Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY338379 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2008 Inspection date Lesley Gadd Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and children aged nine and eleven years in Diss in Norfolk. All of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She does not provide overnight care. The family have two dogs, a variety of fish, a rabbit and a hamster.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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 pets faeces is cleared

p.2

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 from the garden area before children play. Children's awareness of the need to develop good personal hygiene routines to ensure their well-being is promoted. Posters prompt them to remember 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.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become unwell. The childminder maintains an accessible first aid kit and holds a current first aid certificate. Children's welfare in case of accidents is further supported as the childminder has the necessary written parental consents to administer medication and seek emergency medical treatment if needed.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth is actively promoted through the availability of a nutritious diet. They enjoy healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and have home made main meals which they help to prepare such as pizza and stir fries. Children learn about food origins as they make curry and discuss the growth of produce in hot countries such as India. The childminder talks about food and the children know how to keep their bodies healthy. Younger children display good independence skills as they help themselves to their drinking containers to refresh themselves as needed.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a positive attitude to exercise as they enjoy regular physical activities that keep them in good health. They play outside in the garden all year round and use the local park. Children can bounce, swing, climb and develop their large muscle tone on the adventure equipment and younger children are keen to demonstrate their skills when climbing. Children demonstrate good hand and eye co-ordination as they use small tools safely.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's sense of well-being is positively supported. Younger children have good sleep facilities and are regularly checked by the childminder to ensure they are safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given positive consideration. The childminder closely supervises the children at all times and potential hazards are removed to minimise the risk of accidents for the children. 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.

p.3

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 about fire evacuation practices and they are very clear about what they must do to keep themselves safe when using equipment in cooking. 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.

p.3

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 there are no broken parts that could harm a child and the outdoor trampoline has a safety net to avoid children falling and hurting themselves. 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

p.3

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 strong sense of belonging. They are fully familiar with the layout of the home and know where to find their shoes when it is time to go outside.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's protection is given good consideration. The childminder has undertaken training and 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.

p.4

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. The childminder and younger children share a giggle at the different sounds made by pressing the buttons on the electronic guitar and enjoy each other's company. Younger children communicate well and are self-assured in the childminder's care. The childminder listens attentively as they express their wishes using single and double words such as 'me tunnel' for railway and 'get dink' for drink. The childminder listens patiently fostering the children's confidence with words and language.

p.4

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 help with cooking activities. Children enjoy the opportunity to show their imagination as they pretend to drive a toy train and make tea. All children make full use of the craft and art opportunities provided and enjoy making items during the holidays. They help to take care of the newly arrived puppy dogs and older children enjoy younger friends' company as they build up towers of cups and knock them down together. 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

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with a range of constructions toys. Younger children are supported in making connections. They work out how to stick the magnetic carriages from the railway together to make a long train and fix jigsaws into the correct holes. They show pleasure at their achievements as they clap their hands and make animal noises shown in the pictures. The childminder praises them for their success and they share a celebratory hug.

p.4

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, jigsaws, books and musical instruments as dictated by them. Activities are recorded in photographs which younger children enjoy looking at and talking about previous events with the childminder.

p.4

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 and activities and events that the children enjoy are recorded in scrapbooks for parents.

p.4

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

p.4

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 concern for others and they are careful not to disturb the newly arrived puppies without supervision from the childminder. 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 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

p.5

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.

p.5

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 file 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 with parents which set out the expectations of both parties on most matters. However parents are not given full details as to the conditions of use of the trampoline. As a result they cannot make an informed decision regarding their children's use and robustly ensure their welfare in this regard. Parents have recently commented formally on the childminder's care through completion of written questionnaires. Positive comments include

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

the fact their children 'love playing' at the childminder's and they consider her to be an 'excellent' carer.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

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 younger children to feel secure in the childminder's care.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder holds a range of written records which support her in maintaining most 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.

p.5

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to update child protection records to include details of whom to contact and ensure they are easily accessible. Good progress has been made on addressing this matter to further support the children's welfare. The childminder has developed a policy that details how she will respond if she has concerns about a child and details about whom to contact are displayed and easily accessible on her cupboard notice board.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted. Ofsted visited on the 10/12/2007 and whilst there was no breach of National Standards the childminder was asked to ensure the daily record of children's attendance was accurate and kept up to date. The childminder has addressed this matter and remains registered.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • provide further written detail for parents about conditions of use of the trampoline by the children to ensure they are fully informed about the activity provided.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6