Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

257111 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Anna Davies Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her three children aged three, nine and 14 years, in Bretton, a suburb situated to the west of Peterborough city centre. The whole of the house is registered for childminding purposes although children mainly use the ground floor. Upstairs is used for sleeping if required. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play which is accessed directly from the house.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children under five years of age on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for five children before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family keep goldfish and have a pet dog.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment. They are beginning to follow appropriate hygiene routines such as washing their hands before they eat and after they have been stroking the pet dog. Nappy changing procedures are effective in minimising the risk of cross-contamination. For example, the childminder washes her hands and wipes the changing mat after each change. Children are appropriately cared for in the event of an accident. For example, the childminder has maintained her first aid qualification, has access to an adequately stocked first aid box and ensures that she shares information about accidents with parents. Although the childminder has not had to administer any medication to children, she has a satisfactory understanding of the procedures to be followed and the records to be kept.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Daily walks with the families pet dog ensure that children benefit from fresh air and exercise. Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills during visits to the local park as they climb, slide, swing or play ball games. During the summer children benefit from using the childminder's garden where there is a suitable variety of outdoor toys to support their physical development. Younger children are encouraged by the childminder to progress in their physical development. For example, they are encouraged to stretch for toys situated just out of their reach, are held as they attempt to walk and placed on their hands and knees to encourage them to crawl.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is happy to work with parents regarding the provision of food for their children. The childminder routinely provides a suitable range of snacks such as toast, crumpets and hot dogs for children, especially those who come home from school in the afternoon. Children may ask for fresh fruit when they wish which encourages them to make some healthy choices. Drinks are available to children throughout their time at the childminders house which ensures that they remain hydrated. Younger children are encouraged to feed themselves finger food which encourages their independence and interest in food.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have adequate space to eat and play in comfort and safety in a well-maintained home. Facilities to enable children to sleep and rest are satisfactory. For example, they sleep in a travel cot or pushchair according to parental wishes. Children use a suitable range of toys and equipment which are checked regularly to ensure that they remain safe for use and in good condition. Some resources, especially those for younger children, are available for them to independently access for example from toy boxes stored on the floor. The childminder is mindful of ensuring younger children's safety. For example, toys with smaller parts are used at the kitchen table by the older children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted because the childminder takes positive steps to minimise potential hazards. For example, the premises are kept secure, knives and detergents are kept out of children's reach and a stair gate prevents children accessing the stairs without supervision. Children are supervised when they are playing in the garden which ensures their safety when using this area. Children are learning to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency as they practise regular evacuation procedures.

p.3

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 The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities towards protecting children from harm and neglect. She has most of the relevant information booklets to support her in the event that she has concerns about a child. However, there is no system in place to record existing injuries which does not ensure that the childminder's child protection procedures are completely secure.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Younger children are settled in the childminder's care and benefit from the individual attention they receive during the main part of the day. Children are provided with a good range of activities to enhance their development and enjoyment. For example, they participate in art and craft activities such as making hand-held masks and celebration cards, play dough and hand printing in paint. The childminder takes children to local groups where they have opportunities to socialise with other children and enjoy a further range of stimulating activities. Younger children are supported in their development as they are encouraged to crawl, walk and investigate boxes of toys stored on the floor within reach. For example, they explore the sounds that musical toys make and delight as they successfully stack rings. The childminder supports activities well, encouraging children to connect bricks together and play 'peek-a-boo'

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

behind them. As a result, younger children share warm relationships with the childminder and enjoy her company, giggling as they share games together. Children's language development is promoted as the childminder repeats key words, responds to their vocalisations and shares songs and stories with them. The childminder knows the younger children well and uses this knowledge effectively to encourage them to make progress in their learning and development as they play together.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School aged children are offered a good range of activities such as arts and crafts, board games and role play opportunities. The childminder has a lot of toys and resources for this age range. This ensures that they are able to make choices about how they spend their time after a day at school.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows the children well. For example, she responds to younger children's preferences for how they like to be fed and ensures that older children's choices and requests for resources are respected. Children play with a satisfactory range of resources that reflect diversity, promoting children's understanding of different cultures and abilities. Regular trips outside of the childminder's home ensure that children are becoming aware of their local community and the differences and similarities in people. The childminder shares some verbal information about equal opportunities with parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displays a positive attitude towards inclusion and working with parents and outside agencies as necessary, to meet the needs of all children in her care. The childminder encourages good behaviour by using frequent praise and by acting as a good role model herself. For example, modelling manners with younger children. Consistent house rules such as eating and drinking at the table, enable older children to understand what is expected whilst in the childminder's home. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge of age-appropriate strategies for managing behaviour.

p.4

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 Parents wishes are respected because a good range of written permissions are obtained. Parents of children aged under one year receive written information about their child's day, and there are opportunities to engage in daily discussions when children are dropped off or collected. This ensures that children's changing needs or routines can be suitably met. The childminder has some understanding of the procedures to follow in the event that she receives a complaint about her provision. For example, she has a complaints notebook in place. However, her knowledge of how to record any complaints received, is less secure.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are looked after by a caring childminder who has attended some further training such as first aid, in order to keep her knowledge both refreshed and updated. Children benefit from the childminder's organisation of time which ensures a well-balanced range of activities throughout the day. For example, home based activities and free-play, visits to local groups and regular walks to and from school and with the families pet dog. Resources are generally organised effectively, especially for the younger children, so that they may independently access toys themselves. This further enhances their enjoyment and independence. The effective organisation of space in the childminder's home means that children are able to eat and play in comfort and safety.

p.5

Organisation

Most of the required documentation and records are in place. These are generally maintained and used effectively to promote satisfactory outcomes for children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the provider was asked to obtain knowledge of the local child protection procedures. The provider now has the appropriate guidelines to support her practice and has a sound understanding of her role towards protecting children from harm. A further recommendation has been raised at this inspection regarding further developing child protection procedures. The provider was also asked to provide opportunities for children to become familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures. This is now regularly practised with the children which helps to ensure their safety in the event of an emergency.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 knowledge and understanding of complaints procedures and the way that they need to be recorded • develop child protection procedures. This specifically relates to developing a system to record existing injuries.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6