Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 250816 Inspection date 03 February 2006 Inspector Gill Thornton

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in a small village near Stowmarket in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 part-time, and 3 children after school. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and nursery. The family has a cat and a budgerigar.

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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 experienced in supporting children with special needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well established routines. Children's health is promoted because the childminder is very well informed about children's individual health care needs and works closely with parents to ensure children's health is maintained. Parents give verbal permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are well nourished. The childminder takes account of children's individual dietary needs and preferences to provide nutritious, home cooked meals These always include fresh vegetables, sometimes which children have helped grow in the garden. The childminder is active in ensuring she supports parents in encouraging their children to eat well. Meal times are a social occasion where everyone sits down together, which helps children learn good table manners. Children are learning about

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Helping children to be healthy

the importance of having a balanced diet through discussions while enjoying choosing, preparing, cooking and eating meals with the childminder. Children enjoy a range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They take part in activities to help develop control of their bodies through regularly playing in the garden on the excellent range of outdoor equipment. Children have access to climbing frames, balance beams, pogo sticks and a range of bikes. They also enjoy going for nature walks in local woods. Children have many opportunities to develop their fine motor skills through using resources such as the wide variety of construction kits or threading activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment where they move about freely and safely in the childminder's spacious home. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder supervises their play and has taken all the necessary steps to reduce risks to children. For example, fitting cupboard locks in the kitchen and ensuring fires are securely guarded. Children learn about safety through discussions and while sharing books such as Fireman Sam. Children have access to an extensive range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are stored in a well organised storage cupboard in the playroom so that children can self select toys and resources. Children are kept safe on outings in the car because the childminder ensures they are able to put on their own seat belts and she takes emergency contact numbers and a first aid kit with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern.

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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 Her child protection statement is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled and have good and trusting relationships with the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. Children's self-esteem is promoted because the childminder shows genuine pride in their achievements and puts their interests and welfare first. The childminder promotes children's development through the use of open ended questions to encourage their thinking skills. Children are motivated and interested in what they see and do because the childminder provides an extensive range of activities and play opportunities using her sound knowledge of child development. For example, providing an assorted range of interesting collage materials for children to explore. Children are able to freely choose from a stimulating range toys and equipment so that they can initiate their own play and follow their own interests. The large range and quantity of both indoor and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outdoor toys offers challenge to children of all ages. Children are enthusiastic about their play, for example, a child excitedly explaining about the toys they like to play with most.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a sense of belonging because they are all included and valued. For example, the childminder proudly displays photographs of all the children she has minded over the past 17 years in her 'Hall of Fame' by the entrance used by the children and their parents. Children have equal opportunities to access resources and equipment that meet their individual needs, so that they can become confident and independent. The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with special needs and works in partnership with parents to ensure children's specific needs are met. Children are developing an understanding of the wider society through becoming involved in the local community and they have access to toys and resources promoting diversity. Children are learning to value and respect each others differences through sensitive discussions with the childminder. Children learn about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

responsible behaviour through praise and encouragement and the use of clear and consistent boundaries of expected behaviour. The childminder uses strategies appropriate to children's individual stages of development and ensures children are familiar with her rules and routines. Children benefit from a strong partnership with parents and carers. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents to ensure their wishes are followed regarding their children's care. Information is shared verbally on collection to ensure children's changing needs are met. Parents are glowing in their praise of the

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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 childminder commenting on her flexibility, that she provides stability and routine and that children are physically and emotionally happy in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder successfully organises her home and garden to provide a stimulating and child friendly environment. She skilfully uses her knowledge of the individual children to provide a meaningful range of activities and resources to support their care, learning and play. Children's well-being is promoted by the well-organised documentation maintained by the childminder. However, she does not currently provide parents with written information outlining the service she provides. The childminder follows sound procedures to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the premises, including the garden and driveway, where kept secure. She always securely locks the main gate when children are playing outside and the front door is always kept locked, so enhancing children safety. She was also asked to practice an emergency escape plan; children are aware of the procedures and where to go in an emergency, so enhancing their ability to keep themselves safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • develop system of sharing information with parents about the childminding service provided

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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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