Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY259301 Inspection date 16 February 2006 Inspector Marianne Gascoyne

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eleven and five years in a village close to the town of Swaffham. Her adult stepson also lives with the family for part of the week. The whole of the house is used for childminding. 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 four children under five on a part-time basis and two over five years of age. She also cares for children over the age of eight years.

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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's health is being promoted effectively by the positive steps taken to ensure good hygiene practices which are in place. Children learn the importance of keeping themselves healthy through explanation and example. Individual changing mats are used and children have their own towels for hand drying in order to prevent the risk of cross infection. Their well-being would be safeguarded in an emergency, as consent for any necessary medical treatment is obtained from parents and a clear record is maintained of any accidents or medication administered. Discussion takes place with parents, when registering their child, regarding attendance when sick which minimises risks to children and promotes their good health. Children are adequately nourished by a freshly prepared midday meal and are offered fresh fruit. They are not fully encouraged to eat fruit or other healthy snacks

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Helping children to be healthy

at all times to promote a healthy diet. The childminder has an awareness of food hygiene following attendance on a course which enables her to handle food safety. Older children learn about healthy and non-healthy foods when undertaking a project and produce a poster which is displayed as a reminder. Older children have access to fresh drinking water at all times to ensure they do not become dehydrated. Children have varied opportunities to experience physical activity as they are taken to the park, play in the garden or visit an indoor play area. They have regular access to fresh air and exercise to keep them healthy. Younger children are able to explore their environment and become aware of their health needs as they choose when they need to sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and secure in the welcoming, well maintained premises with toys and equipment easily accessible to them. The ground floor of the premises is used effectively to meet the needs of the varied age group of children attending. The older children undertake craft activities at the kitchen table and younger children play with toys in the playroom or move freely in the open space in the living room. Children are able to play, eat and sleep in comfort with age appropriate furniture available to them. A good variety of developmentally appropriate toys and equipment is stored effectively to enable children to have choices and make decisions about the activities they wish to undertake. Children develop an awareness of safety in an emergency as they practise the fire evacuation procedure and are given explanations when following the 'Green Cross Code' which help them learn about road safety. The childminder takes positive steps

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to promote safety within the home and garden. She ensures precautions are taken to prevent accidents, for example, strict rules are in place regarding the use of the trampoline and consent is obtained from parents for its use.

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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 Parents are made aware of the childminder's responsibility to protect children and are advised of the procedure she would follow if she had any concerns. Children are adequately protected because the childminder knows how to make a referral. She is not, however, fully aware of the procedure to follow as detailed in 'What To Do If You Are Concerned A Child Is Being Abused'. The younger children are beginning to understand that there are rules and boundaries to help them keep themselves safe as they explore the environment and the childminder explains, for example, why they must not climb on equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans an interesting range of activities with the children. These activities particularly maintain the interest of the older children attending and are enjoyed by all. Children are confident and their self-esteem is enhanced as the work they have undertaken is displayed in the playroom and they maintain a record in their scrapbooks. Photos help them recall and reflect on the activities they have undertaken. Children are encouraged to use their initiative, for example, a puppet booth encourages older children to write their own show which they perform for the younger children. They are provided with challenges such as undertaking cooking activities, growing sunflowers, holding a competition to find which is the tallest and recording their findings on a chart. Children are provided with a variety of experiences to develop their knowledge and skills. The childminder meets with another childminder and her minded children, to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop the children's social skills. She takes them out to a variety of venues, particularly during the school holidays, to widen their experience. Positive relationships are in place and children are secure in the childminder's care. They choose the activities they wish to undertake and enjoy their time because appropriate activities are provided. The childminder listens to the children and encourages their play. Younger children are effectively encouraged to become vocal, for example through imitation, and enjoy communicating the words they know as they look at books with the childminder. The childminder has only just received the 'Birth to three matters' pack and children under three would further benefit from the development of activities for these younger children using this framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's care and good relationships are in place. The childminder works closely with the parents to ensure she has the information necessary to meet the individual needs of the children. Children demonstrate a good sense of belonging by the ease with which they relate to the childminder and this feeling is reinforced by displays of their work in the playroom.

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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 Children are given explanations to help their understanding of differences in people and some good, though limited, resources are available to help develop positive attitudes. Practical experiences with a wheelchair and crutches helped children develop an understanding of living with a disability. The childminder has a proactive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs. She would undertake training if necessary to enable her to care for a child with special needs in addition to spending time with the parents and child to develop her understanding. A small number of positively worded house rules are in place which are shared with parents and children have a clear understanding of the way to behave. The childminder provides a good role model and younger children are learning through

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Helping children make a positive contribution

explanation and gentle reminders of the rules. Children are well behaved. Parents express their appreciation of the care the childminder offers their children and particularly appreciate the activities she provides. Informal communication takes place regularly and the scrap books provide parents with information about the activities the children have undertaken.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space in the home is used effectively to provide for the varying needs of the wide age range of children attending and organisation of resources enables children to make decisions about the activities they wish to undertake. The childminder plans for the children attending and has a high regard for their well-being. She is taking steps to ensure all people having access to the children are suitable and a support system is in place to make sure children would receive appropriate care in an emergency. The childminder ensures the documentation necessary for children's health and well-being is in place and clear records help to make sure children's individual needs are known and are able to be met. Parents advise the names of people with consent to collect their children and emergency details are provided in order to protect them. Brief policies are in place. They do not all provide accurate information for parents. A

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Organisation

complaints log has not yet been set up in line with recent legislation. Records are stored confidentiality and are easily accessible to safeguard children's welfare. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of imaginative activities and opportunities, to encourage exploration for children. Children are now able to develop their imagination as, for example, they dress up, play with the puppet theatre, play kitchen, filling station or dolls house. Older children use hand puppets, made previously, to put on a puppet show for the younger children. The childminder was also asked to provide a range of toys and play equipment, which provide sufficient challenge and is stored within easy reach for all children. All

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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 the toys are now easily accessible to children, are suitable and provide sufficient challenge. Thirdly she was asked to set up a behaviour management policy, which deals with behaviour in a sensitive and age appropriate manner. A behaviour management policy has been written which is shared with parents. It lists the house rules in positive wording but does not show how positive language, praise and encouragement will be used to encourage acceptable behaviour. It has regard to the different stages of development and age of children. The policy would benefit from further development.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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.

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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): • ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times and that snacks provided help children learn about healthy living • develop your knowledge and understanding of child protection and ensure you are aware of the procedures to follow in 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused' • develop your practice with children under three using the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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:

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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 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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