Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307095 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Marianne Gascoyne

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged 12 and 14 years in the village of Tilney St Lawrence near King's Lynn. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and part of the garden is fully enclosed for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five and two children over five. She also cares for children over the age of eight years. She attends the local toddler group and drives to the local school to take and collect children.

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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 The family has two cats and two horses who are kept in a paddock at the rear of the house.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are given regular opportunities to play in the fresh air in the garden or park to develop their physical skills and maintain their health and well-being. The childminder takes positive steps to reduce the risk of cross infection and gives a high priority to children's health and well-being. She maintains a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the home and children are provided with individual flannels and their own beaker. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routine and discussion with the childminder. An appropriate policy is in place to ensure children's welfare if they are sick and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Daily menus are shared with parents and meals prepared from fresh ingredients to ensure children are well nourished. Children are learning to eat a healthy diet through meals provided and discussion at the dinner table. They are able to tell others 'that's

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Helping children to be healthy

not very healthy - that's bad for your teeth' and are learning how to keep themselves in good health through their diet. Information obtained from parents ensures no children are at risk from an allergic reaction to food provided. Children are able to access drinks when they choose to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel welcome and secure in the child-centred premises with toys and equipment easily accessible to them. They are able to move freely around the ground floor choosing to play with toys in the playroom or comfortably to look at books in the living room. Children are able to undertake messy play activities or sit and eat in comfort. Toys and equipment are well-organised and checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children. A fully enclosed area of the garden has been equipped with sturdy outdoor apparatus suitable for children to use all year round. Young children sleep in their pushchair. Facilities provided are not therefore appropriate to enable them to sleep in comfort. Children are protected from danger by safety measures in place in the home. Not all risks are assessed indoors or when taking children on outings to ensure any hazards are minimised. An emergency evacuation procedure has been written and the exit

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

route is displayed in the home. Children have not yet practised the procedure to ensure they are able to evacuate the building promptly in an emergency. Children are protected by the childminder's awareness of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns regarding their care or well-being. She has attended Child

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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 Protection training and adopted a policy which is available to parents to make them aware of action which would be taken to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and their self esteem is enhanced as the childminder gives them praise and encourages their play. Effective relationships are in place and children involve the childminder in the activities they undertake, for example, choosing a book and taking it to her to read. The childminder sits on the floor with the children to support and develop their play. She asks questions and encourages children to take part in conversations. Activities are planned, based on a theme, to maintain children's interest and develop their vocabulary. Children use their imagination as they organise a tea party for the soft toys and learn to use a brush and glue to create a collage picture. They are learning to recognise their name as they self-register on arrival. Children are happy and purposefully occupied and able to make decisions about the activities they wish to undertake. Children learn right from wrong through explanations given by the childminder and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are well behaved responding to the effective role model she provides. Children benefit from activities in the garden and outside the home. They are taken to the local park to provide older children with opportunities to extend their physical skills while younger children are able to climb and balance on equipment in the garden. Younger children are taken to the parent and toddler group to encourage their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are secure and happy in the care of the childminder. Their individual needs are identified through discussion with parents and time given to help them settle into the setting. Equipment is easily accessible to all the children and they are provided with resources providing positive images of different cultures to help develop their understanding. Children have a strong sense of belonging and their self esteem is enhanced by the value placed on their creative work which is displayed in the playroom. A positive behaviour policy is in place and followed to ensure children understand the reasons to behave well and follow house rules. They discuss and help set the rules for the benefit of all the children. The childminder works with parents to encourage their children's acceptable behaviour. Praise is freely given to children ensuring they develop confidence and know what they have done well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The opportunity to care for a child with special needs would be viewed positively and the childminder would use the training and experience gained in her previous role in schools to work with the parents and other professionals to ensure the child received

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 appropriate care. Parents are given comprehensive information about the childminding service provided and the childminder ensures they are well informed about all relevant policies and procedures. The childminder maintains scrapbooks of children's work to keep parents informed of their progress. A daily diary, which passes between the childminder and parents, ensures they are well informed about the care their child receives and share information about their children with the childminder. Overall the needs of the children attending are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The ground floor of the childminder's home is well organised to maximise play opportunities for children and enable them to practise their independence skills. They are easily able to access activities to meet their needs. The childminder has worked with children for many years in a variety of situations and undertaken appropriate training. This experience and training gives her the knowledge and understanding to work effectively with the children and ensure their well-being. The childminder has applied for accreditation by the National Childminding Association. Documentation is well organised and accessible. Information needed to protect children in an emergency situation is therefore easily available. Parents complete the necessary documentation to enable children to be cared for appropriately and ensure their welfare is safeguarded. The register is completed as children arrive and leave

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Organisation

and the records necessary for children's health and well-being are in place and stored confidentially. Overall the needs of the children attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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 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): • provide appropriate facilities to enable children to rest or sleep in comfort • ensure all hazards are minimised and the emergency escape plan is practised.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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