Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365659 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2008 Inspection date Lesley Gadd 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 2008. She lives with her family, including two adult children and her youngest child aged 14 years, in Stanton in Suffolk. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding ten children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She does not provide overnight care. The family have three cats as family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 welcomed into a warm, clean home. Regular cleaning routines ensure that good standards of hygiene are consistently maintained to reduce cross-infection risks for the children in the childminder's care. Carpets are hoovered, surfaces cleaned and bathrooms disinfected

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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 regularly. Children's awareness of the need to develop good personal hygiene routines to ensure their well-being is promoted. They are prompted to wash their hands after using the toilet and through this regular routine and reminders they develop an understanding about the need to wash away germs to avoid being ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well supported if they become unwell or have accidents. The childminder has a clear policy where she alerts parents if children become ill and she has a first aid kit to attend to minor grazes. Parents' give written permission for the childminder to seek medical advice in an emergency which further supports children's welfare in these circumstances.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth is positively supported as parents prepare meals and a nutritious snack diet is provided by the childminder. Children enjoy apples, cucumber, oranges and occasional light crisps on their return from nursery and school and refresh themselves from easily available water and milk. Younger children demonstrate their growing independence skills. They feed themselves competently and drink enthusiastically from their feeder cups after a rest. Parents' provide healthy packed lunches with fresh fruit, yoghurts and sandwiches. The children and the childminder discuss why eating too many sweets is bad for your teeth and discuss good and bad foods for the body developing children's understanding about healthy eating. All children's feeding and dietary requirements are discussed with parents before children start to attend to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a positive attitude to exercise as they enjoy regular physical activities that keep them in robust health. They walk to and from school daily, play outside in the garden all year round and use the local park. Children bounce, swing, climb and develop their large muscle tone on the adventure equipment, run freely in the open spaces in the park and enjoy swinging hoopla hoops around their bodies. Children demonstrate good hand and eye co-ordination as they use small tools safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's sense of well-being is positively supported. Younger children have comfortable sleep facilities and can rest with special comforters for reassurance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is given positive consideration. The childminder closely supervises the children at all times, dangerous products are stored securely, gates protect children on the stairs and relevant insurance is in place. Access to the indoor premises are secure to prevent children escaping. A daily register of attendance is completed and children travel safely in the childminder's car in appropriate seating with parental permission. However the staircase has a hoover and pile of books stacked on the lower stairwell which could be a trip hazard for younger children or adults carrying children down the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe for future independence. The childminder talks with them and practices fire evacuation procedures and they are very clear about what they must do to keep themselves safe in these circumstances. Younger children are supported in taking safe risks to develop their confidence. They are able to climb on high equipment and take part in craft activities using tools with the older children. The childminder is close at hand to support and supervise the children at all times as needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to toys and play resources that are stimulating and presented attractively encouraging them to settle quickly. Regular checks of toys and resources ensure

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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 there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children are interested in the toys and the childminder carefully monitors the children's choice to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are warmly welcomed by the childminder and show a strong sense of belonging. They are fully familiar with the layout of the home and know where to put their shoes on their return from nursery.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's protection is given suitable consideration. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters. Children are not left unattended and all household members and regular visitors are vetted. The childminder knows what to do and whom to contact if she is concerned about a child in her care and holds current procedural information to discuss with parents before their children start to attend.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a warm relationship with the childminder who is caring and considerate towards them. They are happy in her care and enjoy cuddles for reassurance when needed as they wake from a rest. The childminder and baby demonstrate a shared trust and enjoy each others company. The baby is happy to be held in the air and giggles with delight as they pass items to the childminder who praises the baby for their cleverness at learning how to hold and pass things around. Younger children communicate well and are self-assured in the childminder's care. The childminder listens attentively as they eat lunch and talk about their morning at nursery. The childminder listens patiently fostering the children's confidence with words and language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly join in with self-initiated and planned activities that foster and extend their all round development. The childminder has a developing knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this to effectively provide a range of age-appropriate experiences. Younger children's senses are stimulated as they play with glue and sand. Children enjoy the opportunity to show their imagination as they pretend to drive a toy train and play with the pretend cooker. All children make full use of the craft and art opportunities provided and enjoy making plate pictures during the holidays. Children's knowledge about weight and numbers is fostered as they take part in regular cooking activities. Equipment and toys are well used as children design and build with a range of constructions toys. Babies and younger children are supported in making connections. They work out how to lift up the toy computer hood to open

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and close it smiling with pleasure at their new discovery. The childminder praises them for their success and they share a celebratory hug. Babies show a good sense of rhythm as they clap and sing to themselves with the childminder. Older children share well and co-operate whilst playing board games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play an active part in steering the course of their day. Whilst some activities are planned in advance to ensure children have varied experiences, the childminder follows their particular interests on a day to day basis. Younger children are keen to explore and are facilitated in playing with trains, activity toys as dictated by them. Activities are recorded in photographs which all children enjoy looking at and talking about previous events with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents are kept well informed about activities which supports the children's progress. The childminder talks with parents daily about the activities the children have enjoyed.

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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. All children are made welcome and the childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to promoting inclusion. Younger children are included in older friends' activities and the childminder gets down to the children's level physically when talking with them, ensuring each child feels valued. When caring for the family pets the children show great care and they are careful not to pull the cats tail. Children have growing opportunities to develop a positive attitude about themselves as individuals and others in the wider community. They are encouraged to play with a developing range of resources that positively reflect all members of society and have started to talk about different religious festivals. The childminder is quick to raise any concerns with parents about potential learning difficulties and/or disabilities and supports parents in accessing support to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder acts as a positive role model as she is attentive and praises the children frequently to encourage acceptable behaviour. Children understand the difference between right and wrong through clear explanations and younger children are easily distracted from unacceptable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are good. The childminder makes a point of talking with parents about their children's needs for the day on arrival and informs them about the days events on collection, passing on any messages from school. A policy containing information about the childminder's approach to complaints and the certificate is displayed which ensures parents are clear about registration conditions and what to do if they have a concern about her service. The childminder holds agreements and a comprehensive information folder for parents to inform them about her approach to most matters in relation to the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All children are well-cared for as the childminder organises herself effectively to support their needs. The childminder welcomes additional training to support her in further developing children's care and learning.

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Organisation

Children make full use of an inviting, well-organised home. They have good space outdoors to be active, and sufficient indoor space to take part in messy activities, sit quietly when needed and eat in comfort. Toys are easily to hand and children self-select their own play equipment, promoting their independence. Routines are organised well throughout the day. Children have time to play with friends, enjoy one to one time with the childminder and rest. These familiar rhythms to the day help babies and younger children to feel secure in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The childminder holds a complete range of written records which support her in maintaining all aspects of the children's care. Accidents and medication needs are listed and a daily attendance register is in place should the childminder need to evacuate in an emergency. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection.

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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

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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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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): • take reasonable steps to remove the hoover and books from the stairs to minimise hazards and ensure the windows upstairs in rooms where children are sleeping are secure at all times.

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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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