Cambian Great Dunmow School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149357 Unique Reference Number 22 February 2007 Inspection date Jo Blackman 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 1990. She lives with her husband and 2 adult children in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and 2 upstairs bedrooms of the childminder's house are used for childminding and 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 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 all day at various times and 1 child over 5 before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over 8 after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler groups. The family has a cat, 2 guinea pigs and fish which are kept in a tank and in an outside pond.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has experience of supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and she is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder has achieved the 'Hertfordshire Quality Standard' award and is currently studying for an NVQ 3 certificate.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. Their health and development is very well promoted through their participation in a variety of stimulating physical activities. They are developing control of their bodies and a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for physical play. For example, children visit the local park, farms and toddler groups. They are able to enjoy playing in the garden which is part paved for children to use ride-on toys and part grassed for them to develop their imaginative play. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt these to a suitable level. The children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and experiences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are clearly understood and they are offered nutritious snacks and meals because the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Meals are cooked using fresh ingredients and include a variety such as fresh fruit, pasta and vegetables. Children are learning about healthy eating through the regular opportunities that they have to help prepare snacks whilst being fully supported by the childminder. Routines are in place to limit the spread of infection and ensure that children are cared for in a clean environment. All documentation with regard to medication and accidents is clearly recorded and kept confidential. However, the first aid box is not replenished as required and therefore, children's health is affected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children safety is a priority. The childminder ensures that they are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. She is aware of potential risks and takes appropriate steps to minimise these by completing a regular risk assessment. There is a clear evacuation procedure in place which the childminder practises with children and keeps a log of each practice, evaluating the outcome for further development if required. Children use safe, clean toys and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are appropriate for their ages and developmental stages. For example, children use a table and chairs which are at their height and suitable for meeting their needs when eating or participating in craft activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives them clear explanations, for example, they are aware of the importance of not talking to strangers and holding hands whilst crossing roads. The childminder has most of the required documentation and contact details in place, if child protection concerns arise. She has a written child protection policy which has been shared with parents and there is an incident book in place, for recording such concerns. However, the childminder does not have the required government summary booklet and therefore, concerns are not reported following the guidelines and children's welfare is affected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled, they spend their time purposefully. Children are at ease and very eager to participate in the excellent range of activities available because the childminder has a warm, caring and sensitive approach. Children are very well supported by the childminder,

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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 who enthusiastically displays her interest in their activities and works hard to ensure that children feel secure and loved. Children play well together, they enjoy one another's company and have started to form firm friendships. Children talk as they play together and are aware of taking turns and sharing, enabling them to engage in meaningful play. For example, during a play dough activity children talk about shapes and the feel of the play dough. They discuss food that they are 'making' such as sausages and peas, which leads on to talk about favourite meals the children have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make choices from the extensive, well organised and easily accessible resources available, promoting their independent learning. The childminder involves herself in children's play, listens carefully to them and provides thoughtful support and encouragement in order that children can achieve. She uses good questioning techniques to develop children's ability to recall events and build on their language and learning. For example, whilst looking at some photographs of activities that children have enjoyed the childminder asks "can you remember where we were when we saw those animals" the child says "at the farm". The childminder then develops the conversation further by talking about what else the children have enjoyed. As a child looks through the photographs excitement builds on their face, as other children are seen enjoying a picnic at a local museum.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder carefully plans a broad range of interesting activities which extend children's learning through her understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder is skilful in monitoring children's progress, enabling her to see when they are moving on to the next stage and therefore, planned activities are developed in line with each child's individual needs. Consequently, children make very good progress in all areas of their development. Children's learning is enhanced as the childminder has a good understanding of child development and enables children to explore and learn at their own pace. Activities are balanced to include active play and time to rest. Children enjoy books independently and with the childminder. They listen attentively when she is reading stories whilst they have a cuddle at quiet time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and beliefs and is able to meet these consistently. Children are always treated as individuals, they are encouraged to respect each other as well as work together. Children from all backgrounds are welcomed by the childminder and their individual needs are well supported as she has experience in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through talking with them and providing them with regular updates on their child's development and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. Their behaviour is good and they have a clear understanding of the ground rules which are discussed and agreed between the children and the childminder. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life through activities offered. They have access to a range of resources such as books, dressing up clothes and dolls, helping to promote their awareness of this area. They participate in activities that celebrate different festivals such as, Chinese New Year. Children make individual lanterns and learn about the Chinese New Year festival. Therefore, children's understanding of other cultures is developed. The childminder has a complaints

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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 procedure and log in place and she fully encourages communication between herself and parents, ensuring that they are kept fully informed of their child's progress. All parents have access to the childminder's informative parents portfolio where information can be found on all policies and procedures that are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. Resources are effectively organised and children are therefore able to determine their own play. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder ensures that she has all the necessary information about minded children and that she clearly understands this. Their emotional and physical development is promoted through the childminder's effective organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a range of activities and to ensure that they have regular outside play as well as meeting her commitments in terms of collecting children from school. The children's overall welfare is well promoted as the childminder ensures that she has relevant paperwork in place including her own written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents in the form of a parent portfolio. The childminder organises her work to ensure that children are supervised

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Organisation

at all times and her ratios are always adhered to. The childminder has achieved the Hertfordshire Quality Standards award and is currently studying for the NVQ 3 certificate. Her documentation is kept up-to-date and all policies and procedures are reviewed regularly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that low-level glass panels, glass bottles and other hazardous items were made safe or inaccessible to children. The childminder has removed all the hazardous items and therefore, children's safety is protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st 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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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 the first aid box is replenished as necessary

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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 the correct documentation is in place for recording child protection concerns (refers to the 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - summary').

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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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