Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY336862 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2008 Inspection date Sally Ann Hubbard 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven- and one-year-old in the town of Brandon in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part-time basis. She attends the local toddler group and takes children on outings to the local park or soft play area.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has one dog and three cats as pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn and understand about good personal hygiene because the childminder encourages them to clean their hands before eating and after handling the pets and she teaches them why they need to do this. Her hygiene around the house is good and prevents children being at risk of cross- infections, for example, she has very good hygiene in place for changing nappies and cleaning the mat after use. Children are suitably protected from risk of illness as they do not attend if they are sick; the childminder has a detailed policy in place and gives a copy of this to parents so they are aware when children should not attend. The childminder is able to meet children’s medical needs as she is trained to administer first aid and has permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Appropriate accident and medication records are available.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children can have a drink whenever they feel thirsty as the childminder offers them regular drinks. Children enjoy different healthy snacks that are provided by their parents. The childminder is aware of good nutrition, has appropriate information about children’s dietary needs and she is aware if they have any allergies. Children enjoy going for trips to the local country park and are physically active as they crawl around and play. The childminder teaches children that exercise helps them to stay healthy, and is good for them and the older children benefit from going for walks and bike rides.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome as they are greeted in person by the childminder. She spends time discussing children’s needs with parents so they can settle well. The premises are made welcoming as some toys and activities are prepared before the children arrive. Children enjoy being able to freely choose the toys and resources they play with. These are made accessible and the childminder makes sure they conform to appropriate safety standards and are checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they remain safe. Children have sufficient and suitable resources and equipment available for them to play with. The premises are kept secure so children cannot leave and people cannot come in without the childminder knowing, callers ring the doorbell.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put suitable measures in place to minimise hazards so that children can play safely at her house; for example, she has a gate in place to prevent children from going upstairs and cupboards containing anything dangerous are secured. The childminder has fire safety measures in place and the smoke alarms are tested regularly to ensure they work properly. However, children's safety is potentially compromised as the childminder has not practised the evacuation plan. Children’s welfare is further protected as the childminder has suitable knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the procedures to follow and puts the welfare of children first. Contact numbers and the relevant referral information are readily available if needed.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy in the childminder’s care because she takes time and care to ensure they are well settled. The childminder gets down and plays with the children and she spends time talking to them, this helps them develop their confidence. Children are able to explore their surroundings safely as they are well supervised as they play. Children respond well to the childminder smiling as she plays with them. The childminder is very calm and patient with the children; she provides a good role model and tries to teach them right from wrong.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are appropriately supported as they play because the childminder sits on the floor with them. She teaches them to share the toys and play fairly with each other, distracting them and substituting toys if children want to play with the same toy. She gives them good attention and as a result they have good relationships with her. Children are encouraged to choose toys from the range available which helps them develop their independence appropriately. More toys and resources are readily available and these are added to provide additional interest for the children. The childminder looks at the range of resources she has and continues to develop these to ensure all areas of learning are covered.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being able to share and play freely with the available toys and resources. However the childminder has limited resources available that positively reflect diversity to help children learn about today’s society. Sufficient information is gathered to enable the childminder to meet children’s individual needs and daily discussions with parents enable her to meet children’s on-going needs. She is sensitive to children’s needs and follows their sleep and eating patterns wherever possible. The childminder is aware and able to recognise that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She would provide activities and care appropriate to their needs. Any concerns about children’s development would always be discussed with parents first to enable the childminder to work closely with them to meet children's needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn how to behave appropriately and the childminder is on hand to help settle any minor disputes. She uses distraction with the children, for example, by giving alternative toys to prevent upsets and encourage sharing. She gives praise to children when they share helping them learn what is acceptable and therefore they are learning to play together. The childminder is developing good relationships with the parents of the children she looks after and because of this children are well settled. She has appropriate processes in place for sharing information with parents, for example, she fills in a daily diary telling them what activities their children have been involved in during the day. Parents give very positive comments about the care she provides and say they are ‘very happy and she is very professional’.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are further protected and their welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate qualifications and is suitable. In addition all household members have had checks completed to ensure they are suitable. Children are supervised by the childminder and not left alone with anyone who has not had appropriate checks. The childminder is aware of how many children she can look after and therefore meets the required ratios. She keeps accurate records, such

p.4

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 as a register and children’s information forms, both of which are readily accessible in the event of an emergency.

p.4

Organisation

All of the required records are in place and readily available for inspection. The childminder displays her registration certificate so parents are informed about her conditions of registration. Her policies are well written and detailed and parents are given a copy of these when they first come to see her. Overall children’s needs are met.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • devise and practise emergency evacuation procedures • improve resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

p.5

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.5

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.5