Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY308768 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Rosalie Mary Turner

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She works with three other registered childminders, in a setting based in one of their homes, in a village, near to Great Yarmouth. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has cold water fish, chickens, a cat and a guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. When she is working with other childminders or assistants, then a maximum of 12 children may be cared for. The childminder is jointly caring for 15 children who attend

p.2

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 on a part-time basis. She also cares for children who are over 8 years of age. The childminder is willing to take children to and collect them from the local schools and playgroups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and very well maintained home. For example, the childminder uses anti-bacterial cleaner on surfaces and the tiled floor is easy to wipe clean to ensure a high level of hygiene. As a result, children are protected from the spread of infection. Older children are actively aware of good practices to prevent cross infection. They take their shoes off when entering the setting and wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. However, toddlers do not have their hands cleaned before they eat their snack. Therefore, they could be at risk from the spread of germs because they eat with their fingers. Children's well-being is assured because the childminder can act quickly if they are unwell. For instance, she is trained to administer first aid and has parents' written consent to enable her to seek emergency medical care if children are seriously ill or hurt. As a result, children are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

able to receive immediate help to ensure that they can make a speedy recovery. Children are beginning to understand the benefit of a healthy diet. They are prompted to have drinks throughout the day and their personal drinking containers are always within view. Children are thriving because they are provided with a well balanced range of wholesome foods, for example, home made chicken nuggets, sausages, fresh vegetables, pasta and meats. They begin to understand the benefits of healthy eating because the childminder offers them choices of nutritious snacks such as fruit and breadsticks. Children have worthwhile opportunities to experience active play both indoors and outside to promote their well-being. They are taken for walks to enable them to access fresh air if the garden is too wet for them to play outside. Therefore, children are learning to develop a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Younger children are

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

given enthusiastic encouragement to gain control over their bodies as they jump to catch bubbles and move to music. Children use a commendable range of tools and resources to help them develop their manipulative skills such as pencils, brushes, activity centres and cause and effect toys. Toddlers particularly enjoy exploring the treasure basket and, as a result, are demonstrating pleasing hand to eye co-ordination.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a child centred environment where positive steps have been taken to ensure their safety. Younger children benefit from close interaction, such as

p.3

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 lap time, and are emotionally secure. They separate from their parents with ease and quickly settle when they see the valuable range of safe, attractive toys that are set out in the playroom. Children of all ages independently select resources which are of high quality, safe and well maintained. The childminder is careful to store equipment for older children separately to ensure babies do not have access to toys which contain small pieces. As a result, the older children are learning to take responsibility for safety because they know they must keep their resources away from the babies. Children play freely and safely because the childminder carries out thorough checks to ensure that hazards, such as those from low-level sockets or cleaning materials, have been identified and minimised. Children are also learning to keep themselves

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe from danger because the childminder practises fire drills with them so they are able to escape quickly and safely in an emergency. Children are safeguarded as they are neither left alone with persons who have not been vetted nor released to adults unless parents have given their consent. The childminder has a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and she keeps local child protection guidance to hand. Therefore, she is able to act quickly to protect children from the risk of possible harm.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and have an excellent relationship with the childminder because she is consistently kind and sensitive in her approach to them. Her quiet, calm interaction is soothing to the toddlers who respond well. They are confident to seek physical contact with the childminder and frequently climb on to her lap for cuddles. Children's learning and achieving is given the utmost priority within the vibrant play environment. The childminder reviews play provision to ensure that children are able to repeat activities, reinforce their newly acquired skills and learn at their own pace, regardless of their patterns of attendance. Therefore, children at differing stages of development make rapid progress in all areas of their learning. Children are fully occupied and spend their time purposefully engaged in meaningful play because the childminder is extremely effective in matching the activities to their

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interests. For instance, she adapts the words of an action rhyme in response to a child's enthusiasm for fire engines. The childminder also uses the excellent variety of stimulating play resources to enrich play and she is extremely skilled in offering reassurance to develop children's skills. For example, she encourages a toddler to respond to the challenge of completing a puzzle by saying 'You've nearly done it! Well done, that's brilliant!' As a result, children are keen to learn and they make extremely good progress. Children are well stimulated to build on their existing skills through the childminder's excellent support. For example, she makes exceptionally pleasing reference to colour

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and number to ask questions that encourage children to think, such as 'How many have we got?' 'Where does the pussycat go?' Children are making rapid progress in their communication skills because the childminder talks to them about what they are doing. She sits with them as they explore and encourages toddlers to speak by repeating new words that she carefully incorporates into their play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal regard and feel a sense of belonging as the childminder welcomes children from all backgrounds. Children have plenty of opportunities to learn about themselves and become aware of diversity through the positive resources that reflect our multi-cultural society. Children learn to feel good about themselves because the childminder uses their names and smiles at them to help them to feel valued and included. As a result, children are developing good self esteem and respect for others. Children of all abilities are helped to reach their full potential as the childminder is experienced in providing care for children having identified special educational needs. The childminder's thorough understanding of how young children develop enables her to recognise any delay. Therefore, she can consult with parents and outside agencies to ensure that children quickly receive support to help them to make

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

progress. Children are developing personal independence. For instance, babies set their own routines for eating and sleeping while older children make choices and take decisions within their play. Children are well supported to share toys and, therefore, are learning to show care and concern for each other. Children are very well behaved. They respond positively to the childminder's commendable example to them. She is calm and consistent, praising behaviour that is wanted to help the children to model their behaviour on her polite example. The childminder provides high levels of support to the young children. She gives clear explanations if she intervenes and talks to the children about their actions. For instance, 'We don't climb do we? We don't want you to fall and hurt yourself.' As a result, children are learning to distinguish between right and wrong and they play harmoniously together.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents and carers are strong. Children's individual needs are able to be met as the childminder records parents' wishes for their care before minding commences. Their continued well-being is assured through the valuable two way flow of information between the childminder and home. For example, information is exchanged daily as children are delivered and collected which enables the childminder to provide care that is appropriate to children's current needs. The childminder feels that parents are pleased with the service that is provided. However, she has developed procedures to guide carers and has methods to record details of any complaints that may arise in future. Consequently, children's welfare is promoted because parents are able to make their concerns known and be informed of any

p.5

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 issues with the service provided.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's well-being is supported by the skilful organisation of the resources together with the childminder's in depth knowledge of child development. She continues to update her training to ensure that children are always given care in accordance with current guidelines and legislation. Children have maximum opportunities to play freely and extend their learning because the premises are very well organised. For example, children are provided with areas for messy play, physical play and free floor space to explore, as well as quiet areas for sleeping or where they are able to concentrate. All legally required documentation is robustly maintained to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The very effective registration system ensures that the childminder knows who is present at all times to safeguard children's well-being. She reviews children's personal details and contracts with parents every year and keeps

p.6

Organisation

letters from them if details change. As a result, children are provided with care that is appropriate to their current requirements. Overall the provision effectively meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6

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 learn about personal hygiene by ensuring that they wash their hands before snack time.

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7