Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297629 Inspection date 26 July 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 2 children aged 7 and 10 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 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 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 the local toddler group with minded children. The family have a cat and

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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 a rabbit. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn to follow effective hygiene and personal care routines to promote their good health. For example, they wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Procedures for nappy changing make sure that children are comfortable, however do not always ensure that children are protected from the risk of cross infection. The childminder in general has effective procedures in place if the children have an accident or become unwell. Most records are in place to make sure that appropriate care is given, however she does not obtain written permission from parents to seek medical advise or treatment in an emergency. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they dig in the garden and ride on wheeled toys. Music and movement

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Helping children to be healthy

games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children’s physical skills. Whilst the childminder does not use the Birth to Three Matters framework, her good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives children confidence to try out new skills. The childminder has a generally sound understanding of nutrition and provides children with varied and nutritious meals. At snack times younger children enjoy fresh fruit, however older children are not always encouraged to make healthy choices. Young children have easy access to water and drinks of juice during the day. Older children are becoming aware of their bodily needs and confidently ask for drinks when they require them. The childminder takes account of parent’s wishes and children’s personal preferences to provide nutritious meals that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs, for example the children have recently chosen to grow

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Helping children to be healthy

vegetables in the garden which they will soon be having for their dinner at the childminder’s house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is safe and secure with appropriate furniture and equipment to help them be self-sufficient and independent in their care and learning. Toys and equipment are stored on low level shelves which allow children to access them safely. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in her home, for example by putting stair gates in place to prevent children from going upstairs or into the kitchen unescorted. This allows them to move around safely, freely and independently.

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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 gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. Children learn about road and fire safety through discussion and practical experiences, for example practicing what they would do if there was a fire in the home with the childminder. The childminder has a written emergency plan displayed on the parent's notice board, this ensures that parents and visitors know the procedure and could help children to keep safe in an emergency. The childminder’s secure understanding of child protection and her clear awareness of procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child is safeguarding children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and confident in the childminder’s home. The childminder has created a welcoming and stimulating environment for children through attractive displays and the layout of resources. The childminder stores toys and equipment in brightly coloured boxes on low level shelving. All boxes are clearly labelled with pictures of their contents, this allows children of all ages to access toys freely, taking responsibility for their own learning and developing their creativity. Children’s art work is displayed well, this values children’s creations and develops their self esteem. Children form strong bonds with each other and the childminder this increases their sense of well-being and confidence. Regular attendance at local toddler and library groups widens children’s experiences and enables them to socialise and meet other children. The high level of support children receive in activities allows them time to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

explore and develop their play, to practise and extend their learning. The childminder uses effective questioning to help children learn why things happen. The range of resources is good. The childminder thoughtfully considers the different needs and likes of the children to provide interesting and stimulating activities. Children enjoy activities such as growing vegetables to eat, sticking, cutting and sand play. In addition to these children regularly have the opportunity to be able to choose additional equipment at toy libraries. This ensures that they continue to show an interest in what is available to them. All children’s language skills are being developed to enable them to express their ideas and thoughts. The childminder’s response to young children’s ‘babbling’ encourages them to communicate and become confident. Older children’s language development is promoted through the use of books and displays. Currently children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are trying to find pictures to match the different letters of the alphabet.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and

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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 their understanding of others. For example, the children talk about celebrations across the world, such as Chinese New Year and during these celebrations they have the opportunity to taste foods from the countries. Children learn about their local community as they take part in village picnics and activities as well as routine outings to the library and local parks. Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder is skilled at adapting activities to ensure all children are able to participate fully. Children are well behaved. They know what is expected of them because they discuss and help to formulate the rules of the setting. These rules are then displayed clearly for the children to see in the playroom. The childminder talks to the younger children regularly to ensure they understand the behaviour boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good partnership with parents and carers contributes considerably to children’s well-being. The childminder actively seek parents’ and carers’ views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting. This includes information on their sleeping and feeding patterns, phobias and likes and dislikes. This promotes the children’s care, welfare and learning. Parents are kept very well informed about the provision and the care of their children through daily verbal discussions and diaries, information packs, monthly newsletters and an informative parents notice board. This all contributes to ensuring continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home 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 the continuity of children’s care so that they feel secure. The childminder has attended an introduction to childminding course and has gained certificates in first aid and basic food hygiene. The knowledge she has gained through these courses, helps her to ensure the children are well cared for. The childminder is keen to develop her practice further by using the Birth to Three Matters framework. The childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure that students on placement are always well supervised. This promotes children’s safety at the setting.

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Organisation

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

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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 consent from parents to seek medical advise or treatment in an emergency • consider ways of using the Birth to Three Matters Framework to dvelop the provision for younger children.

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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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