Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 250791 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Mary Gilbert

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and son aged 3 in Framlingham, Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor, except the utility room, is used for childminding, together with two bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to school to take and collect children. The childminder attends several local parent toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the local child minding network.

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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 have a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain healthy because the childminder provides a range of physical activities and follows procedures which promotes their well-being. There are daily opportunities for physical exercise. For example, children are encouraged to play in the garden or taken for walks to the market, park or castle. Children are able to sleep or rest according to their needs. They learn that it is important to wash their hands before eating. The logging of accidents and medication takes place. However, confidentiality might be compromised by having details of more than one child visible. Should a child become unwell whilst in the care of the childminder, there are good processes in place to care for the child and to inform parents or to seek advice or treatment. Children are provided with a healthy balanced diet. The childminder works with parents to provide nutritious meals and snacks which include a variety of fresh fruit

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Helping children to be healthy

which children choose from the local market. Drinks are easily accessible for children at all times.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure environment. The playroom provides opportunities for display of children's photos and pictures which develops their sense of belonging. Other areas of the house are available for children to use for different purposes. For example, children can use the table for eating or messy play, and floor space in the lounge provides opportunities for a wide range of carpet games. The childminder is proactive in ensuring risks within the house and garden are minimised to keep children safe. Precautions are taken when taking children out to ensure they are safe. For example, they are secured in car seats when in the car and emergency details carried. Children can make independent choices from a wide variety of resources, both indoors and out. These are stored to provide easy access and regularly checked to ensure they remain safe to use. Children are encouraged to tidy things away when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they have finished using them. Children are protected from possible abuse and neglect. The childminder has attended relevant training and is aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns.

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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 satisfactory. Children are happy, confident and settled in the setting. They develop good relationships with each other and the childminder who interacts well in their play developing their thinking skills by asking appropriate questions. Children have access to a range of activities related to their own interests as well as developing new skills. Some activities are planned, particularly those outside the home. For example, they attend a music group and go to toddler and childminding groups. However, children under three would benefit from the childminder using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'. Daily routines provide for children's needs, for example, in taking and collecting from school, and the provision of times the day for quieter activities such as sharing books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are known by the childminder who works hard to ensure these needs are met. They learn to care for one another and share activities and resources. Children respect the boundaries of behaviour set, and respond well to the praise and encouragement provided by the childminder. Children benefit from the development of good relationships built between their parents and the childminder. Parents are able to read most of the prepared policies which inform them of the care provided. There is a daily verbal exchange of information. Most information is written down, but there is a need to review on a regular basis to ensure written details are up to date.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is supported by clear organisation and a high level of adult support which has a positive impact on their well-being. Children are welcomed into an environment which has been prepared, enables them to feel at home and stimulates their play. The records, policies and procedures work in practise to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend play equipment to reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. New resources have been purchased which include books, videos, dolls and play food. The childminder shares other resources through the local childminding group. She was also asked to

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 consider where children's records are stored to ensure they maintain confidentiality. These are now stored in a file kept upstairs. The third recommendation was to make sure parents sign the medicine record book to acknowledge the entry. This is now taking place. However, there are entries relating to more than one child on each page, which could compromise confidentiality.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the previous 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 others 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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop effective procedures to ensure the procedures for administering medication and recording accidents maintain confidentiality • improve outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'. • review procedures for updating children's records to ensure that the information they contain is up to date.

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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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