Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY351075 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Caroline Wright 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 2007. She lives with her husband and four children aged seven, 10, 16 and 18 years in Cambridge, close to the city centre. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five on part time basis and two children over five before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has three dogs, four cats, two rabbits and two ferrets as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with English as an additional language. She is member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and attends the local childminding group.

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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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene through regular daily routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating; hand towels are changed regularly to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Young children know that they need to wash their hands ‘to stop germs’ and notices in the bathroom help them to remember if they should forget. If the children become unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder, up to date records are in place to make sure that they are well cared for. In addition, the childminder carries special cards with her when she goes on outings with children, to alert the emergency services that she has minded children with her in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of childhood nutrition. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Children learn about healthy eating through meaningful experiences, such as helping to make sandwiches for tea or making their own pizzas. They know that ‘vegetables are good for you’ and are able to help themselves to a drink of water when ever they need one so that they remain well hydrated and healthy. In addition, children learn to lead a healthy lifestyle; they take part in regular exercise such as running around and climbing in the park or playing in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes good precautions to make sure that children are not at risk of infection from the animals that the family keep as pets. For example, children learn to wash their hands after petting the dogs or the rabbits. The dogs are in a special ‘run’ so that the children are kept safe and the outdoor play area is not contaminated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of babies and children under three-years. She uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to guide her practice and enable her to provide a good range of suitable activities for younger children. Children develop new physical skills according to their stage of development using the wide range of suitable toys and resources she provides. Babies are able to crawl around safely and pull themselves to standing using the sturdy sitting room furniture. Toys are placed within the reach of young children so that they can explore freely, which encourages them to move around the room and to become mobile.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around independently under the childminder's constant supervision. They select activities and resources from a wide range of suitable toys and equipment, which are checked by the childminder to ensure they are in good condition. Children learn about staying safe outside the home, holding hands when they go out for walks with the childminder. They know that they must ‘look and listen for cars’ when they cross the roads on the way to the shops or to school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's overall welfare is maintained by procedures and documents that promote their safety. For example, the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures, which are in line with those set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Children’s safety in the event of a fire is well promoted. For example, the childminder is pro-active in checking

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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 smoke alarms regularly to make sure that they are in good working order and children learn how to evacuate the premises quickly in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, sharp knives in the kitchen on the drainer and in low level drawers are accessible to children. This compromises children’s safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder’s house and form good relationships with the childminder. They take part in interesting activities that help them to make progress. For example, they play with a musical roller-coaster to learn about ‘cause and effect’ whilst they are experimenting with sounds and rhythm. They play outside in the garden, helping to care for the family’s pet rabbits to help them learn about the natural world and how to care for others. They use items such as glitter, paint and sequins to make artwork. They enjoy playing with dough and exploring colours when they paint pictures to explore their creativity. Children enjoy cutting with the childminder; she encourages them to learn how to use scissors safely whilst they develop manipulative dexterity. Children enjoy looking at books and re-tell familiar tales using story language. They turn the pages carefully and gently pull out ‘tabs’ in the activity

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books, which the childminder provides to capture their interest and imagination. Children tell their own stories when they play together in the role play kitchen or engage in a game about ‘emergencies’ with the cars on the mat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are generally independent and play happily together. A good range of toys and equipment is easily accessible to the children in the playroom, so that they can choose what they want to play with. Babies and younger children play with interesting toys such as a ‘Vtech walker’; they press buttons and watch with interest as lights flash and music plays. The childminder talks with the children and joins in their play with interest and enthusiasm. As a result, children are confident and motivated by the activities provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children form good relationships with each other and understand each other's needs with the help of careful explanations from the childminder. Children are well behaved and learn what is expected of them through the sensitive use of regular routines such as always sitting at the table to eat meals. Children learn positive attitudes towards diversity through playing with toys that represent all members of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They settle well and are confident and interested in activities. They help themselves to toys and resources in the play room, initiating their own activities and making decisions. The childminder makes sure that she has information from their parents about individual likes and dislikes to help them to settle easily and to feel secure. Children's individual needs, are well met, including those children with disabilities or learning difficulties. The childminder develops positive relationships with children’s parents and carers to ensure that she is kept informed about changes to children’s care needs. Parents discuss their children at hand over times each day so that they are well informed about their children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, the childminder does not provide children with free access to art and craft materials or messy activities. These are initiated by the childminder to fit in with her plans for the session. This impacts on children’s ability to pursue their own interests.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of the childminding promotes positive outcomes for children. The arrangement of the play room and storage of resources contribute to children’s independence and enables them to choose what they want to play with. Toys and equipment are well organised and stored at child height, so that they can learn to make decisions. There is enough space for them to play safely and move freely indoors and out. In addition, toys and equipment for babies and children under three- years-old, supports their overall development and encourages them to explore. However, the childminder does not make sure that sharp knives are out of children’s reach and children are not able to initiate art and craft or messy activities for themselves. This impacts upon their safety and their ability to pursue their own interests.

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Organisation

Essential documents are well organised and stored confidentially. Up to date records contribute to the health and well-being of all of the children that the childminder looks after. All essential documents and records are available for inspection and easy to access in an emergency.

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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 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 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): • make sharp knives, which are on the sink drainer and in the low level kitchen drawers, inaccessible to children • provide children with free and independent access to art and craft materials and messy play activities.

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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 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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