Barr, Carolyn Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY219130 Inspection date 09 June 2005 Inspector Jane Louise Tallent

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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 husband and four children in a two storey property in Hellesdon, on the outskirts of Norwich. They have four children who are aged 11, 12, 15 and 16 years old. Minded children have access to all of the house, although they spend most of their play time downstairs. The main areas that children use to play in are the play room, kitchen, and hallway. They have easy access to a downstairs toilet. There are three fully enclosed parts of the garden, for different aged children to play in, simultaneously. The garden includes an adventure area with bark floor cover, a

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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 grass area and concrete area where children can ride on. Pre-school groups and schools are easily accessible. The family have cold water fish that are kept in a raised, covered pond in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very well organised, tidy and hygienic environment. They are all familiar with daily routines and are helped to develop socially as they sit and talk together with other children, at a low table in the kitchen for snacks and meal times. The children also settle quickly into routines, which enable them to have undisturbed sleep when they need to. Children show good levels of independence as they eat their snacks, and older children are able to use the downstairs toilet without assistance. They are offered ample drinks throughout the day, and some take responsibility for their own personal hygiene by washing their hands appropriately before eating and after using the toilet. The children have individual towels to use, which also help them with their colour recognition. Children eat well because snacks and meals are suitably well organised and planned around their dietary requirements. They have regular opportunities to

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Helping children to be healthy

play outside in the garden and are able to play safely because the fencing is arranged so that it effectively divides the garden into areas that allow older children to climb and move quickly without disrupting younger children from their play. This promotes all of the children's physical development and allows them to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children of all ages have good opportunities to play, explore and develop a wealth of skills within a safe environment. The children know where toys are stored and can access them easily, although the tall storage unit in the play room is unsecured and could present as a potential risk to children. However, because children can choose what they want to play with, they are able to make practical decisions on how to spend most of their day. The children are comfortable and confidently move around inside and outside, as they play. They can sit safely in the car and their safety is well prioritised while they are on outings, with permission slips, insurance cover, first aid equipment and risk assessments in place. There is also an effective registration system in place, and all records are sufficiently well maintained for children's needs to be understood and their welfare promoted. The child protection awareness procedure is well understood

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

so that children are suitably protected.

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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 good. Children are friendly and have formed good relations with other children and adults, in the home. All children interact well with the childminder, either through facial smiles, or as they chatter and play together. The children are keen to share their successes and eagerly show adults what they can do, when they draw and make collage plate faces during craft activities. All children are able to choose toys from accessible storage units in the main play room. Older children can gain some additional privacy by playing in another room or by going outside, as appropriate. Individual children's sleep patterns are respected and their interests are well developed. The children feel able to ask for tractors, balls, crafts, construction toys, puzzles, books and writing materials, with adults responding favourably to these requests. This sort of co-operation has a positive impact on the children' s

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

self-esteem, as part of their emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for according to their differing needs, and are able to show consideration for others as they play. Children with special needs are fully included because the childminder knows all children well and adapts the environment accordingly. They learn sensitivity for other children, and are able to extend their play experiences by having easy access to a wide variety of resources, some of which positively depict cultures, abilities and festivals. Overall, children behave well and respond positively to instructions from the childminder. They are helped to be considerate of each other's needs, as they play together, by the childminder who consistently reinforces simple boundaries for them. The children know how to share and take turns, which enables them to play happily alongside other children. Children benefit from the daily exchanges of information that take place between the childminder and parents, when children arrive and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

depart. Many parents have provided references and cards in which they make positive comments about the quality of their children's care, and express their satisfaction that the needs of their children are well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a fun, welcoming and very well organised environment. They also benefit from the childminder's wealth of knowledge and practical experience of different stages of childcare development. Children's health and safety is well prioritised by the childminder because she completes relevant training courses to keep her knowledge up to date and is fully aware of the need to notify Ofsted of significant changes and events. The children's routines and individual details are thoroughly documented to make sure that their needs are understood. In

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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 this way the children's welfare is well promoted and the needs of all children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop a behaviour management policy. She has made good progress and has an appropriate behaviour management policy in place which she follows accordingly. Children behave well. They are helped to do this by the childminder, who makes good use of praise, to promote children's self-esteem and help them to be considerate of others. They are familiar with the routines and the simple house rules, which are implemented as part of the childminder's behavioural management policy.

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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): • make sure that children can play safely near to the tall bookshelf in the playroom.

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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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