Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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256897 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2007 Inspection date Lesley Barrett 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her two children aged 12 and nine years in a suburb of Peterborough. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and a fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under five years and three children under eight years. Care is also provided for children over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of an approved 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 good. Children's good health is very well protected. They are encouraged to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after eating, after using the toilet and after coming in from outdoor play. Effective hygiene procedures are in place to ensure that family pets do not pose a health or safety hazard to children. The childminder is able to respond appropriately in the event that a child has an accident whilst in her care as she holds a valid first aid certificate and a well-stocked first aid box. All documentation regarding the administration of medication and accidents to children is appropriately maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that children's dietary needs are met. Children's food throughout the day is provided by the childminder and she ensures that their diet is nutritious and varied offering them lunches which are healthy and well balanced. Nutritious snacks of dried and fresh fruit are also offered. Drinks are accessible to the children at all times, this ensures that they remain well hydrated. Therefore children's good health is effectively promoted during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a range of varied opportunities to enjoy fresh air and develop their physical skills. They can play in the garden on a daily basis, using an assortment of equipment. Daily walks to and from school are used to explore the environment and the changing seasons. Regular trips to the park enable children to further develop their physical skills and they are able to make use of the large static equipment to practise climbing. Inside the home, children are able to dance to music and take part in various action songs, they thoroughly enjoy joining with songs such as 'the wheels on the bus' which allows them to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment which is well maintained. Children have lots of space to play. For example, they fetch toys from the playroom to use in the lounge and they can relax on the comfortable sofas. Children independently select from a good range of toys and equipment, which are regularly checked and cleaned to ensure their continued suitability for use by the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the need to keep children safe and has identified and minimised risks to children. Due to ongoing building work she continually addresses her risk assessments to ensure that the premises consistently provide children with a high level of safety. The childminder has given considerable thought to her emergency and accident policy and has notified parents of possible contingency arrangements. This ensures that children's safety is paramount. Appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place in case of fire and the childminder is familiar with her emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder uses everyday opportunities to teach children about keeping safe. For example, whilst out walking, they discuss the importance of walking together and crossing the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues, she has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event that she has concerns about children in her care. As a result, children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. She

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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 shares information about child protection with parents which ensures that they are fully aware of the childminder's responsibilities towards safeguarding children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and well settled in the childminder's home. They have formed strong relationships with the childminder. She has a good understanding of child development and knows the children's individual needs well, which enables them to make good progress. They enjoy participating in a stimulating range of activities and have good opportunities to develop their skills. They are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a good range of toys and play equipment. The childminder supports children's play and learning well. She offers them much praise and encouragement and takes their lead as they initiate activities of their choosing. For example a child chooses to complete jigsaws, they are provided with good support as the childminder talks to them about what they can see and asks questions to encourage their thinking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's early mathematical development is well promoted as the childminder uses everyday opportunities, such as counting the fruit they are buying for their snack. Children's creativity is promoted as they have opportunities to explore materials such as water, sand and they are able to make their own creations from a wide variety of craft resources. Good opportunities are provided for children to receive a balance of activities inside and outside the home as daily the childminder visits toddler groups or meets with other childminders. This allows children to develop their social skills and provides them with a extensive range of activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a wide range of activities and the childminder encourages learning through their interests. For example, they thoroughly enjoy role play. They are also provided with regular opportunities to take part in cooking and enjoy a varied range of craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and respected as individuals. For example, they are all welcomed in to the childminder’s home, they are able to make free decisions about what they would like to do and their artwork is attractively displayed. The childminder ensures the activities that she provides, involve all of the children and has particular regard for their current interests. This ensures that all children feel a sense of belonging and self-worth. Children have good relationships with each other and respect for one another is routinely encouraged by the childminder. The children are developing an understanding of diversity in the wider world. For example, they use a good range of resources, which the childminder borrows from a local toy library, such as books, puzzles, play figures and dolls, that encourage a positive attitude towards race, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to behave well through the use of praise and encouragement. This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are provided with consistent boundaries which allows them to develop a sense of belonging and feel secure. The childminder herself is a good role model as she treats the children with respect and understanding. The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, but displays a positive attitude towards working with parents, carers and outside agencies to meet the individual needs of all children in her care.

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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 benefit from consistency of care because the childminder works closely with parents to meet their needs. For example, she gains a good amount of information regarding children's individual needs and obtains many written consents from parents to ensure that they are fully aware of the activities and services that she provides. A daily diary is kept for the parents of younger children and daily discussions with all parents ensure that children's individual needs continue to be met. The childminder has a detailed portfolio available for parents, to ensure that they are kept fully informed about the care she offers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's effective organisation of time, activities and resources, and her good knowledge of child development. She provides an environment where children are very settled, interested in the activities and safe. She offers them very effective care and attention during their play to ensure that they make good progress in their development. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to further developing her practice, knowledge and understanding, as she attends training courses and workshops, and has opportunities to meet with other providers to discuss good practice. This has a positive impact on all outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted by up to date records, which are very well organised. All required documentation is in place and stored confidentially. Occasionally, the childminder works with an assistant whom the children and parents are all familiar with, however secure systems to record when the assistant is present are not currently in place. The childminder has developed a wide range of policies and procedures which underpin her good practice. As a result, children's general health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution, is effectively promoted. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following her last the inspection the childminder was required to obtain written permission for the use of plasters and for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment. This has been addressed and has a positive impact on the care of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any further 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 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 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 a daily record is kept of when an assistant is present.

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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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