Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY101614 Unique Reference Number 07 July 2006 Inspection date Heidi Falconer Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five in a village close to Cambridge. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five part-time, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups with minded children. The family has some pet fish in a tank indoors and in a secure pond in the garden.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. The childminder has a good understanding of how she can promote children's health and her hygiene practices with children ensure they are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder uses individual wipes to clean children’s faces after meals and the hand towels in her bathroom are changed on a daily basis. Children are encouraged to maintain good personal hygiene, for example, washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, and they are told of the reasons why this is important. To further develop their understanding the childminder has a book which she shares with the children to explain what happens to food in their bodies and what happens if they don’t wash their hands. The childminder has good systems and procedures in place to care for children if they become unwell or have an accident whilst they are in her

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Helping children to be healthy

care. For example, she holds a first aid qualification and she keeps clear written details of all accidents, which are shared with parents appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthily and enjoy a range of home made, freshly prepared snacks and meals which are nutritious. The childminder has recently updated her menus to ensure that meals are balanced and promote healthy eating. Children enjoy a range of hot meals such as cottage pie and sausage casserole for their tea. At snack time the children have foods such as bread sticks and kiwi fruit which they enjoy. All children have easy access to drinks of juice during the day so that they are well hydrated. These are kept on a table in the lunch allowing the children to access them as they require. The childminder consults parents about their children's specific dietary requirements to ensure that these can be catered for. This ensures that all children remain healthy and can eat safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a suitable range of activities that contribute to their good health. Each day children go for walks in the local village with the childminder to ensure that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder also makes good use of her garden and local parks to develop and encourage children’s physical development. Children enjoy using the childminder’s wide range of outdoor resources such as her swing, slide, bikes and push along toys. In addition they enjoy physical games such musical status, musical bumps and playing catch with balloons indoors.

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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 safe and well maintained environment. They are able to move around comfortably and freely as space is organised with their needs in mind creating plenty of space for them to play. For example, the dining area is used for mealtimes and table top activities whilst the large lounge is used for floor activities such as constructing train tracks. The childminder’s organisation of toys and resources in her study allows children to access some activities independently. Each day the childminder provides a wide range good quality toys and equipment which are appropriate to the ages of the children attending. These are rotated on a daily basis to offer children variety.

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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 The childminder is aware of potential hazards, and takes good practical safety precautions to keep children safe. For example, in her conservatory she has made the glass safe by covering it with safety film. In addition in her garden the childminder has fenced off the pond to ensure that children can not access it without supervision. The childminder talks to the children about ways that they can keep themselves safe. For example, on outings they discuss road safety and the childminder encourages older children to tell her when they think it is safe to cross the road. To further develop their understanding of personal safety the childminder talks to the children about the dangers of traffic, how they can use equipment safely at the park, her fire plan and the danger of talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well protected because the childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection. As a result, she is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if she has concerns about a child. The childminder has a written policy on child protection which she shares with parents so that they are aware of her duty to report concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and are confident in the childminder's home. The childminder takes a genuine interest in the children in her care and is very caring towards them. For example, as young children become tired she supports their physical and emotional needs by providing them with cuddles and their comforters from home. This helps the children to develop a sense of belonging. Children enter confidently and make themselves at home, quickly becoming involved in play activities. Children are able to access some resources independently and ask confidently for toys which are out of reach such as the dolls and the push along buggies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how to support and extend children's learning. For example, on the day of the inspection visit, a young child was looking out of the childminder’s low-level window. The childminder responded to this interest by talking to the child about the birds and the cats that they had seen the day before. As the childminder talked to the child she used open-ended questions such as, ‘What can you see? What can you hear?’ This type of questioning encourages conversation and develops children’s confidence in using language to convey messages. The childminder has started to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support the activities she provides with young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children spend their time purposefully either indoors or outside. The childminder provides a wide range of play opportunities to promote children’s development and ensure that they enjoy their time in her care. In addition to using the childminder’s resources the younger children in her care enjoy activities such as drawing, swimming, going on outings and making bread or cakes. Children of this age also have opportunities to socialise and take part in further creative activities such as painting when they attend local toddler groups with the childminder. Older children enjoy their time after school developing their own Starwars games and dressing up as characters such as Spiderman.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are understood and respected by the childminder. This ensures they are fully included in the life of the setting. The childminder provides children with a meaningful range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the world and increase their understanding of diversity. For example, children learn about their local community through regular outings. Recent trips have included attending a Roman day at Ely Cathedral, a visit to Duxford Airfield and a visit to the Granchester Tea Rooms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour and learn about boundaries because the childminder is able to manage a wide range of children’s behaviour well. For example, with young children she uses distraction techniques when they attempt to play with the buttons on the stereo. As a result the situation is resolved calmly because the child’s attention has been drawn into more purposeful play. The childminder’s consistent approach to behaviour management means that children understand what is expected of them such as, that they sit at the table for meals and share resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed secure partnerships with parents and carers, which contributes positively to the children's care, well-being and feelings of security. She makes time to speak to parents and discuss their child’s day and she provides them with ample information about her practise verbally and through written information such as her policies. These effective forms of communication ensure that children experience consistent care and that their individual needs are met. The childminder is familiar with the new regulation of developing a complaints log which can be shared with parents, however, this is not yet in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met through good organisation. Children are happy and enjoy the time they spend in the childminder’s care. The childminder maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping. Documentation relating to childminding activities is professional and well maintained. Records are stored in a suitable storage unit which ensure that they are kept confidential whilst being easily accessible to the childminder.

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Organisation

Children receive good quality care because the childminder is knowledgeable about child development and how children learn. The childminder holds a level three qualification in childminding and is showing a commitment to developing her practice by regularly attending training courses and by completing the endorsed quality assurance scheme ‘Quality First’. The knowledge which the childminder gains through these courses helps her to continually evaluate and improve the care that she provides. As a result, children’s well-being is well supported. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve health procedures by obtaining written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment for their children. The childminder has ensured that she now has this consent in place for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to improve children’s safety by practising her fire escape procedure. The childminder now practises her fire evacuation plan with the children and talks to them about what they should do if the fire alarm sounds, to help them understand how they can protect themselves from harm.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To improve her with partnership with parents the childminder agreed to review her written records to ensure that she had written consent from parents to transport children in her vehicle. The childminder has now ensured this is in place for all children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 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): • continue to improve outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters' framework • develop a system to record complaints, which can be shared with parents on request.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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