Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY239788 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2006 Inspection date Anne Schurek 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 three children aged eleven, five and three in Great Camborne, Cambridgeshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the main bedroom for children requiring undisturbed sleep. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor 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 three children under five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group and takes children to the local library and park.

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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 learn the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder encourages and supports their learning of good hygiene practices. They are aware of germs and the impact on their health. For example, the childminder explained to a child that putting her toe in her mouth would lead to germs in her tummy making her poorly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's effective policies and procedures. She has a sick child policy which she shares with parents and has the necessary parental consent to emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for outdoor exercise and fresh air, such as walking to school, trips to the local park and shops. Children learn to develop control of their bodies through music and dancing. Children's develop finer skills as they enjoy structured activities such as craft and construction. For example, a younger child trying to balance bricks on top of one another to make a tower.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, producing menu plans which contain a balanced variety of all food types. She provides children with healthy options in agreement with parent's requests. For example, she offers fish dishes, various meat dishes, fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are able to access drinks throughout the day which encourages healthy drinking practices.

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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 welcoming, secure, organised and clean environment. Children are effectively supervised at all times, which mean that they develop their independence skills in a secure environment. The childminder uses a daily visual risk assessment to minimise risks in her home ensuring children's safety. She has clear safety policies, for example, covering procedures to follow in the event of a fire, practising these with children so they become familiar with them. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they adhere to house rules and the childminder's instruction. For example, they know not to climb on furniture as they may hurt themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely choose from a wide range of toys and play equipment, which are in good condition and appropriate for their ages and developmental stages. The childminder has written inventories of all play resources, enabling her to ensure that children are always offered a balanced range of appropriate opportunities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safe guarded through the childminder's understanding and implementation of her written policies and procedures. She has undertaken child protection training to ensure that children's welfare is protected and that she is able to follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in the event of any concern or child protection issue.

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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 settled and confident within their environment, making themselves at home and relating well to each other and the childminder. Children make independent choices in their play as they choose from a wide range of resources which promotes their learning and play. The childminder is beginning to develop the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however this is not reflected in her planning of activities for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good relationship with the childminder who shows them that she enjoys their company, joining in their play and conversations and helping them feel welcome and valued. They enjoy cuddling and playing and the childminder responds enthusiastically to their smiles and vocal attempts at using words. For example, the childminder gave one child a cuddle and was aware of offering a cuddle to the other child who happily responded. The childminder knows the children well and is attentive to their individual needs and routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to self select resources from a wide range of age appropriate toys, which are regularly checked by the childminder to ensure they are safe and suitable. Storage allows children to select from low level storage boxes helping to develop their independence. Children go on regular outings with the childminder such as, visits to the local parks and childminding groups which help develop their social skills and awareness of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and have a sense of belonging. They feel included and very much at home as they move around the house choosing different play activities. The children's daily routines allow time for snack, rest, play and interaction with other children and the childminder. Children play well together and show care and concern for each other, for example, an older child helped the younger child to access her beaker of drink.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy a child centred environment that ensures that unwanted behaviour is minimal. They learn to behave well and understand what is expected of them through regular routine, consistent boundaries, praise and encouragement. They develop a sound understanding of cooperation and play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 their understanding of others. Children have access to a wide range of toys and resources, such as books that show children from different ethnic family groups. They enjoy regular walks in their local community visiting the library, park and shops. Children are secure and happy, they approach the childminder and confidently ask for support with activities, the childminder is responsive cheerful and enthusiastic with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and secure because the childminder has developed a positive relationship with parents. She welcomes parents into her home and has time to discuss their child's day, ensuring that they are directly involved in the children's care and development. Effective

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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 systems for sharing information , such as the use of a daily diaries and an informative portfolio ensures that parents remain well informed of their child's daily activities and the childminder's working ethos.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall children's needs are met. The children are relaxed and happy in a home from home environment which helps them feel safe and secure. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Play opportunities are extended outside of the home to enable children to have a positive understanding of the wider community and benefit from a healthy lifestyle.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the upkeep of clear records of accidents, medication and specific details such as written agreements with parents. The childminder has a comprehensive range of documents that are shared with parents to keep them fully informed about the provision. These are implemented successfully in the daily routine, reviewed and up-dated regularly to directly impact on the continuity of children's care.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe through the childminder's understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe. They benefit from the childminder's commitment to further training to keep her knowledge up to date, for example safeguarding children and first aid training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all accidents that occur on the premises are recorded and that all existing injuries are recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her recording system to ensure that all accidents and existing injuries are recorded. This has improved safety and care for children and ensured that any medical attention or concern regarding children is effectively implemented.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the April 2004 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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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

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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): • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework • update policy to reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures

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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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