Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341552 Unique Reference Number 25 April 2007 Inspection date Margaret Coyne 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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three years and eight years in a house in a village close to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for four children over five years and two children over eight years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis before and after school. There were no children present during the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a childminder support group on a regular basis. 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 satisfactory. The childminder discusses how she helps the children to promote their own good health in a positive way. For example, she describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines, with discussions about hand washing and with a poster in the bathroom to remind them to wash their hands. A box of tissues is available for the children to use and the childminder talks about how she reminds them to cover their mouths when coughing to prevent germs spreading. Separate towels are placed in the bathroom for the children to use which also helps prevent cross-infection. Policies are in place to further protect the children's health such as a medication policy and a sick child policy. Systems are in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs and dietary requirements. Children receive appropriate treatment following accidents because the childminder holds a current first

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Helping children to be healthy

aid certificate. Accidents are recorded and signed by parents. Suitable documentation is in place to record any medication administered to children following written parental consent being given.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for children and would like to complete the food hygiene training to compliment her practice. At present she only provides breakfast and snacks for children as they only attend for a short time before and after school. Separate breakfast cereals are stored for the children to choose from and snacks, such as fruit, are provided when children come home from school. Children have drinks accessible at all times to ensure they remain hydrated. She has systems in place to clearly record details of any allergies, likes and dislikes to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder talks about encouraging children's physical development through regular walks to local schools. She also explains how she takes them to local parks, and has time after school with the children on the village green where there is space for them to run around and play in the fresh air. The garden is very child orientated with a wide variety of equipment to help children develop their physical skills, coordination and confidence. They are able to access a climbing frame with built in slide, climbing ropes and tent and there is a separate swing and football goals. The childminder speaks about how much the children enjoy playing in this area and are able to use both large and small equipment to extend their skills as they climb, balance, and use sit and ride cars and bikes, throw and kick balls and have fun on the bouncy castle and ball pond. The childminder speaks about how the children's hand and eye coordination and

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Helping children to be healthy

dexterity is promoted through the extensive range of equipment they can access indoors. For example, construction equipment, creative play and with board games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a clean, safe and secure environment for children. Through observation and discussion with the childminder it is evident that there is sufficient space for children to play and take part in many activities both indoors and outdoors. For example, children are able to choose from the art and craft cupboard to select resources for messy or creative play, they have space to play with the varied activities for imaginative play and constructive play. For those children who wish to play quietly after school they can use the play station or read books. The resources are very well organised in a manner which helps to promote children's free choice.

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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 They are sufficient in quality, are of a high standard of safety and cleanliness and are easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. She introduces them to road safety during school collections and when walking to and from the parks. This teaches the children how to cross the road safely and ensures they stay with her when on outings and walks. The childminder has devised a written emergency evacuation procedure which is practised with the children to give them a clear idea of how to leave the home in an emergency. Some children have also written this out for themselves which clearly shows their understanding. The garden has been made extremely safe for the children with high fences and an escape route through the garage in event of an emergency evacuation. Soft safety surfaces are in place under the climbing frame to prevent accidents to children if they should fall. The childminder speaks about the boundaries

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she has in place for the children and that they are very good at respecting these at all times. For example the rules when using the larger equipment. She says that the older children are good role models for the younger ones as they explain things to them such as 'Stranger Danger'. This helps all children learn about keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder verbally demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities with her child protection procedures. These enable her to safeguard children's welfare appropriately in most areas. She is confident she can report any concerns quickly to prevent a child from suffering further harm and would work closely with parents to share the responsibility with them. Most documents are in place for the protection of the children. However, the childminder has not yet obtained the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has not yet devised a confidential system to record any concerns. This could potentially compromise children’s welfare. The childminder is able to speak about her procedures should anyone make an allegation against her and understands the importance of keeping her records and documents up to date to provide clear evidence of her practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Evidence suggests that children are settled and move confidently around the setting. The childminder talks about how she encourages children’s interaction with each other and herself. This enables them to build meaningful relationships and to feel settled and secure in her care. She aims to offer a warm and caring environment so that children are happy with her. She talks about how she encourages children to be considerate to each other's needs. She feels children help each other out and are good role models for each other as they share and take turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment and enthusiasm to extend her practice to ensure children have opportunity to play and learn in a stimulating and challenging environment. At present children only attend for short periods before and after school but the childminder is able to demonstrate the range of activities they take part in. For example, they have opportunity to use the outdoor equipment and to express themselves using their imaginations in familiar role play such as family play with the dolls, washing clothes, cooking and being 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'. Children enjoy many different creative opportunities. The childminder speaks about their favourites at the moment which are rainbow art and making 'Scoobys'. Football is also a great favourite as the children join in playing it and discussing their favourite teams and swooping stickers for their football books.

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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 The childminder speaks about her enjoyment with the children and feels this has a positive impact on their care, play and learning because she tries to make the experiences fun and interesting. She speaks about how she is actively involved in their games and takes a turn on the play station with them. She speaks at length about they way the children interact together and the great friendships that have formed between them all. This encourages children to take part in the activities because they have a sense of belonging in the group and can play happily alongside their friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At present the childminder is not using the 'Birth to three matters' framework because she cares for older children. However, she is hoping to obtain this before younger children are cared for and to become familiar with it before the changes that are happening next year. Observation of resources and equipment shows they are organised and used well. The childminder speaks about the opportunity she gives the children to involve them in the planning of their own activities and giving them a voice in what they would like to take part in each week.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a commitment in promoting equality of opportunity with children. Many discussions take place to help children recognise, acknowledge and value diversity in society. The childminder demonstrates how the children look at football books showing positive images of different footballers from around the world and joining in discussions about where they come from, the flags of their country and the food they may eat. Because the children are interested in football this brings the world alive for them. However, there is a limited range of resources to give a positive view to the children about disability. This means that children's awareness of society is not fully promoted. The childminder has developed a clear and positive equal opportunity policy that addresses discrimination. She speaks about how she ensures that she treats all children with equal care, concern and respect and helps children learn to respect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

her home, each other and themselves. There are no children attending with any learning difficulties or disabilities. However, the childminder promotes inclusion for all children and spoke about how she would look at the level of care required for each child and consider her commitments at the time. She would be willing to access any additional training to extend her knowledge and understanding to enable her to care for any child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound and positive knowledge of behaviour management, sharing her strategies and examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of all ages. She speaks about how she tries to avoid any dramas with the use of her strategies and never shouts at the children because she feels they respond better to the 'quiet' voice. She discusses her expectations for children to behave well and how she helps them learn to manage and control their own behaviour with praise and support. A comprehensive behaviour management policy is in place and is shared with parents to help them all work consistently together to benefit the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder speaks about the positive relationships which have been developed with parents and feels these impact on the confidence and security of each child. She ensures each parent has time to discuss their child's day and activities they have taken part in. This fully involves parents in their child's care. Parents are provided with some information about the childminder's practice verbally and also receive the policy pack to refer to at any time. The childminder's registration certificate, first aid certificate and public liability insurance documents are all displayed. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s care, sharing information between them to ensure children can settle quickly with the childminder. Contracts and children's

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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 information sheets are in place between the childminder and parents providing clear information about the expectations of each party. A clear complaints policy is included in the parents' pack. Although the childminder can demonstrate her understanding of keeping a record of complaints this has not yet been introduced to enable all to work together to support the children's well-being and to keep an open and honest record.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is developing a highly professional, organised service for children and parents. She makes excellent use of her written procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She has only recently started to care for children and is developing her practice to extend her knowledge by meeting with a local childminding group to share good practice guides. She plans to access additional training to further enhance her knowledge and understanding across many aspects of her childminding practice. She has completed her first aid course and will shortly have completed her Introductory to Childminding Practice course.

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Organisation

The childminder has comprehensive and extremely well-organised records and documentation in place. These are used effectively in most areas to support the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and they can access these at any time. Verbal information is provided regularly about their child's progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which the childminder feels impacts positively on the children. The childminder has developed an important awareness of record keeping and maintaining ratios in order to be able to fully support each child and meet their individual needs. Evidence suggests that the needs of all children are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • devise and implement a system to record any child protection concerns • ensure children have access to a varied range of age-appropriate toys and play materials to promote positive images of equality of opportunity with regard to disability • introduce a system to record any complaints and the action taken by the registered person

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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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