Connor, Mrs Jacqueline

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222029 Inspection date 17 October 2005 Inspector Lorraine Hunt

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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 1989. She lives with her husband in a large village to the north of Cambridge. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The garden has a large pond in it so is not used for childminding but full use is made of the local park, and the village green which is adjacent to the back garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children under 5 on a part-time basis and 3 children between the ages of 5 and 8 before and after school. She also provides care for

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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 several children over 8. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children and regularly attends a variety of local toddler activity groups. The family has no pets. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is involved with the local childminder group and is a member of an accredited childminding network. She has recently completed the National Childminding Association's (NCMA) Quality First assurance scheme, is a member of the NCMA and acts as a "buddy" to newly registered childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where well established hygiene routines, backed up by picture prompts in the bathroom, help them to learn about the importance of washing their hands before meals and after using the lavatory. Children's health is well promoted because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has appropriate written parental consents and maintains necessary accident and medication record keeping systems. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, which contributes to their good health. They visit the local park and village green to develop their physical skills and benefit from exercise and fresh air on a daily basis. School holiday outings to places such Wandlebury and local soft play facilities give children additional opportunities to enjoy large physical play. Children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of

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Helping children to be healthy

childhood nutrition. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables, and their individual dietary needs are well met. The childminder has clear information on children's dietary requirements which are discussed regularly with parents. Young children are content and well rested because the childminder offers flexible care which ensures that they are able to eat and sleep to suit their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well supervised at all times, which means that they safely develop their independence in a secure environment. They learn to understand about keeping themselves safe through simple safety rules, indoors and when on outings, and through taking part in regular fire drills. Their work is prominently displayed making the children feel valued, which gives them a sense of belonging. Children have use of an extensive range of good quality, developmentally appropriate toys, equipment and resources which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are in good condition and safe for them to use.

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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 are well protected because the childminder has all the required documents and procedures in place to promote their safety and welfare. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the childminder's home. They form warm, affectionate relationships with the childminder and enjoy their time with her. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development which enables her to provide a varied and stimulating range of activities which help them to make progress. She offers them good support during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, children's early communication skills develop through the good quality and sensitive interaction with the childminder, who responds positively to their talk. Younger children enjoy snuggling in for stories, making music and have many sensory messy play experiences. Older children particularly enjoy a range of art and craft activities. Children under five are able to develop their social skills because the childminder makes good use of local community groups to extend their range of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's thorough knowledge of their individual needs enables her to provide them with appropriate care. A meaningful range of activities and resources, including use of loaned resources such as the "pack on the back" rucksacks, helps children understand their similarities and differences and promotes a positive view of the wider world. Children learn to behave well and understand what is expected of them through consistent expectations and regular routines such as always sitting at the table for meals and snacks. They develop self-esteem, respect for one another and a sense of belonging as they agree their own shared "rules" for behaviour and play, contribute ideas as to holiday activities and make wall displays and power point presentations which highlight positive points about one another. The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children's care and well-being. Feedback from parents demonstrates their high regard for the childminder's practice and her skills in caring exceptionally well for their children. The childminder gathers and shares all necessary information with parents, including a daily diary for each child so that parents are well informed of their child's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care, well-being and development is greatly enhanced.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder’s good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards, her wide experience of working with children and the training she has undertaken to enhance her practice. Children are comfortable, happy and at ease with the childminder and in the home environment. This means that they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. All necessary records and procedures are in place to ensure that appropriate care is given and individual needs are met, although attendance recording needs further review. The childminder has developed her own portfolio of information and policies which she shares with new parents which informs them about her practice and her responsibilities as a registered childminder. She talks to parents on a daily basis to keep them well informed about the care provided and their child's activities. This contributes to the continuity of children's care so that they feel secure. Overall, the

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Organisation

childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that the numbers of children being cared for complied with the conditions on the registration certificate and that the attendance register reflected this. She also agreed to ensure that Ofsted were notified of all significant events or changes. The childminder ensures that she always minds within the conditions of her registration and is mindful of the need to notify Ofsted of any significant event or change. Although children's attendance is recorded, the records do not sufficiently detail the times of attendance of school age children.

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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 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

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): • continue to develop knowledge and understanding of how to support children in their earliest years through use of the "Birth to Three Matters" framework • ensure that the attendance register clearly shows the actual times that children are being cared for.

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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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