Martins, Natalie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302545 Inspection date 09 September 2005 Inspector Tessa Margaret Betts

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 three children aged eight, seven and three years. The family lives in a village east of Norwich within easy walking distance of local schools and shops. All areas of the three bedroomed bungalow may be used for childminding with the exception of the main bedroom and the eldest child's bedroom, this includes a living room, conservatory, kitchen, toilet facilities and a bedroom for children resting. There is an enclosed back garden suitable for outdoor play. The family keep chickens and birds in an enclosed area of the back garden.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, however during the inspection only one child was present. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, well maintained home. High standards of cleanliness, good hygiene routines and clear procedures if children are unwell, minimise the risk of infection and promote children's good health. Minor accidents are handled effectively as the childminder uses her knowledge of first aid and ensures a well stocked first aid kit is easily accessible at all times. Children are beginning to learn good basic hygiene routines, for example, they are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting, before meals and after handling the chickens in the garden. Children benefit from a range of healthy meals and snacks offered by the childminder. Older children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating is promoted through discussion, cooking activities such as making fruit kebabs, and trips to the local supermarket to look at a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The

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Helping children to be healthy

contents of children's lunch boxes are monitored by the childminder, and sample menus of healthy foods are provided for parents to ensure children are given a balanced diet to promote their growth and development. Children are able to access regular drinks for themselves, whilst younger children are encouraged through gentle reminders by the childminder. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their physical good health. Each day they have the opportunity to participate in fun, stimulating physical activities, as they dance to taped music, develop good co-ordination skills with bats and balls in the garden, and visit local parks to develop and improve their physical skills using a variety of large equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have space to play in a homely environment where risks are minimised to ensure their safety. They are fully supported by the childminder who shows good understanding of the need for children to have the opportunity to explore and learn from new challenges safely, such as younger children mastering the low step into the conservatory so that they can access their choice of activity in a variety of different rooms. High quality equipment and play resources provided by the childminder are regularly checked to ensure they are clean, well maintained and continue to be safe for children to use. Good use of soft furnishings, such as floor cushions in the corner of the living room allows the younger children to rest and enjoy quiet times for themselves.

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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's safety is actively promoted as the childminder gives utmost priority to maintaining vigilance and a safe environment for children both at home and on outings. Older children have a clear understanding of why boundaries are in place. Simple house rules help children understand why it is important not to run in the house and how to use the trampoline in the back garden appropriately. As a consequence, they are learning to take some responsibility for their personal safety and show consideration for others. Regular fire drills are practised, so that children are familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency to maintain their safety within the home. Children's well-being is generally supported through the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

however her understanding of the local referral procedure is not fully robust, and as a result children's welfare is not consistently safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder, they are settled and happy in the friendly atmosphere created in the childminder's home. Young children gain in personal confidence through the high levels of attention they receive and the support given throughout the day. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder establishes daily routines around these, for example, when a child is tired, a rest is offered appropriately. Children benefit from a range of meaningful activities offered daily, which are varied to sustain their interest and provide appropriate challenge. A good balance of structured play, where the childminder interacts well with the children to extend their learning, and child initiated activities, such as imaginative role play under the conservatory table, where children respond excitedly to different facial gestures, gives them the opportunity to instigate their own games to increase their self

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confidence and build useful relationships with others. Careful planning by the childminder enables the children to build on the skills they have learnt through the play opportunities provided. A written record is kept of each child's daily activities, which is shared with parents to keep them fully informed. This ensures each child has a balance of different types of play both in the home and outside to broaden their range of first hand experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their personal needs and character. They are learning to respect their own culture, and those of the wider world, through the childminder's positive attitude towards people from all walks of life. Children are becoming independent as they make choices and take some decisions within their play from

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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 low level storage boxes set out around the room. Through strong relationships built with the children, care is taken by the childminder to ensure all children are welcomed and included according to their age and stage of development. Children are learning how to manage their own behaviour through the good examples displayed by the childminder. They are learning to be courteous and considerate of each other, understanding that their behaviour has an impact on others around them and in this way are learning right from wrong. Older children make an active contribution to setting house rules which encourages standards of positive behaviour and helps to create harmony within the household. Children benefit from the good relationships built with parents and information is freely shared between both parties. Clear, well presented written policies provided by

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder, including a well stocked notice board of useful information displayed in the hall, ensures parents are kept fully informed of what their child has been doing. This is further supported by a written record kept of each child's daily activities and the verbal exchange of information at the beginning and end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety and welfare is well maintained by the childminder having a clear understanding of the National Standards and her responsibilities to the children and their parents. Appropriate training, including first aid training is maintained so that she can respond effectively to any health issues, to protect children in her care. Checks have been completed to ensure persons in regular contact with the children are suitable and she supervises children at all times to ensure their safety. Children use the space within the home well and with confidence. Good organisation prior to children arriving ensures their environment is ready and welcoming, which contributes to them adjusting to a different setting quickly and engaging in exciting, age appropriate play activities. Children are safeguarded by sound written policies and information provided by the childminder, who ensures all information held on the children is regularly updated in

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Organisation

line with parents' wishes. Overall, the needs of the children attending are well met.

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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 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): • improve knowledge of the local child protection referral process.

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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

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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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