Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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317155 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Valerie Block 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 1999. She has a recognised early years qualification. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 in Stainburn, Workington, Cumbria. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding apart from the main bedroom and the garage. 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 four children at any one time. She cares for four children, two of whom are under two years of age and the others are under five years of age. The children minded attend at various times through the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder occasionally attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day, weather permitting, there are outdoor walks or time playing in the garden. Children enjoy playing outside participating in sports day events, such as sack races.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children are provided with a healthy diet and accessible drinks. They are therefore well nourished. Children's health needs are well met by the childminder, who ensures that she has all necessary information about their health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they begin to learn the importance of hygienic practices and personal care. They are reminded of the need to wash their hands after using the toilet to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder explains to children the reason for doing so and therefore children begin to take responsibility for their own good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The emotional well-being of children is promoted as the childminder is very affectionate towards them and children are happy to be reassured by her when necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well promoted as the childminder ensures that her home is very safe and that her procedures for taking children outside are safe also. The children learn about keeping themselves safe when outside as the childminder teaches them about the highway code and the danger posed by strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Activities are independently selected by children from a good range of clean, appropriate toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met and they receive a good amount of stimulation and play opportunities suitable for their age. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They make themselves at home and show affection for the childminder. Children become independent and enjoy new experiences and learning as they choose from a variety of toys, books and activities. The childminder has received information about the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has yet to fully study this and put it into practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Young children show an interest in rhythm as they bang lids against boxes. The childminder understands this is the beginning of music making and decides to follow this up with a musical activity. Young children squeal with delight as they play together, singing and making actions to a favourite rhyme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become competent learners as they explore various activities and play equipment. The children thread bobbins onto a string carefully and the childminder praises their efforts. They ask the childminder to make the thread of bobbins into a necklace and wear it. The childminder does so and the children are very pleased to see their creations being worn. The children therefore feel valued and their self-esteem grows.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her day around children's normal patterns and therefore meets their needs. Children form warm relationships with the childminder which contribute to their sense of belonging and self worth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful, good range of resources including books, dolls and small figures to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are introduced to their local environment through visits and walks in their community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very aware of the children's development and discusses their individual needs carefully with parents to ensure that their children are happy and well cared for. Children are known and valued as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well. The childminder gently explains to children that tidying up is important before another game begins and the children respond well to her request. Children show kindness to other children at the setting, sharing toys, and are warmly praised for this. Children therefore begin to learn about right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder having a positive relationship with parents. There are many policies and procedures in writing for parents' information. Letters from parents to the childminder show a high level of satisfaction with the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and are at ease with their environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has organised the available space well to ensure that children are within her sight or hearing to ensure their safety and well-being.

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Organisation

Children receive a good amount of attention from the childminder. Children's safety is met by the childminder being mindful of the need to ensure children are supervised appropriately and that they are in the company of suitable persons.

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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 Records are kept well and policies are available to parents about the childminding service. Children's needs are therefore well met and parents are reassured about their children's care.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed at the last inspection to display the certificate. She has done so, thus meeting children's needs and informing parents of the conditions of her registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She also agreed to take steps to understand the child protection procedures. She has done so and now has a satisfactory understanding of the necessary procedures to follow. Children are therefore protected.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has introduced various communication methods to advise parents of their children's daily activities and development. This means that parents are reassured and informed of their children's care and so children's needs are met.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 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 knowledge and understanding of the needs of children under three is developed, for example, through the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework.

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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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