Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 251213 Inspection date 14 February 2006 Inspector Gill Thornton

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 20 in a village near Ipswich in Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged under five and two children over five on a part-time or full-time basis.

p.2

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 childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

p.2

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. Children's health is promoted because the childminder is well informed about their health care matters. However, she does not obtain written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, so potentially delaying children receiving immediate attention in an emergency. The childminder has attended first aid and food hygiene training to ensure she is aware of the correct procedures to follow to maintain children's health and prevent the spread of infection. Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder requests information from parents on their dietary needs and any allergies. Children bring packed lunches from home which they sit down to eat together at the kitchen table. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks such as fruit or breadsticks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have free access to drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. They rest or sleep according to their individual needs in their buggies or on the settee. Children enjoy a range of physical opportunities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder tries to ensure they have fresh air everyday through going for walks to the park or playing in the garden, where they enjoy activities such as skipping, hopscotch or playing 'It'.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment where they move about freely and safely. 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, ensuring all cleaning materials are stored out of children's reach and using a stair gate across the bottom of the stairs. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions about road safety. Children have access to a good range of high quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring that these are suitable for the ages of children attending. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder ensures she always takes emergency contact details, has parental permission and has a first aid kit with her. Children's welfare is safeguarded because

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder has attended child protection training and knows the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern. She shares her child protection policy with parents.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled and have good relationships with each other and the childminder who is sensitive and caring towards them. They enjoy spending time together and older children are caring and affectionate towards the younger ones and laughingly join in with their play. For example, happily playing 'Row, row, row' your boat when asked by a child. The childminder knows the children well and uses this knowledge to provide them with a wide range of activities and play opportunities which interest and motivate them. For example, while older children enjoyed playing pairs the childminder involved a younger child in 'playing cards' like the older ones and named and counted them. Children are able to access some resources independently, such as art and craft materials and choose from the toys available, which the childminder rotates depending on the ages and interests of the children attending.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is familiar with 'Birth to three matters' framework and incorporates some aspects of the framework into her good practice. For example, helping young children develop their language skills by responding to their questions and acknowledging their achievements. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder is interested in their play and takes time to listen to them. Younger children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills through attendance at toddler groups. The childminder adapts activities to ensure all children are able to participate at their own level. For example, sitting with a younger child encouraging her to draw with crayons while the older children were using felt tip pens.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a sense of belonging because the childminder knows them well and is interested in their play. For example, praising a child and encouraging them to explain what they had drawn. Children are valued and included and able to make positive choices about what they would like to do. They have equal opportunities to access resources and equipment that meet their individual needs, so that they can become confident and independent. The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with special needs and works in partnership with parents to ensure children's specific needs are met. Children have opportunities to become aware of the wider world through access to some resources reflecting diversity and the childminder is booked on a workshop to develop her understanding of promoting cultural diversity. Children learn about responsible behaviour through praise and encouragement and the use of clear and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent boundaries of expected behaviour. The childminder uses strategies appropriate to children's individual stages of development and gently reminds children to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

p.4

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 Children benefit from the positive partnerships the childminder fosters with parents to ensure their wishes are followed regarding their children's care. Information is shared verbally with parents on collection to keep them informed about their child's day and to ensure their changing needs are met.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder successfully 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's well-being is promoted by the well organised records and policies which are shared with parents to provide continuity of care. The childminder ensures that most of the required documentation and consents are in place to ensure children are looked after according to their parents wishes. However, consent to go on outings or in a vehicle is not in written form. The childminder follows sound procedures to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain consent from parents for outings. This has only been partially addressed and remains an area for improvement

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • improve documentation to ensure consent to go on outings and in a vehicle is in written form

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6