Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311990 Inspection date 11 January 2006 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 husband and four children aged 14, 11, 9 and 3 in a village near King's Lynn. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The garden is currently not able to be used due to building work being undertaken. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding two children under the age of eight years before and after school. She also cares for children over the age of eight years. The childminder drives to the local schools 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 a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The home is clean and well maintained and effective hygiene procedures are in place to safeguard children. A health and hygiene policy is followed and shared with parents. The children are reminded to wash their hands prior to eating and individual hand towels and other facilities ensure good hygiene practice. Explanations are not always given to help children's understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. Effective procedures are in place to ensure the dog does not pose any risk to children's health and well-being. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection by the sick children policy. Children's food likes and dislikes are established in a questionnaire completed by parents when the childminding arrangement starts. Information is obtained from parents to ensure the childminder is fully aware of any allergies suffered by children in her care to prevent any risk of a reaction to food provided. Details of the

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Helping children to be healthy

arrangements made with parents for the provision of food are not recorded. Children are given a variety of snacks on their return from school. Nutritious foods are not offered as a first option and children are not, therefore, learning the value of a healthy diet. They do not sit together to eat making it a social occasion. Drinking water is always available to ensure children do not become dehydrated. Due to distance, children are not able to walk to and from school to give them an opportunity for physical exercise and the garden is currently out of use due to building work. Children are taken to the park during school holidays to ensure their needs for physical exercise are met at this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel welcome in the child-centred home with toys very much in evidence. They are able to play safely in the secure premises with potential risks assessed and minimised. Toys and equipment are easily accessible in a well-organised cupboard and older children access toys and equipment in the bedrooms. Children use the limited space effectively to develop their imaginative play and are able to undertake craft activities at the dining table. Equipment is of good quality, clean and well maintained. Children learn to keep themselves safe when they practise the fire drill. Regular checking of the smoke alarms takes place to ensure immediate notification of any risk from fire. Children follow simple rules when out walking or when travelling in the car. Procedures are in place to keep them safe, for example badges giving the childminder's mobile telephone number are worn by children and emergency contact

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

numbers are always to hand. Children learn the 'Green Cross Code' to keep them

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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 safe. Children are well protected from possible neglect or abuse. A clear policy is in place and the childminder has a good understanding of the procedure to follow if she has any concerns. Information and the contact telephone number is easily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and confident in the childminder's care. They eagerly enter the house on their return from school and start to play. The childminder plans activities appropriate for the wide age group of the children attending, which they willingly undertake. Children all get on well together and play imaginatively with the role play activities, the older children taking the initiative and encouraging the younger children's play. Children are not encouraged to practise their decision making and independence skills at all times, for example, pouring own drinks at snack time. They all undertake the planned activity together. The children's self-esteem is enhanced as the childminder gives praise and encouragement and values each child's contribution. Children share experiences with her about events at school and are very relaxed and secure. The childminder asks questions to develop their thinking skills as they create a scrap book 'All about me' to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

record activities they undertake in 2006. The childminder plans a wide variety of activities to provide challenges for children, for example sewing, cooking and playing board games. Children are very well behaved responding to the positive, caring role model provided by the childminder. They are kind and caring towards each other and very aware of right from wrong. Explanations are given to help their understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging and are secure, relaxed and at ease in the childminder's care. She is very aware of the individual needs of all the children and ensures activities are planned which they can all undertake at their own level. She is pro-active in her attitude towards the care of children with special needs. Her interaction with the children, and the value placed on their contributions, raises their self-esteem. Resources available help children develop a positive attitude to others and they learn about festivals celebrated by different cultures through planned projects. Positive house rules have been devised and are displayed. The behaviour management policy is shared with parents to ensure consistency in dealing with any difficulties which may occur. Children are well behaved, kind and caring towards each other. The childminder ensures she obtains consent from parents for all aspects of

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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's care to ensure their welfare is safeguarded. Children benefit from the high level of satisfaction with the childminding arrangement as expressed in a questionnaire completed by parents at the childminder's request. She ensures they are fully aware of her responsibilities and the care she provides for their children through discussion and policies and procedures which are written down and agreed with parents. A complaints log has not yet been set up.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for by the childminder who has a high regard for all the children. Her practice is underpinned by policies and procedures which help parents to understand and agree the care their children receive. The childminder ensures that all adults having access to minded children are suitable and a support system is in place to ensure children would receive appropriate care in an emergency situation. Effective use is made of the limited space available to enable children to play and move around the premises freely. The documentation is very well organised, accessible and stored confidentially to ensure children's welfare. All the records necessary to ensure children's health and well-being are generally in place and appropriately maintained. The childminder is aware of the need to notify Ofsted when the conservatory being constructed is completed. Overall, the needs of the children attending are met.

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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

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): • encourage children to practise their independence and decision making skills • record details of the arrangements made with parents for the provision of meals and snacks.

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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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