Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222046 Inspection date 09 December 2005 Inspector Lorraine Hunt

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a village to the north of Cambridge. All areas of the premises are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 and a total of 4 children over 5 before and after school. The childminder drives to the local nursery, playgroup and primary school to take and collect children. The family has 2 working dogs which are kept in a pen in the garden when childminding takes place.

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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. Children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and childhood nutrition. They enjoy a varied range of good quality, freshly prepared meals and snacks, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. They have easy access to water and drinks of juice during the day which promotes healthy drinking practices. Children's dietary needs are met through discussion with parents. Young children are content and well rested because the childminder offers flexible care which ensures that they are able to eat and sleep to suit their individual needs. Children of all ages enjoy a suitable range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Consistent hygiene routines and clear explanations increase children's understanding of the importance of following practices such as using tissues when they have a cold and not sharing each other's cups. If children need to take any medicines or become

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Helping children to be healthy

unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder, the necessary records and consents are in place to make sure that appropriate care is given. However, the first aid box is not checked regularly to ensure that it is stocked with the necessary items.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home environment where risks are minimised, and they move around safely and independently under the childminder's constant supervision. The childminder helps children to learn to keep themselves safe by explaining about the dangers, for example why they have to be careful as they climb up and down from the kitchen chairs. Children learn about staying safe outside the home as they hold hands or the buggy when they go out for walks or school runs with the childminder. Children play with a range of suitable toys and resources, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. Children are able to self select from some resources stored in boxes on child height open shelving, which means that children can follow their own interests and develop their play. Children are protected because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection issues which she is planning to further improve through the NSPCC child protection awareness programme modules.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder's care. They confidently make themselves at home and form warm, positive relationships with the childminder and each other,

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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 which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder organises consistent daily routines for rest and play, which helps children feel settled and secure. Children enjoy a good range of activities and experiences. For example, they attend local groups, which provide children with opportunities to socialise with others. Older children particularly enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities; for example their 'pirate ship', made from a large box which they have decorated, is used as the focus for role play in which they dress up and have fun wearing their home-made eye patches. Children benefit from the good support offered during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, children's early communication skills are developed through good interaction with the childminder, who responds

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

positively to their talk. Although play and everyday experiences such as shopping are used to introduce concepts such as counting, shapes, sizes and colours in a meaningful way, the activities provided for young children could be further developed and enhanced, for example by using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's thorough knowledge of their individual needs enables her to provide them with appropriate care. Children's behaviour is good. They learn to behave well and play happily together with the support of the childminder, who helps them to share and take turns. Children understand what is expected of them through regular routines, such as always sitting at the table for meals and snacks, and consistent expectations, which helps them to feel secure. Children develop confidence and self-esteem through positive interaction with the childminder who praises their efforts and achievements. The effective partnership with parents and carers contributes towards the children's care, well-being and feelings of security. Written feedback from parents demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice, the care she provides and the support

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Helping children make a positive contribution

she offers to the children and their families. Daily discussions with parents ensures that information is shared and routines are followed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable, happy and at ease with the childminder and in the home environment. This means that they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping and has procedures in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She talks to parents on a daily basis to keep them well informed about the care provided and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity of children's care so that they feel secure. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop the range of resources that reflect positive images of social diversity and to provide opportunities for children to self select resources. The childminder has acquired additional resources such as books, puzzles and dolls that promote equal opportunities and also regularly uses the library to supplement her own resources. A wooden, low level, open shelving unit now enables children to independently access resources from toy boxes so that they can follow their interests and develop their own play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a complaint regarding supervision of children and conducted an unannounced visit to the childminder on 29 June 2005. The childminder was given a formal warning for caring for more children than stated on her conditions of registration. The childminder was also given 3 actions to complete. These were as follows - ensure that at all times the number of children cared for does not exceed the number stated on the registration certificate (Standard 2), ensure that minded children are directly supervised at all times (Standard 6 - refers to leaving minded children unattended in the car) and ensure that records of attendance and documentation relating to minded children are accurate and kept up to date at all times. A satisfactory response to these actions was received on 18 July 2005 and the childminder remains qualified for registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • continue to develop practice with under 3s through the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure that the first aid box is appropriately stocked at all times.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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