Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298170 Inspection date 23 June 2005 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and their 2 children aged 9 and 12 years in a village on the outskirts of Cambridge. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and 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 7 children under 5 part time and 1 child over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends local toddler groups with minded children. The family have 2 guinea pigs

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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 and a hamster. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s good understanding of health and hygiene routines. Her good standards of hygiene and awareness of health issues ensure that, the spread of infection is minimised and children’s health is promoted. However, written parental consent forms for the childminder to seek emergency medical advise or treatment for minded children has not been completed fully. Well organised resources allow children to independently go to the bathroom to wash their hands before meals; this allows children to take some responsibility for their own hygiene. Children learn about how to keep themselves healthy. For example, they know that on sunny days ‘you wear your hat to keep the sun off, so you don’t get too hot’. Children benefit from the childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. She takes account of parent’s wishes and children’s personal preferences to

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Helping children to be healthy

provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. Children are encouraged to eat fresh fruit daily at snack time and they have easy access to water and drinks of juice during the day. Children enjoy and benefit from regular physical exercise. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they dig in the sand, build with large bricks and ride on wheeled toys. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children’s physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in her home. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. She consistently explains safe practices, such as why children should pick up items dropped on the floor, so that other children do not fall and hurt themselves. This helps children take responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe. Children’s safety on outings is a priority; the childminder always carries a small first aid kit with her and all of the children’s emergency contact details. The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 are happy and confident in the childminder’s home. The childminder uses indoor and outdoor space creatively to provide a wide range of well organised and attractively displayed activities such as, painting, sand play, play dough and construction play all of which stimulate and interest the children. Children are well supported by the childminder who successfully encourages them to extend their experiences and listens and talk’s to them. The childminder is skilled in allowing children sufficient freedom to explore the environment and determine their activities, thus promoting their independence and developing their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well in response to the calm, consistent and positive methods that the childminder uses to manage behaviour. Children of all ages understand the rules, share, take turns and learn to respect the needs of others. Children play together harmoniously. The childminder talks to the younger children regularly to help them understand the rules. House rules are displayed clearly at children’s level; this allows the older children to take responsibility for their actions. The childminder’s use of appropriate praise and encouragement is helping to build children’s self confidence. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs, so that they can become confident and independent. They play with books, small world figures and role play equipment that represent all members of society, helping them to learn about diversity and the world they live in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents; their progress is discussed daily with their parents so that their changing needs continue to be met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel comfortable and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care, so that they feel secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 Not applicable as this is the childminder's first inspection.

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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): • Ensure that consent forms to seek medical advise or treatment for children in an emergency are signed by parents.

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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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