Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222237 Inspection date 22 December 2005 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a village on the outskirts of Cambridge. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part-time. The family has a dog.

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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 are cared for in a warm clean home. They are becoming independent in their self-care skills and are developing an understanding of the reason why they need to wash hands before handling food and after using the toilet. They regularly talk with the childminder about washing their hands to get rid off germs. Children's well being is safeguarded by the use of appropriate accident and medication records. Parents are given clear guidelines for their children's attendance when unwell to help them ensure there is no risk of cross infection. Children increase their knowledge of healthy food through the provision of healthy snacks and drinks. A variety of fruit is offered at snack time to help children make healthy choices about what they eat. Children enjoy balanced and varied meals such as, casseroles, pasta, sandwiches and yoghurts. Drinks are always easily accessible

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Helping children to be healthy

to younger children whilst older children are becoming aware of their needs and ask for drinks and food as they require them. This is supported by the childminder. For example, when a young child said ‘My tummy’s rumbling’, the childminder replied ‘do you think it would like something to eat’. A positive attitude to exercise is encouraged and children enjoy regular walks to look at the trains giving them exposure to fresh air to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In the summer children regularly use the garden, however, this area is used less often in the winter.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Good use is made of space in the home to create a child-centred environment in which children feel welcome and secure. Children freely use the downstairs of the home choosing different areas to best suit their play. For example, they use the playroom for quiet play such as reading books and watching television and the kitchen for creative activities and imaginative play. Children are able to play in safety because the childminder has minimised any potential risks to children. For example, in the kitchen knives are stored out of children’s reach and all cupboards have safety locks on them preventing children’s access. Consideration has been given to what to do in the event of a fire. However, children's awareness of fire safety has not been developed by practising the procedure or discussing it with them. Children are provided with a range of toys and resources that are suitable for their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

age and development. The toys are safe, frequently cleaned and regularly checked by the childminder. Children know that if toys are broken they must be thrown away to promote their safety. Most resources are stored at a low level to allow children to access them safely and independently. Children are protected as the childminder ensures that they are not left alone with

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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 anyone who is not vetted. The childminder has a generally sound knowledge of child protection issues and some understanding of the correct procedures to follow if she had a concern. This is helping to protect children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder's house. They are confident and make themselves at home. Children relate well to each other and the childminder. Good relationships are supporting children's learning and helping them to feel secure. They socialise with other children through regularly meeting up with other minded children. This helps them become confident outside of the childminder’s home and gives them opportunities to experience a variety of different activities and play opportunities which promote their learning and development. Children spend their time purposefully engaging in activities that support their learning, helping them acquire skills and to have fun. For example, children have opportunities to paint, play with playdough, dress up, draw, construct and sing and share stories with the childminder. Children have access to resources which promote their imagination and creativity. For example, enjoy using the childminder’s kitchen

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

table to make dens, they dress up in fairy wings pretending to be butterflies and use her cans of food to pretend to go shopping using her play shopping trolleys. Children's all round development is supported well as the childminder sensitively interacts with them. For example, she is interested in what children do and say, talks and listens to them and asks questions to make them think, which extends their learning. When children decide they want to draw a map, she talks to them about how to use maps and asks them what they might find. Children’s independence skills are promoted as they choose from a range of toys available to them in the playroom and as they help to tidy up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and their wishes are respected. The childminder listens to children and allows them to make choices about how they spend their time in her care. The childminder meets the children’s needs effectively and follows their normal daily routines for sleeping and eating as advised by their parents. The childminder provides some activities and play resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity. However, these are limited mainly to books and videos. Children behave very well and use polite language, saying please and thank you at appropriate times. This is sensitively supported by the childminder. Children understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the examples set by the childminder. Children take turns and share very well. For example, at snack time the childminder made up one bowl of fruit, the children sat together

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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 sharing the fruit equally, passing the bowl to one another without any support from the childminder. Children show care and concern for each other, and play together harmoniously. For example, when building trains with pegs, one child asked another ‘can you help me?’ the child responded ‘ok’ and started to help build a long train. Children benefit from a friendly partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information regularly. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis, sharing information on their child’s day and any achievements. This helps the children settle well and become confident with the childminder who is aware of their likes, dislikes and daily routines. Parents were informed about the inspection and have written very positive comments about the childminder describing her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

‘professional’ and stating that their children are ‘relaxed and happy’ in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home, happy and at ease in the childminder’s home. Space is organised well to provide plenty of varied play opportunities. This means children are confident to initiate their play and explore the environment. Children receive good levels of support from the childminder, she talks and listens to children respectfully so that they develop a sense of belonging and feel valued. The childminder has maintained an appropriate first aid certificate ensuring that her knowledge and skills are up to date. The childminder and parents share information regularly so that both parties are well informed about the service and the children's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Appropriate documentation is in place and most of the paperwork is used effectively to ensure care needs are met. All required documentation is stored accessibly whilst remaining confidential.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children’s safety. By using plug socket covers, she has ensured that all electrical sockets which are not in use are inaccessible to children. In addition, she uses a stair gate to ensure that the children can not access the upstairs of her home unattended. At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that all required records were put in place and to obtain copies of the Standards and Guidance for childminders. This was to ensure the safe management of the provision and to promote children’s welfare. The childminder now has all of the required records in place including forms to record accidents, incidents and children's daily attendance. The childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents, to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. The childminder has obtained this permission for all children. This ensures that children would receive prompt and

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Improvements since the last inspection

appropriate care if they became ill or had an accident. The childminder was also

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Improvements 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 asked to obtain written permission from parents, prior to administering medication and to keep and maintain written records of when medicines have been administered to children, which must be signed by parents. The childminder has amended her procedures for administering medication and has all of the required documentation in place should she need to administer. This ensures that children receive appropriate care when children are ill.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004’.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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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): • ensure that children are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of resources and activities which promote diversity.

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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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