Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222161 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Emma Bright

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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 1984. She lives with her husband, in a village close to Ely. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children under 8, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local groups and the family has a dog.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted and they are protected from cross-infection by appropriate hygiene procedures. For example, children wash their hands after using the toilet. If children are unwell or need to take medication whilst in the care of the childminder, there are written records in place to make sure that appropriate care is given. Children benefit from the childminder's suitable knowledge and understanding of nutrition. Parents provide children with their own meals, which are suitably stored and they enjoy snacks of fresh fruit. They are provided with regular drinks so that they remain well hydrated throughout the day. Children's individual dietary requirements are recorded and this ensures that their nutritional needs are met. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and they benefit from exercise and fresh air on a daily basis as they walk to and from school, which contributes to

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Helping children to be healthy

their good health. Babies and toddlers can pull themselves to standing using the sturdy sitting room furniture, which encourages their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are supervised and can play safely in the childminder's home. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and she has minimised risks in the home to ensure children are safe. Children learn about how to keep safe as the childminder helps them to understand about the dangers, both indoors and outdoors. Children put toys away when they have finished with them, so that they have space to move around safely. Children play with a good range of suitable toys and resources, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are in good condition and safe. Children's general welfare is maintained by the required documents and procedures that promote their safety. For example, the childminder has appropriate written consent for local outings from parents. Children are kept safe from harm as they are cared for by suitable adults and the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, she does not have a copy of the local Area Child Protection Committee booklet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder's house. They confidently make

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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 themselves at home and form warm relationships with the childminder and each other, which contributes to their sense of belonging. Children enjoy a good range of activities and experiences. For example, they attend local groups, which provides children with many opportunities to socialise with others. Resources are organised so they are accessible and children explore them independently, making their own decisions and developing their own interests. Although children under three years enjoy a good range of activities, their choices could be further enhanced through improvements to planning, for example by using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. The childminder organises consistent daily routines for rest and play, which helps children feel settled and secure and they look forward to their day. Children benefit

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from the good support offered during their activities, which encourages them to develop their skills. For example, children's early communication skills are developed through the good interaction with the childminder, who responds positively to their talk as they discuss the pictures they can see in the puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are understood and met by the childminder, who gathers sufficient information from parents to ensure these needs are met. Children have access to a satisfactory range of activities and resources, which promotes diversity and enables children to learn about their differences and similarities. Children behave well and they understand what is expected of them through regular routines and clear expectations, which help them to feel secure. The childminder develops positive relationships with parents, which contributes to children's care and well-being and ensures their changing needs continue to be met. Children benefit from a sound settling-in procedure, which is adapted according to their needs, and the needs of the parents. All required documents are shared with parents and they are kept informed of their child's routines and progress on a daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

basis. However, the childminder has not yet responded to recent changes in regulations; she has not established a system to record any complaints or concerns that might be raised by parents in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's suitable organisation of time, space and resources and her knowledge of child development. Well-established routines and affectionate, caring support ensure children are comfortable and settled. Children's needs are met by good adult:child ratios; the children benefit from the individual care and attention offered by the childminder. All required documentation is in place and regularly updated to ensure children's safety and well-being. Records are shared with parents so they know what to expect

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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 and can be confident their children receive appropriate care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has updated her documentation so that an attendance register is now kept and this demonstrates how the registered numbers are maintained on daily basis. All records pertaining to medication are in place and contracts have been established so that both parties' expectations are set down in writing. This ensures that children's welfare is promoted. A satisfactory range of resources has been purchased so children have access to resources that reflect positive images of other cultures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 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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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 a copy of the local ACPC booklet 'Recognising signs of child abuse and what to do' • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure there is a system in place to record any complaints or concerns that parents might raise in the future.

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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:

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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 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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