Childminder in NorfolkOfsted inspection, 21 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 256467 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Lindsey Ann Cullum

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children, aged seventeen and thirteen, in Swanton Morley, Norfolk. All areas of the property, with the exception of the workshop downstairs and one bedroom upstairs, are registered for use by minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Local amenities are within walking distance of the home. The family has a dog, a cat and fish as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder is currently caring for twelve children

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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 on a part-time basis, some of whom are over the age of eight years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of activities which contribute to their physical development and promote a healthy lifestyle. They walk to and from school or pre-school each day and enjoy walks to the library or to the local park. Opportunities are provided for outdoor play in the garden where children can run freely, promoting a positive attitude to exercise. Children's normal routines are incorporated and they are able to rest or sleep according to their needs, contributing to their well-being. Children are learning the importance of a healthy diet as they eat a varied and nutritious diet. The childminder provides meals for some children, which cater for their dietary needs, likes and dislikes and parents' wishes are respected. Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are provided as snacks and included in meals, promoting children's healthy growth and development. Drinks are readily available and the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is mindful of the amount children drink to ensure they have sufficient to keep them healthy. Mealtimes are treated as relaxed, social occasions with all the children seated together at the table. They are able to become independent at feeding themselves and table manners are encouraged. Children are cared for in a suitably clean and maintained home. Some resources, particularly those which have been stored for some time require cleaning prior to use, ensuring they are suitable for children's use. Effective measures are in place to minimise the risk of cross infection, for example, washing hands after using the toilet and clear procedures for managing children's sickness. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has updated her first aid training and undertaken a food hygiene course. Systems are in place to record any accidents or medication administered and children's health needs, which enables appropriate care to be provided.

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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 homely environment where they feel comfortable and secure. Their safety is maintained indoors through the childminder's good supervision and understanding of the risks for children. She carefully monitors the children's activities and provides clear explanations which help raise children's awareness of their own and other children's safety whilst playing. Children play freely in the living room where a range of toys and resources are accessible to them, promoting their development. They are able to select additional items from a cupboard in the lounge or from low shelving in the hallway, fostering their independence. When playing in the garden children's safety is not fully safeguarded as hazards are present.

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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 Children enjoy regular outings with the childminder who has clear strategies in place to keep them safe, for example, ensuring young children hold the childminder's hand when walking. Children learn about road safety as they discuss this with the childminder and practise safe crossing when out. Most documentation is in place to safeguard children's welfare, however, written consent for children to go on outings is not obtained from parents. Children are protected as the childminder understands her role and responsibilities in child protection and is familiar with local child protection guidelines and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They develop warm and trusting relationships with the childminder which builds their confidence. The childminder involves herself in children's activities and asks questions which encourage children to think and share their ideas, for example, how will your car get onto the brick bridge. Children's self-esteem is enhanced as the childminder is caring in her approach and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children are well supported enabling them to try out new skills which promote their learning. They are developing a caring attitude towards each other through the childminder's good example. They talk and listen to each other, are helpful, able to share, take turns and play co-operatively. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has incorporated some of the play and practical support ideas into the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities she provides for younger children. Children are familiar with the daily routine which offers a balance of adult directed and free play activities. They are stimulated by what is on offer and spend their time purposefully engaged in play. Children's language skills are promoted as the childminder talks and listens carefully to children and introduces new words during their play. Children are beginning to identify different colours and shapes and learning to count as they build a tower with bricks. Their imaginations are stimulated through creative activities, for example, colouring and sticking or whilst making a tent under the dining table. Children enjoy outings and are encouraged to explore and investigate the natural environment, for example, finding objects of interest such as a bird's egg. Children's learning is enhanced as the childminder makes time to discuss with children the things they see or uses books to find which type of bird laid the egg.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Consequently, children are making good progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals helping them to feel valued. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and responding to their personal needs during the day. All children have access to age appropriate toys and play materials which promote their development. Older children are able to contribute their ideas for future activities and these are planned into the timetable, fostering children's confidence

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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 and valuing their input. Planned activities, resources and discussion raises children's awareness of the wider world and helps them develop a positive attitude towards others. The childminder ensures that children with specific needs are fully included in all activities and that she liaises closely with parents to accommodate the needs of all children within the provision. Children are happy and well behaved. They are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong and to respect each other as the childminder provides careful explanations of why behaviour is inappropriate. She uses positive strategies to manage children's behaviour and shares these methods with the parents to encourage consistency. Children are encouraged to share and play co-operatively through the childminder's caring and sensitive support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong and trusting partnership which has developed between the childminder and parents. The childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure she is familiar with children's needs, enabling appropriate care to be provided. Children's continued well-being is assured through the valuable daily discussions with parents, which keep them up to date with their child's progress, routine and activities enjoyed that day. The use of several written policies and procedures advises parents of the care that is provided and their wishes are actively sought and respected, promoting the welfare of their child. Systems are in place to receive comments, suggestions or complaints from parents enabling them to raise any concerns if they are unhappy with any element of their child's care. Parents' have expressed their positive views on the good standard of care their child receives whilst in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and secure in the childminder's home. They benefit from the care of an experienced childminder who understands how children learn, enabling them to make progress in all areas of their development. The childminder has completed initial training in childminding practice, updated her first aid knowledge and attended other short courses, for example, food hygiene and communication skills to extend her childcare knowledge. The childminder organises her home effectively to accommodate children's play, mealtimes and rests, promoting their development. Checks have been completed to ensure that persons living in the household are suitable. All the required documentation is in place and suitably maintained to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder takes account of parents wishes and shares information each day to ensure continuity of care for children. Overall, the needs of

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was required to update her first aid training. She completed a course in May 2003. She was asked to ensure she is

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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 operating within local planning requirements and maintain the cleanliness of her home, toys and equipment. The childminder contacted the local planning office and was required to take no further action. She monitors the cleanliness of her home and resources, helping to maintain children's well-being. The cleanliness of outdoor play materials is raised as a recommendation from this inspection.

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Complaints since the last 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 other than those made to Ofsted. There are no complaints to record.

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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): • conduct a risk assessment of the garden to identify and minimise any hazards for children and ensure that outdoor equipment is clean and suitable for use • obtain written parental consent prior to children taking part in any outings.

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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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