Laura Molloy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302643 Inspection date 11 August 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 2005. She minds at the home of another registered childminder 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 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 7 children under 5 part time. The childminder attends the local groups with minded children. The family has a pet rabbit.

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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 The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 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 balance on low level stilts and ride on wheeled toys. Regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children’s gross motor skills. Children's dietary needs are well met through discussions with parents and the provision of varied, nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children, such as oranges, raisins, pizza and pasta dishes. Children are regularly given opportunities to make a choice which encourages them to try different foods and develop their independence, for example, when they visit the local shops, children choose what they would like to have for snacks or lunch. Children’s health is promoted by the childminder’s understanding and implementation of good health and hygiene procedures. Her high standards of hygiene and

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness of health issues ensure that the spread of infection is minimised. Toys and resources are cleaned on a regular basis and all children have their own bedding. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy. They are becoming increasingly aware of the way the sun affects their bodies and understand why they need to wear hats and suncream, and know when they need a rest in the shade.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the spacious home, for example, safety locks are fitted on low-level cupboards and socket covers are in place. This allows children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children use a wide range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate furniture, equipment and resources that are organised to enable them to be accessed safely. This ensures that children are comfortable, safe and that their independence is promoted. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. Children learn the rules for road safety as part of their daily routine, for instance, while walking to local play areas. Children’s safety in case of fire is a priority. The childminder practises fire drills with the children regularly and a fire blanket, fire extinguisher and smoke alarms

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

provide good fire control and detection. Children are well protected because the childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to promote their safety and welfare. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection

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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 procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. Children of all ages make positive relationships and play well together, often seeking each other out to play imaginative games, such as role play with dolls. The childminder helps the children to understand the need to share and play cooperatively through clear explanations. Children are well supported by the childminder who successfully encourages them to extend their experiences and pursue their own interests, for example, children enjoy exploring the garden to look for ladybirds. The childminder uses these spontaneous learning opportunities to develop children’s knowledge and extend their learning. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is cheerful and enthusiastic about her job. She interacts well with the children and shows them that she is genuinely interested in what they do and say, for example, by joining in their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

games such as catch and ball rolling. This is building children’s confidence and self-esteem and helps them to feel valued. The childminder plans and provides a wide range of stimulating activities and play opportunities that promote children's development and ensures that they have fun while they are learning. Activities include, leaf printing, puppet making, junk modelling and growing seeds. The children are currently growing melons and have all taken their plants home.

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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 their understanding of others. For example, children play with multicultural puppets and musical instruments as well as dressing up in different cultural outfits. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as the local country park and river bank as well as routine outings to local parks and libraries. A good partnership with parents contributes considerably to children’s well-being. The childminder actively seeks parent’s and carer’s views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts at the setting. This includes information on likes, dislikes and home routines to promote children’s care, welfare and learning. Parents are kept very well informed about the provision and the care of their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A detailed portfolio containing policies is kept for the parents to access, whilst daily discussions and regular newsletters keep them up to date on their child’s day and their achievements. This all contributes to ensuring the continuity of care for the children. Written feedback from parents demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice, the care she provides and the support she offers to the

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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 children and their families. Children enjoy warm relationships within the childminder's home. They behave well and are valued and respected as individuals. Good use of praise and encouragement promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are developing an understanding of the needs of others; for example, they are encouraged to share and take turns with popular equipment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are met by good adult-child ratios and a well organised environment, which has space for creative and physical activities. The play space is prepared before children arrive each day, with easily accessible resources. This helps them leave their parents easily and encourages them to explore the activities provided. Since becoming registered, the childminder has attended an Introduction to Childminding course and has gained a certificate in first aid. In addition to this she has attended a course on positive behaviour management strategies and holds a NVQ level 2 qualification in childcare. The childminder’s training and openness to new learning will continue to improve her practice for the benefit of the minded children. The childminder has recently received a copy of the Birth to three matters framework and is actively using it to develop her practice for children under three.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping, however, as a result of recent changes to documentation, the childminder does not have consent to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency for all children. Overall the provision meets the needs of all of the children that the childminder cares for.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written consent to seek medical advice for treatment for all 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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