Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 505289 Inspection date 20 March 2006 Inspector Lorraine Hunt

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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 good. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 6 and 9 in a residential area to the south of Peterborough. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 on a part-time basis and 3 children aged between 5 and 8, before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where good hygiene routines help them to learn about the importance of using a tissue when they have a cold and washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Toys and resources are cleaned on a regular basis and all children have their own bedding which minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and accident and medication record keeping systems are in place. However, the recording of any medicines given by parents prior to arrival would further safeguard children's health. Children are suitably nourished and enjoy a healthy diet, consisting of a range of nutritious meals and snacks prepared by the childminder. Children are encouraged to make choices about what they would like to eat for lunch which gives them a sense of independence. All children's requirements are recorded to ensure their dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

needs are met. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, which contributes to their good health. They visit the local park to develop their physical skills and benefit from exercise and fresh air each day as they walk to school. Babies and young children are able to eat, rest and sleep to suit their individual needs because the childminder has a flexible approach which takes account of children's changing needs, home routines and parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well supervised at all times, which means that they safely develop their independence in a secure environment. They learn to understand about keeping themselves safe through simple safety rules, indoors and when on outings, and through taking part in regular fire drills. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children, for example by using a stair gate to prevent children from accessing the stairs and covering all low level electrical sockets with covers. However, the fire blanket is not fitted in the kitchen which could compromise children's safety. Children select activities and resources, which are checked by the childminder regularly to ensure they are in good condition and safe for them to use. These are well organised in child height containers to encourage choice and independent access so that children can follow their own interests and develop their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's overall welfare is maintained by procedures and documents that promote their safety. For example, the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures, which are in line with those set out by the local Area Child Protection Committee.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and establish warm and affectionate relationships with her, which contributes to their sense of security and belonging. They receive good support during play activities, for example the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective open ended questioning and her enthusiastic interaction with them. Young children play confidently with a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and materials which are organised so that they are easily accessible so that they can explore them independently, make their own decisions and develop their own interests. Children of all ages experience a varied range of age-appropriate planned and spontaneous activities which contribute to their development. For example, young children enjoy making 'track' paintings as they move toy vehicles through paint on to paper and learn about shape and size as they experiment with ways to try and make

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their playdough pancake fit into a toy pan. Older children have good opportunities to enjoy imaginative play as they make 'dens,' pretend to be 'travel agents' and take part in creative art and craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's thorough knowledge of their individual needs enables her to provide them with appropriate care. Children learn to behave well and understand what is expected of them through the childminder's calm and positive approach, consistent expectations and regular routines such as always sitting at the table for meals. They develop self esteem and respect for one as they learn to share, take turns and to think about the effect their actions have on others. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs so that they become confident and independent. Children learn about the local community through local outings and regular attendance at toddler groups; this gives them the opportunity to socialise and relate to other adults and peers. The childminder develops positive relationships with parents, which

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Helping children make a positive contribution

contributes to children's care and well-being, ensuring their changing needs continue to be met. Parents are kept informed of their child's routines and progress on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s experience of working with children and her knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the child friendly environment of the childminder's home; their needs

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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 are suitably met through good adult-child ratios and by the level of care and attention provided by the childminder. This means that they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Documentation is well-organised and held securely, ensuring confidentiality for children and parents. Children benefit from information being shared on a daily basis between the childminder and parents, ensuring their individual needs are met. This contributes to the continuity of children's care so that they feel secure. Overall the needs of the range of children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop systems for recording incidents, complaints and parental consent for the administration of medicines. These are all now in place to safeguard children's welfare. The childminder also agreed to devise a fire evacuation procedure which is now regularly practised with children to ensure that they are familiar with what to do if an evacuation of the premises is needed. The childminder has moved house since the last inspection so actions relating to the garden are no longer applicable.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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

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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 good. 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): • obtain information from parents about any medicines they have given to children prior to their arrival • ensure that the fire blanket is fitted in the kitchen

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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 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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