Bryan, Michelle

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306430 Inspection date 06 March 2006 Inspector Mary Gilbert

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 14 and 13 in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminder group and takes children to the local library.

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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 The family has 2 gerbils and 2 goldfish as family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. She encourages children to take the responsibility of meeting their own health needs. Appropriate measures are taken when children are ill so that their health needs are met. Information obtained from parents at registration ensures the childminder is aware of any specific needs which must be met. Parents give written permission for the administration of medicines and to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. The facility is in place to record accidents or log medications. Children are learning to take responsibility for their personal hygiene. They learn the need to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet using their own flannels. All areas of the house used by children are cleaned regularly to minimise risks. Children enjoy some opportunities for physical development. They have opportunities

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Helping children to be healthy

for walking, either when being picked up from school or nursery or when going into town. They have access to the garden when the weather is good, although this is currently not safe to use and could compromise their safety. Children are well nourished because the childminder provides them with regular drinks and food which is nutritious and complies with their dietary needs. Children have their own cups which are easily accessible and refilled as required which ensures they remain hydrated. Children have healthy snacks and meals that promote healthy eating. Any special dietary requirements are discussed with parents and the childminder works with parents to ensure these needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and well cared for in premises that are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. The childminder ensures that the environment is well organised, welcoming and child centred. Children are provided with space to play freely, to be active, rest or relax. The premises are kept secure and children can not easily access areas which are unsafe. Children have access to a limited range of equipment that is suitable and safe. Resources are stored to promote children's easy access and encourages them to make choices. The childminder cleans and checks the toys and resources regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use. However, resources are limited in providing for children in all areas of their development, and there are few to promote children's understanding of a wider community. Risks to children are minimised around the house by the childminder who is

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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 pro-active in ensuring children remain safe whilst in her care. There are smoke alarms fitted on both floors which are tested and maintained in working order. The childminder has a well thought out emergency plan which she has shared with children. Children remain safe on outings. The childminder reminds children about the importance of holding hands when walking and they are secured in booster seats when using the car. However, she does not take adequate information about the children when out which could impact on their care in an emergency. Children are well protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice. She is aware of signs of abuse or neglect and knows who to report concerns to or to seek

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

advice from. Documents are in place to record any existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, independent and developing their self-esteem. The respond well to the childminder and use their initiative to make appropriate choices. Children have their individual needs met through the daily routine, for example, in taking and collecting from school and nursery. Children are taken to the library to choose books, or for visits to the beach. There is a range of creative resources available for children to choose. However, there limited activities for children to develop their own interests or to develop new skills due to the lack of resources available or planning taking place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing sound relationships with adults and other children in a setting where the childminder works with parents and carers to meet children's needs and fully include them in the routines of the setting. They are becoming aware of their own needs and learning to respect the needs of others. Children are able to make choices from the limited range of resources available. The childminder ensures that she knows the children well and that there is no bias in her practice in relation to gender, race or disability. Few resources are available to develop children's understanding of diversity. The childminder gathers adequate information at time of placement, for example, their preferences and their likes and dislikes through discussion with their parents. This information is used to help children settle and enable any special needs to be met. Children learn to understand responsible behaviour and respect the boundaries set

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Helping children make a positive contribution

by the childminder. She sets consistent guidelines, for example, children learn not to jump on the furniture. She uses discussion as a tool to develop children's

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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 understanding and discusses behaviour management strategies with parents to ensure there is consistency. Children benefit from the supportive relationship built with their parents. She works with them to develop individual settling in processes and daily exchanges of information develops consistency of care and ensures children's needs can be met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are adequately cared for by the childminder who has a reasonable understanding of the care standards which ensures children are protected. Both the childminder and her husband have been vetted and children are not left with any person who has not been cleared to do so. Appropriate child to adult ratios are maintained so that children form firm relationships with the childminder and become confident. The number of children being cared for is low which ensures children receive a high level of support. The daily register is always maintained and the times of arrival and departure of children clearly logged. Clear records are well kept to ensure children's needs are met effectively. Documents are stored confidentially, up to date and were available for inspection. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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.

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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

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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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 outdoor area is safe and suitable for children to use. • review and extend resources to meet needs of children in all areas of development and to promote positive images of other cultures and disabilities • develop procedures to ensure minded children are safe in case of emergencies on outings • plan and provide a range of activities to meet the needs of all children

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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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