Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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222778 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2006 Inspection date Lorraine Hunt 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 satisfactory. 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 1998. She lives with her 11 year old child in a village to the north of Cambridge. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. An upstairs bedroom is used for to sleep minded children. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five on a part-time basis and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family has a hamster.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home and good hygiene routines help them to learn about the importance of using a tissue when they have a cold and washing their hands before eating and after using the lavatory. Children's health is promoted because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has undertaken additional training on managing severe allergic reactions. She has appropriate written parental consents and maintains necessary accident and medication record keeping systems, although parents do not currently countersign the medication record to acknowledge they have been informed of this information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities to experience physical activity and develop their skills as they play in the garden. They also benefit from exercise and fresh air each day as they walk back from school. Babies and young children are content and well rested because the childminder offers flexible care which ensures that they are able to eat and sleep to suit their individual needs. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. They are encouraged to eat fresh fruit at snack time and have easy access to water and drinks of juice during the day. Children's health and dietary needs are met through ongoing discussion with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe home where risks are identified and minimised and this means children can move around safely and freely. For example, low level electrical sockets are covered and base kitchen cupboards containing hazardous materials are fitted with child locks. However, the absence of the first floor smoke detector potentially compromises children's safety. Children are well supervised at all times, which means they safely develop their independence in a secure environment. Sleeping babies are closely monitored. Children play with a range of suitable toys and resources, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to keep themselves, and others, safe because the childminder explains about the dangers, both indoors and on outings. For example, school age children follow simple safety rules on walks such as staying within sight of the childminder and stopping at agreed places. The childminder also reminds them of the need to take care when they are playing near a baby who is enjoying laying on the floor. However, children are not learning how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire because the childminder has yet to develop and practise an emergency escape plan with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Required documents and procedures are in place to safeguard children's welfare, for example the childminder has the appropriate written consent from parents for outings and transporting children in her car. Children are protected through the childminder's satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures, which are in line with those set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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 satisfactory. Children are settled and secure in the childminder's home. They develop warm and positive relationships with the childminder because she shows an interest in what they do and provides activities which they enjoy. For example, they go on regular walks to the post office, park and shops which provides them with opportunities to explore their local environment. Sometimes during school holidays they go on outings further afield to places such as the country park and the Raptor Foundation which broadens their experiences. Children benefit from the encouragement and support offered during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, children enjoy talking with the childminder about what they are doing; she praises their efforts and achievements, which helps to develop their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a varied range of activities, both inside and outside the home which contribute to their development. They have fun playing in the garden and taking part in art and craft activities such as making hamma bead pictures, Halloween lanterns, Christmas decorations and their own playdough. Older children enjoy having a time to relax at the end of the school day and the childminder respects their personal preferences, encouraging them to participate in activities when they feel ready. They particularly enjoy playing board games such as Junior Monopoly, Trapdoor and Downfall together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's awareness of their individual needs enables her to provide them with appropriate care, in close consultation with parents. The childminder is aware of the information she would need to obtain to ensure appropriate care could be provided for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder develops positive relationships with parents, which contributes to children's care and wellbeing, ensuring their changing needs continue to be met. Feedback from parents demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice. However, the childminder has a limited understanding of the new regulation regarding responding to and recording complaints which potentially affects the effectiveness of her partnership with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to behave well and play happily together with the support of the childminder, who helps them to share and take turns. Children understand what is expected of them through regular routines and consistent expectations, which helps them to feel secure. For example, they take off their outdoor shoes in the hallway when coming into the home and always sit at the table to eat. The childminder uses a consistent approach and positive methods to promote good behaviour so that children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children benefit from a good settling in procedure, which helps them to make the transition between home and the childminder.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the child friendly environment of the childminder's home; their needs are suitably met through good adult-child ratios and by the level of care and attention provided by the childminder. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about the care provided and their child's progress. This contributes to the continuity of children's care so that they feel secure. Required documentation is in place and mostly kept appropriately, which ensures children's safety and well-being. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to keep a written record, signed by parents, of all medicines given to children. The childminder has developed her own recording sheet which is completed when medication is given. However, although parents are verbally informed of the details, they do not countersign the records to ensure that the welfare of children is fully safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 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 satisfactory. 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 smoke detectors are fitted and maintained on every level of the premises and develop and practise an emergency escape plan • develop knowledge and understanding of the changes in regulations regarding complaints and keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken

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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 • ensure that records of medicines given to children are countersigned by parents.

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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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