Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY231569 Inspection date 28 September 2005 Inspector Georgina Emily Hobson Matthews

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and four children, aged between ten and four years, in a house in the village of Long Stratton, close to local shops and parks. Currently, she is caring for children on a full time basis and five children attend at different times. Children have access to all parts of her home and an enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family has cats, fish and a rabbit.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted. They learn the importance of personal hygiene and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal needs. They are aware that hands should be washed before eating, after toileting and messy or outdoor play. Individual towels and flannels are provided in order to prevent cross contamination and children can access these independently from low level hooks. The childminder has good hygiene procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Utensils for feeding and toileting the family's pets are not accessible to the children. Children develop an awareness of healthy eating. The childminder provides fresh and dried fruits for snacks and discusses this issue with them. Although parents provide food for lunch, the childminder offers advice on the contents and children benefit from a healthy diet at the setting. Children develop a positive attitude to exercise as the childminder encourages them

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Helping children to be healthy

to play outdoors each day. They enjoy running around in the fresh air and develop large physical skills using resources such as balls, skipping ropes and large hoops. They learn to negotiate their way around the garden on tricycles. Children rest according to needs. Young children can sleep comfortably without disturbance in travel cots and older children can nap or lie comfortably on sofas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe, indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder carries out a careful, ongoing risk assessment within her home in order to minimise children’s risk of accidental injury. A large garden trampoline is not used by minded children. Children use a wide range of safe and suitable equipment that is regularly cleaned. Any broken resources are disposed of immediately. Children learn to keep safe in the sun. They are encouraged to wear sun cream and hats and to play under a gazebo when the sun is high. Their fire awareness is raised through discussion with the childminder. Children are kept safe on outings and to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks with the children about risks, for example, holding hands or prams when walking, taking care on swings, slides and when crossing roads. Developmentally appropriate car seats are used when the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children are transported by car. Children are well protected. The childminder is aware of her responsibility in this area and appropriate consents are in place to release children into the care of other adults in an emergency.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play. They are able to make choices from a wide range of easily accessible resources and to play at their own pace. An inviting, imaginary play area is set up in a corner of the kitchen and a child is engrossed as she busies herself cooking and caring for her 'baby'. This area is changed on a regular basis to house a playhouse and a ball pit. The children are happy and at ease in the childminder's care and have fun as they fit a train track together and move the train around on different lines. The childminder adapts play effectively to involve the baby who laughs with delight as he watches the train and listens and responds to the sounds. Children are able to concentrate. One sits at a small table and explores some freshly made play dough with a variety of utensils. She cuts the dough with competence and practices rolling this with the support of the childminder. The baby sits next to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

table examining a range of age appropriate play materials and showing an interest as the childminder and the other child interact with him. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as the childminder extends their play with gentle support, good questioning and attentive care. Children develop confidence and self- esteem as the childminder is affectionate, sensitive to their needs and she offers lots of praise and comfort. They make positive relationships as they are encouraged to help each other and to show respect for each other's feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder discusses these with parents prior to the outset of care and encourages ongoing communication. They feel a sense of belonging in a welcoming environment. The childminder treats each child equally and involves each one in all activities. They become aware of their own community and the wider society with trips to local parks, shops, the library, and to Norwich, Banham Zoo and nearby farms. Children are developing positive attitudes to different cultures and lifestyles as they have access to a range of resources that reflect images of the diversity of people that make up our society. The childminder has an understanding of special educational needs issues. Children behave well. Their behaviour is managed in a sensitive, positive manner, taking account of each child’s level of understanding and maturity. The childminder acts as a good role model for the children, she is consistent, explains gently when

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour is inappropriate and encourages the children to respect each other. Parents' satisfaction is reflected in their positive feedback. They are invited to access a folder with copies of the childminder's certificates of insurance and training. The childminder shares information regarding the children's progress with parents at the end of each day. They are encouraged to comment on the childcare provision by

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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 completing questionnaires that are retained in the childminder's folder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the care of an appropriately vetted and experienced childminder. She organises her home effectively to accommodate children's play. They have access to a sitting room and a kitchen and dining area, on the ground floor and a bathroom and three bedrooms, on the first floor. A selection of resources is laid out for the children each day. These are rotated from a wider range that is stored in boxes around the childminder's home. All required documentation is in place. This is well organised and kept secure to ensure confidentiality. The system for recording any significant incidents is not used effectively in order to advise parents formally of any event. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop the information provided to parents regarding the childcare provision and to obtain prior written consent from a parent before administering any medication to children. She has produced a folder for parents and introduced appropriate systems for administering medication.

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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):

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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 • ensure all aspects of record keeping are in place by recording any significant incidents involving children.

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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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