Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355315 Unique Reference Number 13 May 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 three and six years in Ely, Cambridgeshire. The whole ground floor 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 three children under five on a part-time basis, and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group with minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment where the childminder helps them to develop a good understanding of the importance of good hygiene. Each child is provided with their own hand towel which they use independently after washing their hands before they eat. The use of individual hand towels helps to prevent the risk of cross-infection between children.

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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 Appropriate systems are in place to record any medication administered or accidents, and the childminder holds a paediatric first aid qualification. However, the childminder does not record non-marking injuries and she has not obtained consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for each child. This effects children's health and welfare.

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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 have regular walks, play in the garden and visit the local parks. When using parks the childminder takes into account the children’s ages to ensure that the equipment is both age-appropriate and provides physical challenges. For example, when older children are in attendance they use parks with rock climbing walls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the health benefits of eating a varied, nutritious and balanced diet. For example, snacks mainly consist of fresh fruit and evening meals are freshly prepared and include spaghetti bolognaise and fish pie. In addition, children are encouraged to have plenty of fluids so they remain well-hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well-protected from abuse or neglect as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. For example, there is a system for recording existing injuries as routine and there is a written child protection policy, which is shared with parents. This policy contains information about making referrals and the contact numbers of the relevant agencies. In addition, the childminder has recently attended training in this area to update her knowledge and inform her practice. This all contributes towards protecting children from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. As they play in the garden the childminder teaches them to use the slide safely, reminding them to wait until other children have moved away before sliding down. In addition, the childminder talks to children about road and fire safety.

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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. The childminder effectively uses safety equipment such as sockets covers and cupboard locks to help prevent accidents. The good security in the garden and in the home means that children are protected from uninvited visitors and cannot leave the building unsupervised.

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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 lounge to allow the children to access them independently. These toys are rotated to offer variety and to maintain children’s interest.

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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 the children. As a result, they are happy, settled and secure in her care. They freely explore their environment and the resources on offer, spending their time fully engaged in purposeful play. For example, children develop their imagination as they play with shopping trolleys, play food and play hairdryers. As they remove the cushions from the childminder’s sofa they call out ‘oh, no look there’s pirates on the other boat’ before they sit down to eat

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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 pretend chips. Children also enjoy the opportunity to try dressing up in costumes pretending to be fairies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences, which help children learn in all areas of development. This includes construction, art and craft, cooking, books, puzzles and small world toys. For example, recent cooking activities have included making a malt loaf, flapjacks and cookies. Children's regularly attend visits to local music and messy play groups where they meet other children of a similar age and use a wider variety of play equipment. The childminder has recently started to evaluate the activities to see how she can provide activities which are based on children’s interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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, particularly children who attend who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, there are fewer systems in place to support children who speak English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they respond positively to the childminder's calm and consistent approach. From a young age, they learn to take turns as they play. The childminder uses a timer to help older children to take turns pushing a shopping trolley. After two minutes when the bell rings the children give the trolley to another child without needing a reminder from the childminder. This practice is helping children learn to negotiate their own play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder develops with their parents. She supplies them with written information about her provision and the policies which she adheres to. On a daily basis parents are kept informed about their child’s day through written letters and discussions at the start and end of each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a very caring childminder who is committed to increasing her knowledge to provide quality care for children. She previously worked as a nanny and since her registration she has attended a variety of short courses to improve her knowledge in areas such as using story sacks and child protection. In addition, she is currently studying for a Level 3 home-based childcare qualification. The childminder organises her home and the routine to each day well, in order to meet children’s individual needs and to provide them with a wide range of play opportunities. As a result, children are happy and have developed warm relationships with the childminder and her children.

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Organisation

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. However, not all records to support children’s good health are in place. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 complaint 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): • further develop strategies to support children who speak English as an additional language • obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure that records are kept of all accidents.

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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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