Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222353 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

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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 has been registered since 1987. She lives with her 2 grown up children in Elm, a small village near to the town of Wisbech. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 14 children one of whom attends on a full time basis and 13 on a part time basis. The whole of the ground floor, an upstairs bathroom and a bedroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder 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 walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to visit the library van which calls at the village.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted because they are cared for in premises that are clean and hygienic. They learn about personal hygiene through good daily routines, such as washing their hands before eating. Children dry their hands on their own individual towels, reducing the risk of cross infection. Children's medical needs are well promoted as the childminder is trained in first aid and has all relevant documentation in place. The childminder acts in children's best interests if they are ill, as she has a sick children's policy in place which excludes those who are infectious and protects other children in her care. Children are provided nutritious food and drinks which promote their growth and development. They are served meals which are prepared by the childminder and include fresh fruit and vegetables, with menus that children enjoy. Children's dietary needs are well met, because the childminder discusses them with parents and

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Helping children to be healthy

records them on their personal information forms. Children's physical development is promoted through outdoor play in the garden, where they learn to ride, climb and run. Walks are taken regularly in the fresh air which further contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a range of activities to help their hand-eye coordination skills, such as puzzles and matching games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into an environment, that is well maintained. They have access to sufficient, suitable toys and play materials both inside and out. They are provided with all the necessary equipment and toys that help to create an accessible and stimulating environment which develops their emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills. Older children are able to access washing and toilet facilities both upstairs and down, which promotes their independence. The kitchen area is in a good clean condition, a fridge is available which ensures that food can be stored and prepared safely for children. Children play safely because the childminder takes good steps to ensure that hazards both inside and outside are minimised. For example doors are kept locked and the garden is enclosed, so that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Dangerous substances such as cleaning materials and medicines are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

inaccessible to children. Older children play with small "Lego" in an area that very young children cannot access to ensure that they do not choke on small items. Children's safety is further promoted because fire safety precautions are in place,

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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 such as fire evacuation procedures, which are displayed and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. Children are taught about the importance of the evacuation procedure because the childminder talks them through it, but they do not physically practise it. Children are well protected if abuse or neglect is suspected as the childminder has a good awareness of procedures. She has attended child protection training, is able to recognise signs and symptoms and has developed a child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's development is promoted through a wide variety of play and learning activities that are easily accessible. They have access to art and craft, through paint and play dough, imaginative play equipment, such as dolls, a play kitchen, dolls house, garage and cars. Story times are offered and children often spontaneously sing nursery rhymes when playing. Children's intellectual capabilities are promoted through being taught by the childminder to count, playing sorting and matching games. Children are interested in what is available and are able to sustain interest for long periods of time. Children's imaginative skills are well developed and they often include the childminder in their play by telling her what the "play people" are doing, such as 'they are going for a ride in the car'. They enjoy walks that are taken in the village and trips into the local town, where they experience everyday situations such

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as shopping, going to the bank or having a nice drink in the coffee shop. Children's independence is encouraged through self selection and gentle reminders by the childminder to put away one activity before getting out another. Their individual needs are met because the childminder plays with them, but recognises that sometimes children wish to be left to play on their own. Their self-esteem is developed because the childminder values their contribution, by giving praise, talking and listening to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about equality through their play and resources which reflect diversity. They are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met because the childminder discusses needs with parents to enable her to give appropriate care. Children with special needs can be cared for because the childminder understands the individual needs of each child in her care and has a good awareness of how children develop. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken to ensure that every child's needs can be met. Children behave well because the childminder gives realistic boundaries and is consistent in her approach towards them. Intervention and distraction techniques are used when appropriate. Older children are given explanations as to why the behaviour is unacceptable and on occasions are given "time out" until they have

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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 calmed down. A positive policy has been developed and includes simple house rules such as, respecting one another, sharing toys, eating together at the table and no jumping on the furniture, which helps children to understand right from wrong. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Children's care is enhanced because the childminder works closely with parents, sharing appropriate information. Parents have access to a very well organised set of policies and procedures which are presented in a folder along with details of the childminder's routines and what she is willing to offer on a daily basis, such as meals.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has the necessary skills and experience. She has been minding for 20 years, is chairperson of the local pre-school and runs the local parent and toddler group. She has also attended several workshops and courses to update her knowledge. The childminder ensures that all persons in the household over 16 and assistants are vetted, which ensures that persons in close contact with children are suitable to be so. Children's needs are well met because space and resources are organised effectively. They have access to all activities and toys in a play room where they are allowed to play and learn through free choice. The register records the times that children arrive and depart from the premises, which ensures that they can be accounted for at all times. Overall the childminder meets the needs of all the children she cares for.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation is in place and the childminder has a working set of policies and procedures which help her to carry out her work effectively and has a positive impact on the care the children receive.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that records for children contain information which enables appropriate care to be given. Children's care has been enhanced because records now contain all relevant information to enable the childminder to give all children appropriate care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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): • practise the emergency evacuation procedure.

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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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