Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355500 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date Deborah Kerry 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 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 2007. She lives with her family in a house in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a secure, enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. One dog, tropical fish and a bird are kept as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children for visits to the library, parent and toddler groups and local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has in place excellent procedures to protect children from the spread of infection. For example, parents are called to collect their children if they become unwell whilst in her care. The childminder has good hygiene procedures in place for keeping her home clean to prevent the spread of any infections. For example, floors are cleaned regularly to remove wet paw prints and she vacuums and dusts every day. The family's dog is regularly treated for fleas and worms and all inoculations are maintained. Children are developing a good

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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 personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating, after playing outside or touching the dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for exercise and fresh air daily as the childminder walks to collect them from school each day and they use the garden to access the large play equipment. Older children can rest on the sofa in the lounge and the childminder has a travel cot available to sleep younger children according to their own routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary requirements are adhered to as the childminder gathers all relevant information from parents. Children are provided with a variety of healthy foods for snacks and meals that she knows they like and enjoy. The childminder records what children have to eat each day in their daily diaries which is shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder ensures that her home is secure and there are no hazards accessible to minded children. The garden is secure and enclosed, which maintains children's safety when they use the outside play area. The childminder has a range of resources suitable for a wide age range of children. She prepares resources and activities before children arrive, ensuring that they are appropriate for their ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained as the childminder regularly checks resources and equipment to ensure that there are no hazards accessible to minded children. She ensures that younger children are separated from the older children when they play with small resources to prevent any danger from the small pieces. The childminder has clear written procedures in place for the emergency evacuation of the premises which promotes children's safety effectively. She keeps a record of all fire drills she carries out, ensuring that children's safety is a high priority. The childminder promotes children's understanding of keeping themselves safe as she discusses safety and the rules with them before they use the large trampoline in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to promote children's welfare around safeguarding children as she has attended training. The childminder has a written statement on safeguarding children which includes the procedures to follow and local contact numbers in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and content in the childminders care. They play happily with resources which are placed within their reach. Children enjoy listening to music and move to the sounds that they hear. The childminder records children's progress in a daily contact book which is shared with parents. The planned activities are suited to children's individual needs and likes, and supports their continued progress and development. Children are supported in their play as the childminder gets down to their level as she reads stories to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a range of craft activities for children and their efforts are shared with parents at the end of the day. Children access age-appropriate games on the computer to support their learning and development. The needs of younger children are planned for as the childminder uses the framework for the 'Birth to three matters'. The childminder rotates all her toys and resources which provides children with a variety each day they attend.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that she finds out about children's individual needs from parents before they start so that the appropriate level of care can be provided. Children are helped to settle when they start as the childminder provides them with resources and activities that they like and enjoy; they have several visits so that they can get used to the new surroundings. All children are made to feel welcome and the childminder provides children with a range of resources on the wider world to develop their understanding of others. The childminder ensures that she provides activities so that all the children can participate in those that they enjoy and are suited to their own needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to share and take turns when playing and are given gentle reminders by the childminder. The childminder has written rules on expected codes of behaviour which are shared with parents and children ensuring that they know what is expected of them. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a calm and consistent manner. The childminder provides parents with information about her practice and policies, she ensures that parents are kept updated on how their children have been whilst in her care as she writes daily diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder promotes children's welfare as she ensures that the correct ratios are adhered to at all times. The childminder ensures that she has all relevant information on minded children and that this is updated regularly. All necessary parental permission slips are in place to ensure that appropriate care can be provided for each child's individual needs. The childminder has most documentation in place. However, the attendance register is not kept up to date on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home around children's needs and ensures that they can move around safely and access toys independently. The childminder ensures that all documentation and records are stored confidentially. Overall children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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Complaints 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

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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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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): • ensure that the times of children's arrival and departure are recorded on a daily basis.

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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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