained. Overall the children are being well cared for and the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder maintain an accurate record of medicines, ensure keys to the door were safe and develop opportunities for the children to build on their learning. The childminder has made good progress on addressing the above points. Children's health and safety has been further ensured as medicine detail is recorded in a separate book and parents give written permission to say they have been informed about the administration of medicines. The keys to the front door hang on a board in the hall to ensure they are accessible if needed for any evacuation. The children benefit from warm relationships with the childminder who makes time during the day to develop children's learning through play activities, for example discussing the colour of bricks, number of animals and size of the plants in the garden.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

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): • improve your knowledge of the local child protection referral procedure to fully safeguard the welfare of children

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6