Childminder in SuffolkOfsted inspection, 5 Dec 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 250857 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Susan Smith

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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 satisfactory. 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 1990. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 17 and 14 in a small village in Suffolk. The whole of the childminder’s bungalow is used for childminding and an area of the large garden leading from the patio doors has been fenced off to be available to minded children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 ten pet rabbits that are kept outside and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home, where they learn the importance of personal hygiene through well established routines. However, the childminder currently uses the same flannel and towel for all minded children which does not minimise the risk to children of cross infection. Children's health is promoted because the childminder is well-informed about children's health care matters and has the correct procedures in place for recording accidents and giving medication. If the children become unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder, records are in place to make sure that appropriate care is given. The majority of snacks and meals are provided by the parents for the childminder to give to the children. Drinks including water are made available for children throughout the day. Children enjoy a range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

They regularly go for walks and take part in physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, playing in the garden on the trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment where they move about freely and safely in the childminder's 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, in the garden a secure area has been partitioned off to keep children safe when playing outdoors and cupboards containing hazardous substances have been made inaccessible to children. They learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions about road safety and children benefit from a range of fire safety precautions including practising fire drills. Children have access to a range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. The childminder obtains parents' verbal consent to use the trampoline and follows the manufacturer's guidance regarding its use. Children are kept safe on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings because the childminder ensures she always takes emergency contact details and has a first aid kit with her. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern.

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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 Children are happy and well settled and have good relationships with the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. Children play happily together and are learning to share and take turns. They enjoy playing with the wide range of toys and resources provided by the childminder which are regularly rotated to take account of their individual interests and needs. Children's development is promoted because the childminder provides meaningful activities and asks questions to extend their learning. For example, while making puzzles together the childminder asked 'what do we need to do next?'. She offers encourages and suggestions to children so they persevere with activities, for example, in a pairing game she offers advice to a child who was about to give up,"see if you can find the blue strips".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's confidence is developing well because the childminder displays genuine interest and enjoyment in their achievements. She follows their interests and answers their questions in a manner appropriate to their stages of development, for example, explaining that it "was too cold to go to the beach in winter".

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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, and enjoy activities suitable to their stage of development. They are able to make choices and decisions about what they would like to do, for example, asking to make jigsaw puzzles, or requesting to colour in a picture. Children behave well. They learn about responsible behaviour because the childminder sets clear boundaries of expected behaviour and uses strategies to promote positive behaviour. For example, praising positive behaviour and achievements and using "time out" as a last resort. Children are gently reminded to say please and thank you. Children are developing an awareness of the wider world through books and television programmes promoting diversity. Children benefit from the positive partnerships developed with parents. Children settle well because the childminder ensures she follows parents' wishes to provide

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistency of care. Information is shared verbally with parents each day to keep them informed about the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home to provide a stimulating and child friendly environment in which children take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. Children benefit from regular routines to help them feel confident and secure. Children's well-being is promoted by the well-organised records and policies which are shared verbally with parents. However, she does not accurately record children's

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 time of arrival and departure and does not obtain written parental permissions for outings and transporting children in the car. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure accurate times of arrival and departure are recorded and parental permissions are obtained for outings and transporting children in the car • improve hygiene practises to reduce the risk of cross infection.

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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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