Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305283 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 16,13 and 10 years in South Wootton a village near to the town of Kings Lynn. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has a dog, a cat 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 an accredited member of the Norfolk Childminding Network although currently she does not have any children in receipt of funded nursery education. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted through the very good standard of hygiene that is maintained and the good practices that are put into place by the childminder. For example children have their own flannels and towels and the childminder uses disposable gloves when dealing with bodily fluids, such as changing nappies. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through good daily routines. Children as young as 17 months know that when it is snack time they need to wash their hands first. Children's medical needs are mostly met as the childminder is trained in first aid and relevant documentation is used for the recording of accidents and medication giving. However children's health and safety is compromised if emergency treatment is required as not all parents have been requested to give written permission, to allow this to happen. Children's healthy growth and development is promoted through nutritious food and

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Helping children to be healthy

drinks, that are adequate in quantity, which are provided by the childminder. Children are offered breakfast, dinner and tea at parents request, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Regular snacks are available and children enjoy healthy eating, such as raisins and savoury biscuits. Children's dietary needs are well met as the childminder discusses likes and dislikes with parents, taking into account their wishes, such as no sweets or chocolate, then records requirements and allergies on children's personal detail forms. Children's physical skills are promoted through a good range of outside toys and walks to the local park, which contribute to a healthy life style. Their hand-eye coordination is promoted through appropriate resources such as threading and shape sorters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment which is warm, welcoming and well maintained. Risks to children are minimal because the childminder is aware of hazards and has appropriate safety measures in place. For example doors are kept locked, gates are bolted, dangerous substances and medicines are inaccessible to children. Fire safety precautions are in place, such as smoke alarms on each level of the premises, a fire blanket situated in the kitchen and children learn about safety

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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 through the practising of the emergency evacuation procedure. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and play materials, which provide a stimulating environment which meets their varying needs and promotes their development. They have access to all of the ground floor area, where space is used to advantage and presented with play equipment which promotes their independence. Children are able to sleep and rest in a travel cot or on comfortable seating in the lounge. A hygienically maintained kitchen ensures that children's food is prepared and stored safely. Children are well protected if abuse or neglect is suspected as the childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection procedures. She has undertaken training, is able to recognise signs and symptoms and follows the local area child protection

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and development are well promoted through a wide range of toys and play materials, which are appropriate to the age of children being minded. Children have access to meaningful activities that promote their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Their independence is encouraged through self-selection, taking themselves to the toilet and feeding themselves. Children are supported in their play and learning because the childminder works at their level, she is kind and caring and promotes their coordination and thinking skills by providing educational resources, such as threading, counting and matching games. Children's self-esteem is developed because the childminder values their contribution. She talks and listens to children and praises them at many opportunities. The childminder plans and provides activities that help to develop children in all areas of their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Observations are made on children's progress and used to help them move onto the next stage of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and have access to all play materials available. The childminder encourages them to be kind to one another and their individual needs are met through liaison with parents and the information contained in children's records. Children have access to a limited range of multi-cultural equipment and therefore do not learn about diversity sufficiently through the resources provided. Children with special needs can be cared for as the childminder has a good awareness of how children should develop. If any special needs arise she would talk to parents and seek the necessary support and advice so that their individual requirements can be met.

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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 Children behave well because the childminder manages their behaviour positively and in a consistent way, taking into account their age and stage of development. For example distraction and intervention methods are used and very young children are moved away from the situation. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Children's care is enhanced because the childminder works closely with parents, ensuring that children's individual needs can be met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's well-being is promoted because the childminder has the necessary skills, experience and qualifications. All persons in the household over the age of sixteen have been vetted, which ensures that persons in close contact with children are suitable to be so. Children's needs are well met because of the good organisation of space and resources, allowing them to play and learn. They are supervised at all times and are well supported during the time that they are with the childminder. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children she cares for. All relevant documentation is in place and the childminder has a working set of policies, which have a positive impact on the care children receive as the childminder shares these with parents and can refer to them in her work.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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

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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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): • request written parental permission, from all parents, for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • provide play materials that reflect diversity, so that children learn about equality and anti-discriminatory practice through resources.

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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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