Childminder in CambridgeshireOfsted inspection, 25 Apr 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129266 Inspection date 25 April 2006 Inspector Denise May Smith

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and child, aged fifteen, in a Fenland town. The whole 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 six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five and two children over five, before and after school, on a part time basis. She drives to the local school to take and collect children and attends a childminding group with the children. The family has a dog, chickens and tortoises.

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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 childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted as they are cared for in a clean and safe environment. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines, such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. This ensures the risk of spreading infection is minimised. Good written records are maintained to ensure children's individual medical and dietary needs are met. The childminder's secure knowledge of appropriate first aid treatment ensures children receive good care and attention. Children benefit from a routine which incorporates opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. They regularly play outside in the garden and enjoy using a range of play equipment, such as footballs and sit-on rides. They enjoy walking the dog to local places of interest, such as the Marina to see the boats. The children’s parents provide all of their main meals. The childminder supplies extra

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Helping children to be healthy

fruit if required and provides fruit and toast for the older children when they come home from school. Children have access to regular drinks according to their individual needs. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and parental wishes regarding extra snacks and drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised, child-friendly, safe and secure environment. The childminder effectively identifies and minimises potential hazards in her home making it a safe place for children to play. She has appropriate safety equipment in place, which enables children to freely explore and play independently. The childminder makes good use of available space, giving children opportunities to engage in indoor and outdoor activities. Resources and toys are easily accessible in the play room and garden so children are able to safely select their own activities. Toys and play equipment are well maintained and meet safety standards. Children are helped to understand the importance of tidying toys away to prevent accidents from occurring. The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

awareness of road safety issues is promoted during frequent walks around the local area. For example, children learn how to keep themselves safe by learning the green cross code. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket in the kitchen. Children have opportunities to develop their awareness of fire procedures within the home by practising the emergency evacuation drill. Their welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's

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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 secure knowledge of child protection procedures which has been developed through training. However she does not have the guidelines ‘What to do if you suspect a child is being abused'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. They enjoy participating in a broad and stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Children have good opportunities to develop their skills. They are able to initiate their own activities and freely select, from a good range of toys and play equipment. The day is well organised to enable children to participate in a range of activities which help to promote their learning in different areas. For example, the garden is regularly used to develop children's physical skills and to explore as they gather fresh eggs from the chickens. Craft activities and resources are freely available to promote children's creative skills and regular story times help to foster children's interest in books and reading. The childminder has a sound awareness of how to promote young children's learning through play and practical experiences. She does not have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the ‘Birth to three’ framework pack to refer to, which helps to support the care and learning of these younger children. Children respond well to the childminder and they have formed effective relationships. The childminder knows individual children well so is able to provide a suitable range of experiences to meet their needs. She interacts well with them during play activities and promotes their speech and language skills through questioning and lively conversation. Children benefit from having opportunities to learn through play and first hand experience. For example, they enjoy regular baking activities and go on train rides to places of interest giving children opportunities to explore the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Consequently, children feel confident and settled in the childminder's care. They are able to learn about the local community by going on regular walks and outings. In addition, they are developing their awareness of diverse faiths and cultures through some planned activities. Play resources reflect positive images of gender, race and disability. The childminder ensures that she gathers detailed information from parents to enable her to provide appropriate care and to fully meet children's individual needs. The childminder is aware of the information needed to ensure appropriate care is provided for children with special needs. The childminder has a good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of

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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 the child. She is calm and positive with the children, using lots of praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour and develop the children's self-esteem. Children benefit from having consistent boundaries which enable them to negotiate with others and begin to take responsibility for their actions. The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents. Information is regularly exchanged to ensure continuity of care and to ensure children are cared for according to parental wishes and their usual routines. Parents are provided with written information about the childminding service and are given copies of the photographic displays of the activities children are involved in.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good levels of support and supervision, which enables them to feel safe and secure in the setting. Consequently, children are confident to make their own choices, selecting toys and initiating play. Space is organised well to ensure children are able to move freely between different play areas, including the garden. Documentation is well-organised and held securely, ensuring confidentiality for children and parents. All required documentation is in place and is shared with parents. Children benefit from information being shared on a daily basis between the childminder and parents, ensuring their individual needs are met. The childminder has developed her awareness of childcare issues through attending a range of professional courses. The childminder uses this knowledge well to provide good quality care. Overall, the childminder meets the range of the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to enhance the quality of information for parents by providing more details about the service provided. Parents are now given written information relating to policies and procedures and are kept up to date with the activities offered in a variety of ways. These include the use of a digital camera. Posters containing these pictures are displayed in the playroom and then taken home by the children. This has improved the methods used to share information with parents.

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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

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Complaints 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 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, and refer to, the Department of Health document 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused' • obtain, and refer to, the 'Birth to three matters' framework pack, in order to support the care of the children under three years old.

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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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