Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222803 Inspection date 10 May 2005 Inspector Emma Louise Bright

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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 outstanding. 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 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 14 in Cambridge. All areas of the childminder’s house 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 7 children under five, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a rabbit, which is kept in a hutch in the garden.

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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 The childminder supports children with special educational needs and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance; they know to wash their hands after using the toilet. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that her home is always clean and well maintained. Each child has their own eating utensils, potty or toilet seat and linen, all of which are clearly labelled and children know which is theirs. Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden, such as bouncing on a large trampoline or riding on a range of wheeled toys and this helps to develop their coordination and physical skills. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder has developed good routines for sleep times, which ensures that children are well rested. Children are becoming aware of good nutrition and demonstrate a good understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy an excellent range of fresh food prepared by the childminder for all their snacks and meals. Children are aware of their own needs and confidently ask for more juice or water. The childminder has clear information on children's dietary requirements and works with the parents to ensure that these requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has an excellent understanding of safety issues; children have space to move around safely and freely as she has minimised risks to keep them safe from harm. Children learn about the dangers as the childminder helps them to understand how to keep safe. All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. All children readily help themselves from the well organised selection so they can follow their own interests. Required documents and procedures are in place and well maintained to safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder has recently updated her first aid

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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 certificate. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and has recently attended training to update her knowledge and inform her practice. She has exceptionally good procedures in place to ensure children are closely monitored and supervised whilst sleeping.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have established warm and affectionate relationships with her, which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of child development and uses the Birth to Three Matters framework as a reference tool, which enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is suited to each child. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as listening and dancing to music, drawing and art and craft. Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Children's early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they discuss their activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and talk about what they are doing. The childminder has learnt Makaton sign language so that children with special needs develop their communication skills. The childminder is skilful in encouraging children to make very good progress in all areas of development. For example, children relate activities to their own experiences by re-enacting familiar scenarios with the childminder, who uses skilful questioning so children can demonstrate what they know. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed and included in the provision. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and to help children understand their differences and similarities. Children with special needs are very well cared for. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of special needs and this enables her to offer effective support to the child and the parents. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder has a clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play happily together, sharing and taking turns as the childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another.

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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 The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. Written feedback from parents demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice and her skills in caring exceptionally well for their children. The childminder gathers and shares extensive information with parents, including a daily diary for each child so that parents are well informed of their child's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care, well-being and development is greatly enhanced.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's highly effective organisation of time, space and resources. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are part of a bigger family. The childminder attends regular training opportunities and this informs her childcare practice. Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development and of her legal duties. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The written policies and procedures are shared with parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. The high quality of the provision means that the needs of all the children are extremely well met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the childminder has written statements on Special Needs and Child Protection. Both statements are in place and made available to parents. This ensures parents are informed of the childminder's practice, that children's individual needs are met and they are kept safe.

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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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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