Ford Sonia Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY218208 Inspection date 01 August 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 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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and her three children in a detached property in Old Catton, which is on the outskirts of Norwich, in Norfolk. Her children are aged one, five and seven years old. Currently there are two children on roll. Children have access to all of the home although they mainly use downstairs rooms and a bathroom on the first floor of the house. There is an enclosed garden for children to play in. Local pre-school groups and schools are within easy reach. The family has a pet cat.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a busy, clean and hygienic environment, where older children assume some responsibility for their own personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. All of the children are protected from playing in a smoke filled environment as smokers only do so in the garden away from the children. The children each have different sleeping and eating routines to match their developmental needs and consequently not all of the younger children are able to sit with the others for snacks and at meal times. The childminder has a copy of the 'Birth to three matters framework' but does yet make good enough use of it to establish suitable sleep and play practice for babies. In reality, babies sleep in recliner seats and spend large amounts of time watching the other children from low chairs without sufficient face to face interaction. However, older children show good

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Helping children to be healthy

levels of independence as they eat and access their drinks independently throughout the day. The children's dietary needs are recorded so that meals are planned to encourage children to eat healthy options despite their obvious preference for sweet foods. The children have regular opportunities to play outside in the garden, and go on local outings, although the childminder has overlooked the need to renew her first aid certificate this year in order to competently deal with children's minor ailments. Overall the children's physical development is suitably promoted and they are helped to begin to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing, dressing up and colouring together in a bright and airy environment where their exposure to hazards is minimised. They use ample good quality toys and equipment which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. The children know where toys are stored and can access most of them easily from low storage units in the living room, which enables them to choose what they want to play with, and how to spend much of their time. The children move around the home confidently both inside and outdoors and their safety is well prioritised. All children are helped to understand how to stay safe, and are adequately protected when they travel by car. Younger children are secure because equipment is child size and appropriate use is made of restraints. All children's safety is well prioritised while they are on outings, with permission slips, insurance cover,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

first aid equipment and risk assessments in place. There is an effective registration system in place and records are sufficiently well maintained for children's needs to be understood and their welfare promoted. Children are well protected because the childminder is conversant with child protection procedures and understands how to make a referral.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children show good levels of confidence in their relationships with other children and adults, in the home environment. All children interact well with the childminder and some children chose to show her what they had been doing. They chatter happily as they colour sheets together and show good hand control as they use crayons by managing to stay inside the lines of the pictures. Older children are keen to share their successes and eagerly perform the shows that they have rehearsed. Babies enjoy watching from their seats but spend too much time seated to enable them to begin to explore and develop their own skills. Most children are able to choose toys from accessible storage units in the main play room which encourages their independence. Older children are able to gain some additional privacy by playing in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

an upstairs room or by going outside as appropriate. The children feel able to ask for additional resources such as dressing up clothes, and the childminder responds favourably to these requests. This sort of co-operation has a positive impact on children' s confidence and self-esteem as part of their emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for according to their differing needs, and demonstrate some consideration for others as they play, although they do not try to find a solution when one child has to colour their picture from upside down. They do, however, show sensitivity for one another at other times and have access to sufficient multi-cultural artefacts and resources. Overall, children behave well and respond positively to simple instructions from the childminder. The children know how to look out for the younger children and are beginning to share and take turns. This enables them to play happily alongside other children. Children with special needs are welcome in this setting because the childminder has attended training and understands how to adapt activities and the environment. All children benefit from the daily exchanges of information that take place between the childminder and parents when children arrive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and depart. These exchanges keep the parents well informed about the sort of day their child has had and also helps the parents to make decisions about the longer term care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a family environment, which is busy but well organised. They benefit from the childminder's practical experience of raising her own three young children and her attendance on childcare courses to update her knowledge and improve her practice. However, although she is aware of the need to notify Ofsted of significant changes and events, she recently overlooked her responsibility to tell Ofsted that she has two long term house guests. Children are confident to interact with all adults present and are not left unattended with adults who have not been vetted, which reduces their exposure to risks. Although the childminder does not display her certificate on the wall currently the children's routines and individual details are well documented, and well stored, to make sure that their needs are

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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 understood and good levels of confidentiality are maintained. Overall the children's needs are being met and their welfare is promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve resources to raise the children's awareness of disability issues. The children are able to cut out magazine pictures and look at books and TV programmes which positively depict disabilities in order to increase their awareness.

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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): • Make sure that a current first aid certificate is maintained, the registration certificate is displayed on the wall and Ofsted are notified as soon as possible of any changes to persons living on the premises who are over 16 years old. • Refer to 0-3 matters framework to improve play opportunities and sleeping arrangements for children in this age range.

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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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