Childminder in NorfolkOfsted inspection, 18 May 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY223006 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Tessa Margaret Betts

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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 registered in 2002 and lives with her husband and 3 children aged 5 years, 7 years and 18 years in a three bedroomed mid terrace house on the outskirts of Watton. All areas of the house are available for childminding, which includes the living room, kitchen and utility room downstairs, a bedroom identified for children sleeping and a bathroom upstairs. There is an enclosed back garden suitable for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time, although only

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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 one child was present during the inspection. Overnight care is not provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning to understand the importance of personal hygiene through appropriate daily routines and discussion promoted by the childminder. They are actively encouraged to wash their hands after handling pets and before eating, and are beginning to understand why it is important to adopt good hygiene practices in order to stop the spread of infection. Children's health and well being is promoted through sound written policies, which outline the childminder's practice and procedures followed if a child needed medication or was taken ill whilst in her care. Children develop a beneficial awareness of healthy eating, with the provision of fresh fruit and drinks at snack and mealtimes. Activities provided encourage children to understand what foods are healthy and why our bodies need them. Specific dietary needs are clearly recorded and respected to ensure all children in her care remain

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy. Regular opportunities are made on a daily basis for children to enjoy the outdoors to promote a healthy lifestyle. The childminder is fully aware that her garden can limit physical play due to its size, and therefore compensates with frequent visits to local parks where children can fun freely as they develop large physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a homely environment where risks are identified and minimised to ensure their safety. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, through organising trips to the local fire station and a talk from the road safety officer, this gives the children an excellent awareness of the dangers of fire, the importance of personal safety through first hand knowledge, and greatly increases their understanding of the essential roles people play in society to protect us. Children are able to easily access toys directly from those provided by the childminder, who ensures resources are rotated to give children regular opportunities to make choices and develop their independence. They are well organised within the home and outside to ensure they are developmentally appropriate for the children currently attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder, who has a clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures and gives top priority to promoting children's welfare.

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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 are encouraged to be confident, independent and to develop their self esteem through the warm and supportive relationship developed with the childminder. Resources and activities are planned in advance to build on children's imagination and develop an understanding of the world around them, such as exploring the effects of fire through art and craft activities and enjoying day trips to places of interest during school holidays. Children benefit from a good range of activities, which they can access freely and are confident in asking for specific resources to support their play. Children's play is extended through appropriate questioning by the childminder, who ensures she is available at all times. Daily opportunities are made to provide children with a range of indoor and outdoor activities and this ensures that their interest is sustained and varied in different environments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder listens to and values what children say, talks with them about what they are doing and has high expectations of what they can achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, pictures and play resources promote understanding of other cultures and festivals celebrated around the world. Clear, well written information held by the childminder ensures that their needs are recognised and met. Children's awareness of the needs of others is encouraged through planned outings with other childminders who care for children with special needs and this contributes to their understanding and acceptance of others in a positive way. The childminder has identified the need to further develop her own practice to ensure that children with special needs are provided with the relevant activities and play opportunities, and as a result children will be appropriately included and their welfare and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

development better promoted, according to their needs. Children's behaviour is good, they respond well to the high expectations of the childminder, who ensures age appropriate explanations are consistently given to help children learn right from wrong. Relationships with parents are very good. Children's individual needs are able to be met as the childminder monitors the quality of care offered, by seeking the views of the parents, who all comment favourably in writing on the care their children receive. She chats to parents informally as children are collected to ensure they know how their children are settling and progressing on a daily basis.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel settled and comfortable in a well organised environment, which is geared to meeting their needs. They are confident to participate in meaningful activities to extend their learning where they have direct access to play resources at their level. Children benefit from the knowledge and understanding the childminder has gained through attending a range of relevant courses, for example child protection training undertaken last year ensures that any concerns are dealt with effectively to safeguard and promote children's welfare. Currently the childminder is completing a relevant level three qualification where newly acquired skills are influencing her daily practice to positively support and extend children's learning experiences. Clear, well written documentation is used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning experiences of the children; these are stored confidentially and regularly

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Organisation

shared with parents. A written risk assessment ensures the provision is regularly monitored to keep children safe and to enable them to make good progress in all areas of their development. Overall the needs of the children currently attending are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no areas identified at the last inspection for improvement.

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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 • continue to develop knowledge and skills to ensure children with special needs are included and provided with relevant activities and play opportunities that promote their welfare and development.

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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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