Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222900 Inspection date 26 October 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 1998. She lives with her husband and four children aged 15, 12, 9 and 3 years in a village in the south of Cambridge. Part of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is not currently a garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children under 5 all part time and 5 children over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local childminding group with minded children. The family have

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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 a snake which minded children don’t have access to.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example as they walk to and from school, ride on push along toys and play in local parks. Due to extensive building work taking place at her home the childminder does not currently have a safe area for children to play outside. Therefore she has made alternative arrangements for children to engage in physical play. For example, she takes children to a variety of different play areas in local villages and sometimes on rainy days they visit ‘Creepy Crawlies’ a indoor soft play area. Younger children are able to play on small ride on toys in the home to develop their physical skills. Children are cared for in a very clean and tidy home where they are able to learn the importance of good hygiene and develop their personal care skills. They develop an

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Helping children to be healthy

understanding of why they must wash their hands before meals and snacks and after using the toilet. This helps to reduces the spread of germs and of cross contamination. The childminder acts as a good role model for the children, washing her own hands regularly, particularly after changing nappies. If the children have an accident or become unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder, records are in place to make sure that appropriate care is given. For example she has gained consent from parents to seek medical advice or treatment for their child in an emergency and ensures that emergency contact details for all children are easily accessible. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They have drinks on hand throughout the day and are able to ask for top ups. Parents provide the majority of meals for their children. When the childminder does provided food she ensures that

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Helping children to be healthy

parent's wishes regarding their children's diet are respected, so that children are provided with balanced and healthy meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. For example, stair gates are used to prevent children accessing areas of the home where building work is being completed. This means children are able to move round safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and how to maintain their safety outside the home. For example, she provides all car seats as she knows that these fit appropriately in her car. This improves children’s safety in the event of an accident. Children learn the rules for road safety as part of their daily routine, for instance, while walking home from school they discuss the Green Cross Code.

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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 choose from a selection of good quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. Some are organised in child-height furniture to encourage children to access them safely and independently. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a clear understanding of child protection procedures in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and settled in the childminder’s home. They have formed warm relationships with her, which contributes to their sense of belonging. Children have many opportunities to meet and socialise with other children through their regular attendance to local toddler groups. Attending these groups also provides children with a wider range of different play opportunities. Children enjoy sharing favourite books and singing songs with the childminder. In addition the childminder helps children to develop their vocabulary by sensitively correcting the names they give to objects. For example, when a child looked at a grapefruit and called it a ball the childminder explained to the child that it was like a ball but we call it a grapefruit. This is supporting their language development and encourages them to communicate. All children enjoy a suitable range of activities and experiences. In the childminder’s

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

home the children enjoy activities such as, cooking crispy cakes, drawing, creative activities and playing with her variety of toys and equipment. Some resources are easily accessible on low-level shelving, which encourages children to explore them independently, making their own decisions about how they spend their time and develop their interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are identified through ongoing discussions with parents to ensure they are able to be met. Children are looked after according to parent’s wishes. Daily conversations ensure that they are kept informed about how their children have spent their day and provide a time where essential information on feeds, sleeps and nappy changes can be exchanged. Children settle quickly because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she follows the home routine. for example, children's sleeping and feeding times. Documents shared with parents are promoting the children’s care, welfare and learning. Children learn about their local community during trips around the local area through outings such as to toddlers, to pre-school activity groups and play areas. However, there are few resources to help children understand diversity and encourage them to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

develop positive attitudes towards others.

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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 are well behaved and happily occupied. Children generally make positive relationships between themselves and with the childminder and play well together. They are helped to learn to negotiate when having difficulty sharing popular resources. The strategies and language the childminder uses is assisting children to understand why behaviour is inappropriate and to help them to distinguish between right and wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the environment, time is well organised to provide children with varied play opportunities on the days that they attend. This means children can attend different toddler groups and use a variety of local facilities such as parks and soft play centres. In the home the storage of equipment develops children’s confidence to initiate play and explore the environment. The childminder has effective procedures in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares information regularly with parents 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 stored appropriately to ensure that all information is confidential. Paperwork is used effectively to ensure care needs are met. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection 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 appropriate care if they became ill or had an accident.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • consider ways of using the Birth to three matters framework to develop the practice for younger children • ensure that children have an appropriate activities and resources that promote diversity and the wider community.

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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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