Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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222207 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 Inspection date Veronica Sharpe 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 outstanding. 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 lives with her husband and four adult children in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. At present the childminder is caring for 19 children, all on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children use the ground floor of the home. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. Local facilities include play areas, toddler groups, pre-school, library and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of an accredited childminding network.

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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 outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's very good understanding of childhood nutrition. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks, freshly prepared by the childminder. Children sit together at the table and make excellent choices from a wide variety of foods, happily trying out new tastes, such as blackberries or blueberries. Children clearly express their likes and dislikes and some of the older ones have made a chart of their favourite foods, which is displayed in the play room. Children's independence is developed very well at meal times because children take an active part in the food preparation, for example, they spread butter on their toast, or help themselves to ham and cheese for sandwiches. A water cooler is easily accessible so children help themselves to drinking water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. She maintains high standards of cleanliness to ensure that the risk of cross-infection is minimised at all times. Children learn about the importance of staying healthy through the childminder's clear support and guidance, for example she develops good practice in young children by using wipes on their hands before meals. Older children wash their hands independently and know they must use soap and wash thoroughly so their hands are clean before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

If the children become unwell or an accident occurs whilst they are in the care of the childminder, excellent records and procedures are in place to make sure that they are well cared for. For example, the childminder always takes details of minded children and essential information with her on outings. This means she can contact the emergency services and parents or carers to ensure appropriate care is given to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills according to their stage of development through highly effective everyday routines. Children take part in daily exercise, such as running and climbing in the park or playing swing-ball in the garden, so that they develop their confidence and learn to enjoy a healthy active lifestyle. The childminder develops good routines so that all children can sleep or rest when they need to, and this ensures that they are happy and content. Children develop manipulative dexterity when using construction toys, for example, they join magnetic pieces together to create animal shapes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's overall welfare is effectively maintained by the use of rigorous procedures and clear documentation that consistently promote their safety. For example, the childminder has a written risk assessment which is implemented each day before children arrive to ensure that all areas and equipment are safe for them to use. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues, which are in line with those set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She attends regular training to enhance her practice and ensure her knowledge is sound, which means that children are protected and kept safe from harm.

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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 Potential risks to children are identified and minimised, which means children move around freely in the home, under the childminder’s constant supervision. Children's safety in case of fire is given high priority, for example, the childminder thoroughly checks smoke alarms on a regular basis to ensure they are in good working order. Children practise the emergency escape plan so that they all know what to do and are familiar with the routine. To enhance their understanding they pay a visit to the fire station and learn about the fire equipment that helps keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a welcoming and homely environment. Their artwork is consistently valued and attractively displayed for others to see and enjoy. An excellent range of photographs are easily available for both children and parents to see, which enhances children's self-esteem and promotes their confidence. Children confidently select activities and resources, which have been carefully chosen to effectively support their play. All resources and equipment are rigorously checked by the childminder to ensure they are completely safe and suitable for children to use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and form warm and affectionate relationships with her, which significantly contributes to their sense of belonging. They receive lots of praise and encouragement and show their trust and affection as they share jokes with the childminder or confidently ask for her company as they play. Children benefit significantly from the childminder’s exceptional knowledge and understanding of child development. She clearly understands how children learn and offers them a very good range of meaningful and practical experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the superb range of interesting activities and resources, which ensures they make very good progress in their learning and development. For example, they examine mini-beasts on a visit to the zoo and record their experiences in photographs and drawings. The childminder acknowledges children's achievements by displaying their work and photographs of them at play, promoting their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have free access to a superb selection of stimulating drawing and colouring materials so they can make marks and learn to communicate their ideas through pictures and early writing. They explore the world around them in practical activities, for example, they make lemonade, collect leaves for collage, or visit a shop to choose pumpkins at Halloween.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children have their activities planned using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Activities and topics are chosen that all the children can participate in, such as handling natural objects, like leaves, sand and water. Routines ensure children have time to rest or sleep, which means they are rested and content.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from highly effective relationships between the childminder and their parents and carers, which significantly contributes to their care and well-being. Excellent written and verbal information is shared with parents and carers, such as the daily journals for younger children so that parents know about their children's time in the setting. Written testimonials from parents demonstrate their high regard for the childminder and is evidence of the high quality care she offers their children. Children benefit from excellent settling in procedures, which enable a new parent to visit the setting freely to get to know the childminder and the other children who attend. This helps children to make the transition between home and the setting with confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is excellent and they clearly understand what is expected of them. They learn through purposeful routines, for example, they sit together at the meal table and consistently say 'please' and thank you'. Children show extremely high levels of self-esteem and have formed excellent relationships with the childminder and each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s individual needs are clearly understood by the childminder, who gathers excellent information from parents to ensure these needs are very well met. Children access an interesting range of activities and resources that present positive images of all members of society. They celebrate and learn about a wide range of cultural and religious festivals, which help them understand about other lifestyles. Although there are no children currently on roll that have learning difficulties or disabilities, the childminder is very open to caring for children with specific needs. She has expressed her willingness to learn from parents and other carers so children would have their individual needs met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s care is significantly enhanced by the exemplary organisation, which enables them to develop their growing skills in a relaxed and caring environment. Children’s well-being is actively promoted by the childminder’s excellent knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. In addition the childminder has a very good understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the early learning goals, which she uses purposefully to plan an outstanding range of activities that help children to learn through their play.

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Organisation

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child development and is very well qualified. Comprehensive policies and procedures back up the highly effective practice and ensure parents and carers have an excellent understanding of the provision. Children are safe and extremely well cared for because the childminder pays good attention to detail, for example, registers are carefully kept so they are accurate and up-to-date. In addition, the childminder is fully committed to ongoing professional development, which enable her to continue to provide a highly successful range of activities for the children she cares for.

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Organisation

Children benefit from secure and established routines, which means they are happy and content. Up to date, well organised records contribute effectively to the health, safety and well-being

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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 of the children. All essential documents are stored confidentially and are easy to access in an emergency. Records, including those which show children's progress in the foundation stage, are shared with parents and carers so they know what to expect and can be confident their children receive appropriate care. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection no recommendations were identified.

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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.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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