Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350873 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2008 Inspection date Heidi Falconer Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years, in Lower Cambourne, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day, and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups with minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean environment where the childminder helps them to develop a good understanding of the importance of effective hygiene routines. For example, children learn good routines for hand washing, which helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children receive appropriate care if they become ill or have an accident whilst in the childminder’s care.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 All accidents and any medication administered are recorded accurately and shared with parents. However, parents do not always sign these records. In addition, the childminder seeks consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for each child and she holds an up-to-date paediatric first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from eating nutritious and freshly prepared snacks and meals, which they enjoy. For example, as part of their snack on the day of the inspection the children went to the garden and picked some carrots which they had grown. The childminder ensures that children’s drinks are readily available to them at all times. This allows them to respond to their bodies needs, ensuring that they do not become dehydrated. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she can cater for any special dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily fresh air and outdoor play which helps them to be fit and healthy. They free-flow from the conservatory into the garden as they evidently enjoy outdoor play. Outside the children laugh and giggle as they roll down the sloping garden They use a good range of outdoor play resources which help to promote their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected from abuse or neglect as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. She is fully aware of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and she understands the procedures to follow if concerns arise. Parents are made aware of the childminder's duty to report concerns through her written child protection summary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, as they ride home from school on their scooters the childminder gives them clear boundaries such as remaining within her sight, and stopping before they get to the road. In addition, the childminder carries out her fire evacuation procedure with the children each term.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where potential hazards are identified and minimised. For example, the childminder successfully uses safety equipment such as sockets covers and cupboard locks to help prevent accidents. In addition, on outings the childminder carries an emergency first aid kit which contains items such as a space blanket and a poncho.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a broad range of toys and resources to choose from, which are all in good condition and suitable for their ages and stages of development. The majority of these are stored in the conservatory on secure open shelving. Individual toy boxes are clearly labelled so that children know what is contained within them. As a result, they are able to make choices and access resources independently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have warm relationships with the childminder, who is patient and caring in her interaction with them. For example, at the inspection children chatted happily to the childminder and were confident to ask for help to dress a small ‘Mickey Mouse’ figure. As a result, they are happy, settled and secure in her care. The childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences which help children learn in all areas of development. For example, they regularly meet up with other minded children and attend a variety of play groups in the area. This

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 broadens children’s experiences and gives them opportunities to mix and socialise with children of a similar age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely explore the resources on offer and spend their time fully engaged in purposeful play. For example, after selecting ‘pom-poms’ from a box in the conservatory the children danced around shaking them and announced that they were putting on a ‘show’. During school holiday periods the childminder takes children on various outings. For example, they have recently visited the beach at Hunstanton and a butterfly centre where they made badges and drew pictures. The childminder has recently started to observe and record children’s progress which she intends to use to plan activities to extend their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good continuity of care for all children is maintained through the effective partnership that the childminder establishes with their parents. They are supplied with written information about the provision and the policies which the childminder adheres to. Parents’ are kept informed about their child’s activities through discussions at the start and end of each day. Written references from parents demonstrate their high regard for the care that their children receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable procedures are in place to support children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder has experience of caring for children with specific needs and she understands how she can adapt activities so that all children can take an equal part. Children are respected as individuals. The childminder gets to know each child through ongoing discussions with their parents and the written information that she obtains before they start. This allows her to cater for their needs effectively. Children learn about different cultural celebrations around the world through activities and discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and their self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the positive praise and encouragement that they receive from the childminder. For example, as children make ‘seahorse fish’ from collage materials the childminder praises their efforts. Children work well together and demonstrate the need to share as they take turns using glue sticks.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who has a secure knowledge of child development, which she gained whilst working as a teacher. Since becoming registered the childminder has completed the required training in childminding practice and paediatric first aid. In addition, she attends short courses to develop her knowledge further. For example, she holds a food hygiene certificate and has recently attended training on the new Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by a caring and enthusiastic childminder who creates a home from home environment. As a result, children are settled and confidently move around the well-organised environment selecting resources for themselves. Children’s care is effectively supported through the childminder’s use of documentation. Daily attendance is appropriately recorded and the childminder displays her registration certificate prominently in her home for parents to see. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that all accident records are signed by parents • continue to observe children's progress and plan activities which help them to develop their skills.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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