Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY255755 Unique Reference Number 19 November 2007 Inspection date Christine Eglinton 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 seven and 11 years in Lakenheath in Suffolk. The whole of the whole of the property except the main bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child under the age of five years on a part-time basis. There were no children present during the inspection. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. From observations of her home and equipment the childminder is able to demonstrate that the environment is clean and tidy and toys are well maintained. She describes how she tries to minimise the risk of cross-infection by changing hand towels daily, and demonstrates some

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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 understanding of protecting children from contagious ailments. For example, she operates an exclusion procedure for children suffering from infectious illnesses. However, she does not have access to information relating to communicable diseases. From discussion the childminder is able to demonstrate how she uses daily routines to help children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. For instance, children are encouraged to wash their hands after handling pets and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate systems in place to gather information from parents concerning children’s medical and dietary needs. The childminder keeps other forms of documentation such as parental consent for outings and for emergency medical treatment to help her promote children's health and welfare. From discussion the childminder is able to demonstrate a sound understanding of promoting healthy eating, and encouraging children to make healthy food options. For instance, children have written their views on tasting different types of fresh fruit and have grown strawberries.

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Helping children to be healthy

From observations of her equipment which includes a trampoline, swing slide and general discussion of trips to the local park, the childminder is able to demonstrate how she encourages children to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. From discussion and observation of her home the childminder is able to demonstrate how she has made appropriate use of the available space within her home to meet the needs of the children. For example, there are sufficient areas of clear floor space to enable children to freely play with their toys and a safe place to eat their meals and rest and sleep comfortably. From observation, the childminder has organised children’s play equipment in low-level open storage systems for easy access. Equipment and toys are sufficient in quality and appropriate to meet variable ages and stages of children’s development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put in place some appropriate safety measures to minimize hazards within her home. For instance, she has placed safety locks on kitchen cupboards containing hazardous items, and used safety caps to protect electric sockets. However, from observation of the outdoor play area this has not been made sufficiently secure to prevent the risk of unwanted visitors to ensure the safety of children. Through discussion the childminder is able to demonstrate how she helps children develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues. Through discussion and documentation, she is able to demonstrate she knows what action she must take if she has any concerns about a child in her care. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes how she asks parents relevant information about their children to help children settle more easily. For example, she asks about their favourite play activities, daily routines and special comforters. The childminder talks about offering children a balanced range of activities including lots of first-hand experiences. For instance, cooking activities where children make different cakes, and decorate biscuits.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 talks about how she encourages children to develop their creative skills by providing them with a range of different resources such as glue, glitter, and paints. She describes how she aims to offer young children a wide range of fun and interesting activities. For example, children have taken part in treasure trails and explored bugs and mini beasts while attending outside leisure groups. From discussion, the childminder is able to demonstrate how she uses trips to the local park, library and shops to help children learn about the local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about how she tries to encourage all the children to take part in activities she provides, to ensure they have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. However, toys and resources do not reflect positive images of all aspects of society. Through discussion, the childminder is not able to demonstrate how she is using activities and resources to help children learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to demonstrate an understanding of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities by using appropriate strategies, to ensure all children’s needs are well planned for and met. The childminder showed sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving clear examples according to the age and stage of development, to help children learn right from wrong. From discussion and documentation, the childminder demonstrates satisfactory systems to promote continuity of care with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. From discussion and documentation the childminder is able to demonstrate that she is complying with all conditions of her registration. She is very clear about meeting the agreed ratios of children and through discussion, is able to demonstrate her responsibility in respect of notification of changes. This helps to promote children’s welfare. The childminder is meeting the qualification requirements because she has maintained a first aid certificate and has pre-registration training for childminders. This ensures she is able to give appropriate care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

The childminder describes how she provides children with opportunities to rest and relax as well as be busy and actively occupied. Observation of the home demonstrates effective organisation of space and resources, to enable children to play freely and safely. Documentation shows that information kept about the children is relevant and helps to promote their welfare. All mandatory records are in place, and kept in a confidential manner. However, the childminder does not have access to current updated guidance to the National Standards. This does not ensure she is kept aware of changes to regulations.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve some aspects of safety within her home with regard to the bathroom and garden. The childminder has sought additional advice on hazardous plants from someone who has appropriate horticultural knowledge. In addition to this she also closely supervises children at all times when they use the outdoor play

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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 area. The storage heater in the bathroom is no longer used when minded children are present. This enables the childminder to promote children's safety more effectively.

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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 the 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): • improve knowledge of the procedure for communicable diseases • develop further security measures to the outdoor play area to prevent unwanted visitors • ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • obtain current updated guidance to the 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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