Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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160754 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Mandy Gannon 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 has been registered since 1990. She lives in a large five bedroom detached property in Camberley, Surrey. She lives with her partner, two adult sons and daughter aged nine years old. The whole of the property is registered excluding the master bedroom. She is registered for five children and currently has four children under eight on roll who all attend on a part time basis. The family have a pet dog. 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 cared for in a clean, well maintained home where they begin to understand the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care. Younger children are supported in their personal care and the childminder ensures that she washes their hands prior to eating food. Individual towels are available which are laundered frequently to minimise the spread of infection. Effective nappy changes procedures are in place, the childminder wears gloves and soiled linen is disposed of appropriately.

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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 Children benefit from a good variety of physical activities that contribute to their health and well-being and include, the use of the large enclosed garden with an extensive range of toys and equipment suitable for all ages and stages of development, regular walks to local parks, lakes and schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a clear understanding of healthy, nutritious, balanced meals that are available through the childminder and a weekly menu is shared with parents. Some children bring their own food and the childminder has a fridge available for appropriate storage. Children develop a clear understanding of the benefits of drinking frequently and they independently access fresh drinking water, the childminder reminds them to drink frequently contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being is promoted as the childminder has a first aid certificate, permission to seek emergency medical treatment, and advice and required documentation is in place. Although, information in the medication record prior to administration is not clear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe, secure and well protected in a suitable welcoming environment. The childminder completes risk assessments and maintains high standards of safety and identifies potential hazards. For example, she picks up toys that have been left on the floor by a younger child to minimise risk. Children have sufficient space to move freely and safely as they have their own separate play room with accessible storage and extensive space throughout the rest of the property. Children are protected as the childminder has clear, comprehensive fire evacuation procedures in place which the children are aware of. Fire equipment is available and the childminder asked the local fire brigade to assess the premises and the childminder has installed smoke detectors in each room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted as the childminder has an accurate understanding of her role and responsibility to protect children. The childminder has recently completed a safeguarding children's course, has an up-to-date policy which includes the contact details of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB). Children are protected as the childminder ensures that their safety is paramount, she supervises the children and this was observed as she frequently checks sleeping babies and uses a monitor. Children's safety is further enhanced as the childminder is vigilant about allowing persons access to her premises and has a visitor's book in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted as required procedures and documents are available. For example, permission to take photographs, take children on outings or transport children are all in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem through a childminder who provides support, encouragement and praise. Children's independence thrives as they are encouraged to make choices as they select what book they would like to read or toy they would like to play with. For example, the childminder asks the young child what they would like to do and offers them several suggestions.

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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 Children spend their time purposefully with the childminder. They explore a wide range of activities, which contributes to their creativity as younger children draw with crayons and older children have made animal covers for their pencils. Children enjoy music and song time, they listen to song tapes and dance to the music. The childminder uses puppets and story sacks as teaching aids to support children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have frequent opportunities to explore outside as they regularly go for walks to local parks, lakes, and to and from school. They freely access the enclosed garden in better weather directly off of the play room where they can access a wide range of climbing frames, sand pit, ride on toys and equipment. Children also benefit from a separate secret area known as the 'enchanted garden' where they can play in a play house and believe they cannot be seen.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a clear understanding of children's individual needs and provides appropriate activities. She is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and is developing her understanding of forthcoming changes through training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children flourish in the setting as their individual needs are clearly identified, valued and met through a childminder who works closely with the parents. She ensures she exchanges information on a daily basis both verbally and through communication sheets. The childminder initiates regular meetings with parents to ensure they are happy with the service and discuss the child's progress. Every six months she asks them to complete feedback forms about her provision covering all the outcomes and ways she can develop her service.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop positive relationships with their peers, the childminder and her family. For example, a young child shows delight and pleasure when they see the childminders older son. Children behave well and the childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour, a policy is in place and the childminder has a clear understanding of their developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a variety of toys and resources that reflect a positive view of the wider world. The childminder supports children who are bilingual as she is learning words in their other language. Children all have equal access to all equipment and activities suitable for their age and stage of development that they can access independently.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the good organisational skills of the childminder. Children are settled and at ease in the well organised environment. They develop their confidence and self-esteem as they access resources and initiate their own play which is extended and developed by the childminder who has a clear understanding of their individual needs. Children benefit from the childminders regular discussions with their parents and communication records which are shared on a daily basis.

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Organisation

Documentation is well maintained and up-to-date although clearer detail is needed in the medication record. Children's care and well-being is enhanced and promoted through clear, comprehensive policies and procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder meets

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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 the required ratios and has recently included the use of an assistant in her registration. Since the last inspection the childminder has increased and developed her knowledge and understanding through attending various courses including, a first aid course, safeguarding children's course and framework and assessment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was set actions to; ensure that all persons aged over 16 years, who are regularly present in the household undergo the necessary checks including a criminal records check, complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, ensure that policies and procedures comply with those of the LSCB and that relevant contact details are available, and ensure that sufficient detail and confidentiality is maintained in the accident record. The childminder has ensured that all persons in the household over the age of 16 years have been vetted and has attended an appropriate paediatric first aid course. She has increased her knowledge and understanding of child protection by attending a safeguarding children course, she has updated her policies and procedures which include the

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Improvements since the last inspection

contact details of the LSCB. The accident record is well maintained with sufficient detail and confidentiality is maintained.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may 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): • ensure that medication record is updated

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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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