Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296507 Inspection date 01 August 2005 Inspector Lorraine Hunt

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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 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 December 2004. She lives with her husband and 5 children aged between 3 and 16 in a large village to the north of Cambridge. The ground floor lounge-diner and kitchen are used for childminding. Children only use upstairs to visit the bathroom or for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 on a fulltime basis. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. The childminder

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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 attends local toddler groups. The family has a cat. The childminder is on the committee of the local pre-school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, which contributes to their good health. They visit the local park to develop their physical skills and benefit from exercise and fresh air each day as they walk to school and pre-school. 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 learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care within the daily routines such as washing their hands before eating and after using the lavatory. However, pet dishes on the kitchen floor present a potential hazard to young children. Written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not yet in place and parents do not countersign entries in the record of administered medicines, which could compromise children's health and safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary needs are met through discussion with parents. Children are able to access regular drinks throughout the day which encourages healthy drinking practices. Their individual dietary needs are recorded and this ensures that their nutritional needs are recognised and met appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play with a range of good quality, developmentally appropriate toys and resources which the childminder cleans and checks regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. These are rotated to offer variety, but children can ask for a particular favourite if it is not already available so that individual interests and preferences can be catered for. Children's general welfare is maintained by the required documents and procedures that promote their safety such as written consent from parents for local outings. Children are also protected through the childminder's satisfactory understanding of child protection which she has acquired as part of the recently completed Introduction to Childminding Practice course. Children learn to understand about keeping themselves safe through simple safety rules indoors and when on outings. The childminder identifies and minimizes most

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

risks for children, for example by covering all low level electrical sockets, but some hazards in the garden have not been addressed to ensure that children can enjoy safe outdoor play.

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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 enjoy warm and positive relationships with the childminder, who offers them good support during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, young children's early physical skills are fostered as the childminder gently encourages them to practise walking, whilst holding their hands and praising their efforts and achievements. Children enjoy a varied range of activities, both inside and outside the home which contribute to their development. Babies play confidently with a good range of developmentally appropriate toys and materials which interest them and are organised so that they can explore them independently. However, there are limited opportunities for young children to enjoy messy play and exploratory activities. Children benefit from socialising with other children at local toddler groups and from

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

regular outings to the park, to feed the horses in the next village and local walks which stimulate their interest in the wider world.

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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. Daily sharing of information with parents ensures that they are kept informed about their child's routines and progress but significant incidents, although discussed, are not recorded. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs, so that they become confident and independent. Children learn to share, take turns and consider the needs of others as they play games together. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder's use of positive behaviour management strategies.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's satisfactory organisation of time, space and resources. Children's needs are suitably met by good adult to child ratios; children receive individual care and attention offered by the childminder and this helps them to feel secure. Most documentation and record keeping is in place to support the care provided. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children in the childminder's care. Parents are made aware of the childminder's policies and practice through a clearly written information folder so that they know what to expect and can be sure that their children receive appropriate care. Children benefit from the gradual settling-in

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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 procedure which helps them to make the transition between home and the childminder.

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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): • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure that parents countersign records of administered medicines • make sure that pet dishes are inaccessible to minded children • make sure that potential hazards in the garden are made safe or inaccessible to minded children • make sure that significant incidents are recorded and parents countersign entries.

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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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