Childminder in CambridgeshireOfsted inspection, 25 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222523 Inspection date 25 November 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 1987. She lives with her lodger in the town 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 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 all part time and 1 child over 5 after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, they know to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. However, routines for nappy changing do not always promote children’s health or protect them from the risk of cross infection. Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that any children who become ill in the childminder’s home are well cared for so that they feel secure and comfortable. The childminder has a first aid box in place and is soon to update her first aid qualification. The childminder has written consent in place, from parents, to allow her to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency. This ensures that children receive appropriate care promptly. Children’s dietary needs are met. When providing snacks the childminder takes into account their dietary requirements and ensures that the snacks she provides are nutritious for children. The childminder always makes fresh fruit available and she

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Helping children to be healthy

encourages children to choose this as their snack. Children enjoy snack time; they sit at the table with the childminder and enjoy apples, grapes and yoghurts. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies. In the childminder’s garden children are able to practice large physical skills through riding bikes, tricycles, cars, scooters, climbing up slides and playing with balls. In addition they also visit local parks. Most days children go out for walks with the childminder to get fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies and minimises most potential risks in her home to provide a generally safe environment for children. She uses safety equipment such as cupboard locks to ensure that potentially dangerous items such as cleaning products are inaccessible to children. In the kitchen the childminder further promotes children’s safety by ensuring that knifes are kept out of children’s reach. The precautions the childminder takes in her home enables children to move around safely indoors and outdoors. Children use a sufficient range of suitable and safe developmentally appropriate resources which means that they can play safely. Children are developing an understanding of keeping themselves safe through the childminder's use of clear boundaries and limits, for example, she asks the children not to climb on chairs because they may fall and hurt themselves. When out on walks

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with children the childminder encourages them to develop an awareness of road safety. Children know that they must look and listen for vehicles before they cross the road. However, children have less knowledge of how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire.

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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 Children’s welfare is generally well protected. The childminder recognises her responsibility to protect children in her care. However, she has a limited understanding of the procedures she must follow if she became concerned about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the childminder’s home. Regular routines for meals, rest and play helps them to feel settled. For example, most mornings the children go out for walks and generally spend the afternoons playing at her home. The childminder plans the day around children’s routines for sleeps and feeds to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children enjoy a warm and affectionate relationship with the childminder, this contributes to their sense of belonging. Children enjoy the childminder’s company and include her in their play. They enjoy playing games such as rolling and catching balls with the childminder. Children participate in a satisfactory range of activities and experiences, for example, they look at books, dress up, complete puzzles, play with construction sets and have some opportunities to participate in creative activities such as hand painting, making calendars, painting and sticking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a wide range of toys and equipment for children to use. Sometimes children have the opportunity to ask for different toys and equipment which are stored out of their reach. Children’s interest in the range of toys is generally maintained as the childminder regularly rotates what is on offer. However, at times the toys boxes that she selects do no appeal to the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children make positive relationships between themselves and with the childminder. The childminder’s use of positive strategies for managing behaviour is helping children to learn to understand behaviour boundaries and to distinguish between right and wrong. For example, the childminder explains to children why they must not climb on furniture or take playdough into the lounge. The childminder’s use of praise and encouragement helps to build children’s self-esteem and encourages them to pursue activities that challenge them. For example, when a child was playing catch with her she gave him lots of encouragement and support to enable him to learn how to catch the ball. When the child caught the ball he laughed with delight and she gave him lots of praise. All children have equal opportunities to access activities and resources that meet their individual needs. As a result children’s confidence is being developed and their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

independence promoted. Children learn about diversity and the world around them through toys and resources that represent different members of society.

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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 Relationships with parents are friendly. They are made to feel welcome when they arrive and are encouraged to share daily information about their child. This ensures that the children’s changing needs continue to be met. The childminder has all of the required documents in place and these are shared with parents. This ensures that all children receive appropriate care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the childminder’s care. This means that they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. For example, children ask for equipment which is not visible such as the playdough. All of the required documentation is in place. This contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being. The childminder’s first aid certificate has recently run out. The childminder is due to attend a appropriate first aid course soon. This will ensure that she continues to have appropriate knowledge, to enable her to care for a child who becomes ill or has an accident. The childminder talks to parents regularly to ensure that they are well-informed about the service that she provides and the activities that she completes with children. This contributes to the continuity of children’s care so that they feel secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all of the children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and to discuss it with parents. The childminder has now added a written statement on her contracts with parents which outline her policy on caring for sick children. As a result, children’s good health is promoted and cross infection is minimised. Since the last inspection the childminder has ensured that the snacks that she provides are balanced and nutritious. This has ensured that the food that she provides meets children’s nutritional needs. For example, at snack time children enjoy fruit and yoghurts. The childminder has also extended the range of toys and resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. This helps children to learn about diversity and develop positive attitudes to others.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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

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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 changing routines promote children's health and protect them from the risk of cross infection • develop knowledge of child protection procedures which are in line with those of the local area child protection committee • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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