Biggs Claire Annette

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222781 Inspection date 10 November 2005 Inspector Denise May Smith

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine in a Fenland town. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five on a part-time basis and two children over five before and after school. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 attends the local childminding group. She supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are well nourished and are developing an awareness of healthy eating because they are offered varied, nutritional snacks to supplement the food provided by their parents. These include fresh fruit, vegetables and regular drinks. Children learn about simple good health and hygiene practices, such as hand washing and taking their shoes off indoors as part of their daily routine. Toys and equipment are kept clean to prevent the spread of infection. However, some aspects of the nappy changing routines are not hygienic. Children are well cared for in practice if they become sick or unwell. However, the lack of some written documentation and parental permissions does not support the care offered. The childminder does not hold an up to date first aid qualification so compromising children's health if an emergency situation arose. Children’s physical development is promoted well. They have access to a good range

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Helping children to be healthy

of outside play equipment in the garden, where they play in the fresh air. On wet days the childminder promotes activities such as physical games indoors. They also enjoy regular walks to local parks and toddler groups where they can practise their physical skills, such as running, jumping and climbing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a very welcoming and child-friendly environment where children feel comfortable and at ease. Attractive displays of children's posters around the walls help to promote their sense of belonging. The range of good quality toys and equipment are easily accessible; children become more independent as they choose their own activities. They find the toys and activities available fun, interesting and challenging. For instance, they enjoy making up a ‘role play’ about going off to school. Children are able to move around safely as the childminder ensures that risk of accidental injury is minimised. She makes sure that all of the necessary safety equipment is in place, such as cupboard locks. The childminder is fully aware of safety issues and ensures that children are well supervised indoors and on outings. She explains to children how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they learn

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about fire safety by practising fire evacuation from the house and road safety by learning the ‘Green Cross Code.’ Children are protected because the childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection by attending a relevant training course. She is clear

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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 about her role and responsibilities in any child protection situation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder develops close, affectionate relationships with the children so that they are happy and secure. The childminder ensures that her home is welcoming for the children, setting it out ready for their arrival each day with developmentally appropriate activities and resources. Children benefit from a good range of stimulating activities, which help them to make progress in all areas of development. For example, the childminder provides many varied opportunities for them to be creative and use their imagination through exploring paint, glue and different textures. Children are confident communicators; they ask questions and make requests politely. They have fun with the childminder who joins in their play, listens to them and values what they say. Their independence is fostered well as they are given opportunities to make choices about what they do. They have many opportunities to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn about their local environment as they are taken on regular trips to parks, toddler groups and to the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome and are treated with equal concern. Their individual needs are generally well met. The childminder obtains most of the required, relevant information, works closely with parents and has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues. Children are provided with many opportunities to learn about their local environment and the wider world. They have access to a good range of resources such as books, puzzles and role play items that provide them with positive images of diversity. Children behave well as the childminder is a good role model and gives them plenty of praise and support for their efforts and achievements. They respond well to her sensitive handling of situations and they learn to be kind, helpful and co-operative. For example, children are encouraged to be kind and play gently with each other. Children benefit from a positive partnership with parents, which helps them to feel

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Helping children make a positive contribution

happy and secure. Parents are provided with information about policies and procedures. Thank you letters show that they are pleased with the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. On the day of the inspection the childminder was caring for more children than her registration allowed. This compromises the care of the children and leaves them

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 vulnerable if an accident occurred. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is generally organised. They have time for play, meals, sleep and outings. The plentiful resources, which are used well, ensure children are stimulated, meeting their developmental needs. Sufficient space is available allowing them to move around freely and safely. Most of the necessary documentation, policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare and care of the children with some specific exceptions. Parents are provided with information about the service and records are regularly updated to safeguard the welfare of the children. The childminder attends regular training courses to help her to continually improve her practice and meet the needs of the children such the ‘Birth to three matters'

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Organisation

framework and ‘Speech and language’ training. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to further develop the methods used to communicate with parents. She has introduced various methods including the use of home diaries if these are felt to be useful by parents. This has improved the levels of communication; enabling her to further improve the care offered.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the

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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 following actions: • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children, to include written information for specific children if appropriate. Request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that the condition of registration with regards to the numbers of children being minded is adhered to at all times. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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