Cupitt Amanda Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222944 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a semi detached house. The whole of the ground floor, plus the upstairs bathroom, of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day, for part of the week. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a parrot,

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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 hamster and some fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is warm, clean, safe and well maintained. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs and are well protected from harm. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental permission for minded children to access the family pets. The childminder pays regard to the Birth to three matters guidance. She ensures she is promoting a healthy child by providing age appropriate activities which include lots of fresh air and physical play. Children are familiar with daily routines and the importance of practising personal hygiene skills. They know, for example, when to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs, particularly after they have been to the toilet. Effective procedures followed by the childminder, protect children from illness and infection. For example, she ensures babies nappies are disposed of appropriately and uses baby wipes to

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Helping children to be healthy

keep the toddler clean. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are provided with water, milk and a range of juices. Snacks and meals are healthy and nutritious and include fresh vegetables, fruit and various finger foods. The childminder takes into account the wishes of the parents and children's preferences to provide foods that appeal to the children and meet their dietary and religious requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where risk of accidental injury is minimised through good safety and security precautions. This means children have room to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder sets acceptable examples for children to follow and helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe, both inside and outside the home. Road safety is encouraged during school collections. However, she has no smoke alarms in the home. Children are able to ask for toys and activities from a good range of resources. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe, age appropriate and in good condition. Children are encouraged to help tidy away toys they have finished with to help them take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. The childminder has all the required documents and procedures in place to ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has an

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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 understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and has completed a child protection course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's interaction with each other and adults is good and this enables them to build meaningful relationships. They spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided, supported and encouraged by the childminder. Children are motivated to learn and explore. Resources and equipment are organised and used well, which means children have access to exciting and stimulating activities to enhance their overall development. Most children are cared for on a part time basis, for example, two or three days each week, but spend their time purposefully playing with the toys provided. The childminder sets out activities prior to children's arrival, making sure they are age appropriate and stimulating. They have a good relationship with each other and are happy and settled. Children are encouraged through lots of praise and enjoy a caring relationship with the childminder and show increasing confidence as they communicate with others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy physical activities in the well resourced outdoor play area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are met well as they follow their daily routines. Parent's wishes are taken into account when establishing children's needs and all relevant information is recorded at the initial visit. Children learn about the local community and have access to reference books and satisfactory multi cultural resources reflecting diversity and the world around us. Children show concern for each other, generally playing harmoniously together. They behave well through clear guidance, praise and encouragement from the childminder. House rules are established and children are aware of what they can and cannot do. For example, completing simple tasks, such as helping to tidy toys away. They understand right from wrong through consistent and achievable boundaries and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is effective and they are fully conversed in the daily routines and what their child has been doing. Regular verbal communication ensures they are aware of the service the childminder provides. The childminder shares all relevant information with parents and they have been informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

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 organisation is good. Most documentation is in place but there are improvements to be made. The childminder has recorded the names of the authorised persons collecting the minded children. Emergency contact numbers are kept at hand to call parents quickly. Documentation is stored away safely and out of reach to persons not authorised to see it. Relevant information is shared with parents and confidentiality maintained. Children's safety is addressed positively to ensure they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Adult - child ratios are maintained and children are fully supervised. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children in attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are able to reach toys and resources easily and safely, through good organisation and the use of child friendly storage units and boxes.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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): • obtain written parental permission for minded children to have supervised access to the family pets • ensure smoke alarms are fitted on both levels of the home • record the exact times of children's arrival and departure.

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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 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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