Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286621 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2008 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 2004. She lives in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with the exception of the main bedroom, 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and two children over five after school, on a part- and full-time basis. The childminder mainly works together with a another childminder. She either rides or walks to a primary school to collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder implements good practice and procedures. She provides children with a clean environment and takes positive measures to ensure children begin to learn about personal hygiene. They follow established routines for washing their hands. The children are reminded to wash their hands by the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder, by a poster they have made which is sited near the sink. Each child has an individual, colour coded towel to use which limits the potential for cross-infection. Good nappy changing procedures further support children’s welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains a valid first aid certificate and a well-maintained first aid box which ensures the children receive appropriate care if they sustain a minor injury. She maintains appropriate accident, medication and incident records and provides parents a copy of her sick child policy so they are very aware of the arrangements in place. Children do not attend if they are not well or suffering from an infectious illness so other children are protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for the provision of food are agreed with parents. The childminder generally prefers to provide the healthy snacks and drinks for the children while parents provide their lunch. This arrangement works well. All of the children sit together with the childminder to eat and so meal times become a social occasion. The childminder has, in the past, attended food safety training to develop her knowledge of food hygiene. The children grow herbs and enjoy activities whereby they bake cakes and cookies. They also enjoy peeling and cutting up fruit from around the world and make ‘smoothies’ to taste. Children have easy access to their drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities that contribute to a healthy life style and enable them to be physically active. They spend time outside which ensures they benefit from the fresh air. They walk to the local parks to use the static equipment and to the lake to feed the ducks. Children use a range of equipment and resources in the childminder’s garden, or that of her co-childminder. They swing and slide, ride and run and bounce on the bouncy castle. Mobile babies have room to move around and practise crawling and walking. They sleep in comfort and are checked regularly to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety, inside and outside the home, is assured because the childminder is very aware of her responsibility to keep children safe. She conducts a risk assessment and completes a daily safety check to ensure that children are being welcomed into a safe environment. She takes steps to identify and minimise potential hazards which means that children can move freely around those areas used for minding. The childminder uses her garden effectively to support children’s play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good security and fire safety precautions contribute to children's overall safety within the home. Steps are taken to prevent them leaving the premises unsupervised and they practise fire drills to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has smoke alarms and a fire blanket to help minimise risks. However, as the fire blanket is not easily accessible its use is limited. Children are supervised carefully. They access a wide range of age-appropriate play materials which are checked daily to ensure their safety and cleanliness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children and the procedure she should follow if she has any concerns. Information relating to child protection is provided for parents in the form of a policy; this is well written and informative, but does not include referring any allegations made about herself to Ofsted.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and secure with the childminder. They are treated with warmth and affection and enjoy excellent relationships with her. Children approach her freely and babies respond to her as she engages with them during their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a varied and interesting range of activities, both inside and outside the home. They have opportunities to socialise with other children as their week includes meeting up with another childminder on a day-to-day basis. They use their imaginations and explore creativity through a wide variety of media. They feel the texture of jelly, manipulate clay and make and play with play dough. Children become excited as they play with the excellent range of dressing up clothes; they put on hats and shoes from around the world and try to tie up laces on large ‘clumpy’ shoes. The childminder shows the children their reflection in the mirror when they are dressed in hats or masks which makes them laugh.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a wide variety of activities whist in the childminder’s care. She is very experienced at engaging with the children, identifying with them and making the time spent with her fun and enjoyable. Children experience a range of different activities and outings during school holidays. For example, trips to Ferry meadows and to activity centres. These activities further enhance the range of children's experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the curriculum guidance to support her as she plans topics and activities for the children. She has an excellent knowledge of child development which enables her to pitch the activities at the correct level of the children being cared for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder’s home and are all treated as individuals and with equal concern. She understands the importance of adapting activities as necessary so all children can achieve and do well. For example, she has easy grip crayons and felt tips for the younger children as well as fine pens and pencils for the more able. She has large, medium and small building bricks so that all children can play together, but with toys that are suitable for their stage of development. The childminder shows a proactive approach to providing quality care for children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has attended training to underpin this care. Children develop an understanding of the local community and of the wider world. They take part in meaningful activities relating to major festivals and play with a range of resources which are representative of other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the continuity of care which is provided between home and when in her care. She ensures she seeks relevant information from parents about the children before they start and then maintains this through the constant updating of information and through a detailed ‘home link’ diary. This ensures information about the children’s care, the experiences they have and the progress they are making is fully shared with parents. This diary is in addition to talking to the parents as they arrive and collect their children. All parents receive a parent pack with lots of written information in which underpins the care provided. Parents provide written references about the quality of care provided for their children. All speak highly of the childminder, one parent describes the childminder as her ‘Mary Poppins’.

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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 are praised for their good behaviour and achievements which fosters their self-esteem and helps them to feel good about themselves. The use of good manners is reinforced throughout the daily routines and within their general play. The childminder encourages children to develop socially. For example by encouraging children to listen to each other and acknowledge each other when they speak. Children show an interest in one another. They are keen to help each other as they dress up and an older child carefully holds the hand of a baby who is learning to walk. The children play well together as they make a camp on the sofa with blankets and sit together sharing stories.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very much at ease in a comfortable home. They benefit from a day that is planned around their individual needs and routines; this adds to their sense of security. The childminder ensures that the children receive a balanced day. They have time to play indoors, outside and to go out into the local community. The childminder is skilled at ensuring the activities are balanced between those which are adult-led and those all important child-led activities where they have time to make choices and develop their own play.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her certificate of registration and childcare qualification together with many examples of children’s work and photographs of the activities they have been involved in during their last topic.

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Organisation

All required documentation and other records that promote the health, safety and welfare of children are in place. Paperwork is stored securely and has regard for confidentiality. Written policies and procedures covering all aspects of the childminder's service underpin practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive attitude towards ongoing training, professional development and keeping up-to-date with current childcare practice. This impacts greatly in the high quality of care provided for the children in her care. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve her knowledge of the local child protection procedures. The childminder now has a good knowledge and understanding of the procedures to be followed in the event she has any concerns regarding a child in her care. The child protection policy is in place and underpins the care provided, but requires a slight amendment. This remains a recommendation from this inspection.

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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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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): • develop the child protection policy further so that it includes referring to Ofsted any significant events • ensure that the fire blanket is easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

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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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