Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY253866 Inspection date 25 August 2005 Inspector Sally Ann Hubbard

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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 2002. She lives with her family which includes two children aged seven and four years in the seaside village of Heacham. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding eight children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group, takes children to the local library, park and to the beach. The childminder has two

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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 cats as pets. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and meets with other registered childminders living in the village.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. They learn about appropriate personal hygiene such as washing hands when they come in from playing outside and before eating. Children’s health is protected by the childminder's good awareness of appropriate general hygiene, such as washing hands before preparing food and she has arrangements in place not to care for them when they are ill. Children’s medical needs are met because the childminder asks for clear information when they first register with her; she keeps appropriate records and is able to administer first aid to children. Children enjoy freshly prepared snacks and meals and the childminder encourages them to learn about healthy eating through discussions about food. Their dietary needs are met as the childminder obtains sufficient information from parents about any allergies, likes or dislikes. Children benefit from playing with a range of suitable physical play equipment in the

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Helping children to be healthy

safe, enclosed garden area when weather permits. They are able to learn about being healthy and exercise as they discuss this while they are out for walks with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is well promoted as the childminder supervises them well and understands how to minimise risks, for example, making sure the outside area is safe by securing the gates and making sure the grass is not too slippery and keeping the front door locked to prevent unwanted visitors or children escaping. This enables children to play safely and independently both indoors and out. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan and exits from the premises are kept clear; however she has not practised this with the children to further promote their understanding and safety. Children can select activities from a good range of suitable and safe toys and resources which the childminder ensures conform to current safety standards, most of them she buys from new, using reputable suppliers. She checks all her toys and equipment regularly and removes any that are broken or damaged so that children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

can’t hurt themselves. Children are protected by the childminder who has good awareness of the signs and

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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 symptoms of abuse and child protection issues and knows how to safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, well settled and part of the family. They have good relationships with each other and the childminder who gives children appropriate attention and cuddles helping them feel secure. Children show they are caring, for example, one of the younger children responds to the doll crying by cradling her in her arms and feeding her the bottle. Children are also learning to share and co-operate with each other, such as when one child goes to get a spoon from the drawer to give to another child to use. Children are developing independence and confidence as they enjoy a choice of planned activities with the different ages mixing well and playing together. The childminder sits and plays with the children encouraging the younger ones to share and take turns with equipment. Older children enjoy playing the little mermaid game on the TV and doing the creative activities, which are adapted to suit all ages, by the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder. Children are proud of their work and feel valued as some of this is displayed on the notice board. They are able to learn about and celebrate special events such as Halloween, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. The childminder is beginning to use the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to enable her to help the youngest children in her care develop. For example the sticking activity is adapted with the very young children are able to use pritt sticks instead of runny glue.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all able to take part in activities and use resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They are treated equally but as individuals according to their needs. The childminder has positive attitudes towards others and uses her resources and activities to help children develop an understanding of diversity, for example looking at some of the different festivals people celebrate. She is aware that some children may have special needs and would take suitable action by speaking to the parents first if she had worries about any child in her care. Children are well behaved; they get on well together and are learning how to behave appropriately. This is because the childminder is positive and provides them with a good role model, she is sensitive to individual children and successfully uses distraction when a child has difficulty sharing, reinforcing that it's good to share by

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Helping children make a positive contribution

speaking to the child quietly. Children are made aware of her house rules and she makes sure she gives them explanations if for example something they are doing is

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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 not safe. The childminder has good relationships with parents and makes sure she has time to share information with them on a daily basis. Clear records enable her to effectively meet children’s individual needs and respect parents' wishes as she asks for full information about their likes, dislikes, preferences and any other special requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to feel very at home as the childminder is very well organised and prepared for her childminding day, often getting activities and resources ready the night before. This means that children can immediately choose toys and activities when they arrive and involve themselves in play. Children are well supervised as the childminder spends all of her time during the day playing with them and helping them with activities. Children benefit from the childminder being appropriately qualified, having attended the initial training, and she is currently booked onto further training to help her develop her knowledge and skills. The childminder keeps clear, well organised records, which are readily available and contain all details about the care individual children need. She is able to effectively meet the need of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure she completed the register as children arrive and to maintain good hygiene practices regarding potty training. The register is now marked when children arrive, and again as they leave, showing times, which means that numbers of children attending are accurate in the event of an emergency situation. Hygiene is good with regard to potty training as the potty is kept in the bathroom and children are taken upstairs to use it. As a result children are better protected from risk of infection.

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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): • practise the fire evacuation procedure with minded 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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