Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222753 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Emma 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 good. 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 1997. She lives with her adult child in their house 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 6 children under 8, 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 no pets.

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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 is a member of an accredited childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted because the childminder has an effective approach to health and hygiene and reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that her home is clean and well maintained. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are well met. However, written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is unclear, which could compromise children's welfare. Children learn about the importance of staying healthy through the childminder's support and guidance; they know to wash their hands after using the toilet. All children learn to lead a healthy lifestyle; they enjoy regular exercise, such as outings to the local park and playing in the garden, and all children benefit from the fresh air on their daily walks. Children are beginning to understand how exercise contributes to their good health and they observe the effects of activity on their

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Helping children to be healthy

bodies. For example, they use a stethoscope to listen to their hearts after they have been running. The childminder has developed good routines so that all children can sleep when they need to and this ensures that they are well rested. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of nutrition. Children enjoy a varied and healthy diet, consisting of a range of fresh foods prepared by the childminder, and they can access regular drinks throughout the day. Children know about healthy eating as the childminder involves them in activities that help them learn about food that is good for you. For example, children grow vegetables in the garden and help the childminder to prepare them for meals. Babies' individual routines are followed and they are fed according to parents' wishes, so that they are well nourished.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children play in a safe home where risks are identified and minimised and this means children can move around safely and freely. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains about the dangers, both indoors and on outings. Children are well supervised at all times, which means they safely develop their independence in a secure environment. Children's safety in case of fire is priority. For example, smoke alarms are checked regularly to ensure they are in good working order and the childminder has a written emergency escape plan. However, children do not practise the fire escape plan regularly so that they all know what to do in an emergency and are familiar with the routine. Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and

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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 resources, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. The good organisation of toys and activities means that children can follow their own interests and develop their play. All required documents and procedures are in place and are well maintained to safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder has appropriate consent for outings from parents. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, which are in line with those set out by the local Area Child Protection Committee. This means that children are protected and kept safe from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly 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 an excellent range of activities, which is prepared before children arrive, so that they can pursue their own interests and choose what they want to play with. For example, they find a paper bag and use it to play peek-a-boo with each other, which causes great merriment and this contributes to their ability to enjoy and achieve. 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their activities. Children's early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. Babies join in and play happily alongside older children as the childminder carefully observes them at play and sensitively offers help when necessary, promoting all children’s self-esteem. Children 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. All children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are clearly understood by the childminder, who gathers good information from parents, which ensures these needs are well met. Children play with a meaningful range of activities and resources, which promote a positive view of the wider world and this helps them to learn about their differences and similarities. The childminder helps children to become confident and develop their self-esteem through lots of positive interaction.

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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 Children's behaviour is excellent. They clearly understand about good behaviour and they play happily together, sharing and taking turns, with good support and gentle reminders from the childminder. The childminder effectively manages their behaviour by having clear, consistent boundaries, which are shared with parents. Children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children benefit from the positive, professional relationships between the childminder and their parents, which contribute significantly to their care and well-being, ensuring their changing needs continue to be met. Parents know about the childminder's practice as good written information is shared with them; all policies and procedures are in place to share with parents and carers. Written feedback from parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice in caring for their children. Children benefit from a good settling-in procedure, which helps them to make the transition between home and the childminder's home. Parents are kept very well informed of their child's routines and progress on a daily basis and this ensures that children's care, well-being and development are 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 very good 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has developed an excellent range of resources to support her equal opportunities policy. Children can easily access these resources in a variety of activities and experiences which promote their understanding and knowledge of diversity and the wider world.

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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 good. 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): • improve the wording to the written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment to ensure it is clear • ensure the fire escape plan is practised regularly so that children know what to do in an emergency.

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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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