Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 256121 Inspection date 21 September 2005 Inspector Sally Ann Hubbard

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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her adult children in a suburb of the town of King's Lynn. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding except for the second bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 14 children most of whom attend on a part time basis. She is also able to provide overnight care for one child under the age of eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and

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 drop-in and takes children to the local park. The childminder has one rabbit as a pet which children are able to have access to. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of the King’s Lynn Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s health is promoted as the childminder ensures that she asks for sufficient information from parents, for example, as to whether they suffer from any allergies or need any medication administered. Children are protected from illness as the childminder advises parents that she cannot look after them when they are sick and will ask parents to collect children if they become ill when in her care. However children are not learning about appropriate personal hygiene and how to keep healthy as they do not wash their hands before eating their snack on returning from school. The childminder is trained to respond to accidents appropriately as she holds a current first aid certificate and accidents are clearly recorded and shared with parents using the NCMA record book. However the contents of the first aid box are not adequate enough to enable the childminder to deal appropriately with a serious

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

accident to a child. Children are encouraged by the childminder to make healthy choices as she reminds them at snack time about the fruit that is available, some children have this and others choose alternative snacks. The dietary needs of very young children are met as the childminder fully discusses their needs with parents. Parents provide food for them which the childminder stores appropriately. Children with allergies are protected because the childminder asks about children's dietary needs and information is recorded on their records. Regular opportunities are provided for children to have physical play outside in the garden where they benefit from having a range of outdoor equipment available such as a small slide, trampoline, sand play, water play, cars and ride-on toys. Children also enjoy being out in the fresh air and having physical exercise on a daily basis as they go for walks and visit the local park with the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome in a warm, homely environment. The childminder is very friendly and caring and values children's work by displaying it, making them feel proud of their achievements. Children are well supervised and enjoy playing with the childminder throughout the day.

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 Children’s safety is promoted because the childminder is aware of safety issues and understands how to minimise risks, she gives children reminders, such as asking them to sit properly on the high chairs at the kitchen top. Children are kept safe when staying overnight as the childminder meets the Fire Safety Officer’s recommendations and children practise the emergency evacuation procedure. Children are able to enjoy trips out of the home on a daily basis with the childminder as they go to toddler groups, a drop-in and visit the town centre. They are generally transported safely such as when the childminder is walking and using buses, however they are not fully protected when the childminder uses a taxi as they do not all have appropriate restraints to use. Children can freely access resources and make their own choices of what they want

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to play with and the childminder carefully supervises and selects toys that are safe and appropriate for the very young children. Children have sufficient resources that are clean and suitable for their different ages. Children are protected because the childminder has appropriate knowledge of child protection issues and signs which would raise concerns. She is aware of the procedures, has attended training, and would act in each child's best interest.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and confident with the childminder and are able to enjoy a good range of activities and resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children are able to be independent and develop their confidence and self-esteem as they choose the toys they want to play with in a very relaxed atmosphere. The childminder appropriately supports them while they play. Children are building positive relationships as they get on very well with the childminder and other children. The baby attending for her second day is very settled and content as she is given lots of cuddles and individual attention by the childminder. The childminder is very calm and caring and provides a good role model for children’s behaviour. She spends all her time playing with the children, listening carefully to each child when they speak, valuing what they have to say. She has high

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

expectations of what children can achieve as they all sit and read to her individually when they get in from school, she gives them praise to boost their confidence, helping and supporting them if they need it. The childminder is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to improve her resources and activities for the younger children in her care to help them develop and make progress.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all able to take part in appropriate activities and they benefit from the

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 childminder being aware of their individual needs because she knows most of the children in her care very well as she has cared for them for a number of years. Children's differences are valued and the childminder makes sure they can all be included, resources are provided to reflect diversity and these help children’s understanding of others. Children with special needs are able to play alongside their peers as they access the same activities. Their needs are well met because the childminder works closely with parents and is aware of where she can seek advice and support. Children’s behaviour is good and they are learning to manage their own behaviour as they are given appropriate explanations and reminders. The childminder’s positive approach, and the way she gives children praise, enables them to learn about

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

acceptable behaviour. The childminder has good relationships with parents. She has a flexible settling in procedure and ensures she works in partnership with parents and is very supportive. This along with regular sharing of information with parents enables her to provide appropriate care and meet children’s needs.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents or carers to enable her to seek emergency medical treatment for their child. Each child now has a separate form signed by parents giving consent for emergency medical treatment and as a result the childminder is better able care for children in an emergency situation. She was asked to obtain written permission from parents to administer non-prescription medicines. Permission is now obtained in the NCMA medication book, prior to any medicine, including non-prescribed, being given to children, ensuring that they receive appropriate care when they are ill. She was also asked to develop her resources to raise children's awareness of disability issues. The childminder has purchased some additional resources to help raise children's awareness, such as a play bus with a person in a wheelchair and play people, some with disabilities.

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 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.6

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 children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating • ensure contents of first aid box are sufficient, as advised on first aid training • ensure children have appropriate use of seat belts, child seats or booster seats when travelling in a vehicle.

p.6

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