Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349257 Unique Reference Number 31 July 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 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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and four years in a village close to Ely, 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 one child under five on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local music groups with minded children. The family has a dog as a pet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where their good health is generally well promoted. In the main they are well cared for if they become ill or have an accident at the setting. The childminder has a system in place to record all accidents and she holds a paediatric first aid qualification. However, consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place for each child, which could delay them receiving urgent medical treatment. In addition,

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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 the childminder does not always obtain written permission before administering medication to children. This compromises their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have suitable opportunities to be physically active and to enjoy the fresh air. For example, in the garden they use resources such as a trampoline, swing, bikes and ride-in cars which contribute to the developing their physical skills. In addition, each day the children go out for walks with the childminder. Sturdy furniture in the sitting room enables babies to pull themselves to standing so that they can develop the muscles they need to learn to walk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished. The childminder ensures that the snacks and meals which are supplied by their parents and carers are stored in the fridge and given to the children at appropriate intervals. Information is collected about children's allergies or other special dietary needs in order to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a secure home where most potential hazards have been minimised. For example, locks have been fitted to cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom to ensure that potentially dangerous items are not accessible to them. However, some hazards such as the dog’s bucket of drinking water and the fire place hearth still pose a risk to children. Children use a suitable range of safe and stimulating toys and equipment. These are mostly organised on some shelving in the corner of the lounge which allows children to make choices and follow their own interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected as the childminder has a generally sound understanding of her duty to protect children in her care. She has a satisfactory understanding of the signs of child abuse and is aware of her responsibility to make a referral if concerns arose. However, although the childminder has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, she is unsure where she keeps them. This could limit her ability to respond quickly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled at the childminder’s house and form secure relationships with her. For example, when young children are tired or have their milk, they enjoy the comfort and cuddles they receive from the childminder. As young babies babble the childminder sensitively reinforces their attempts to make conversations, smiling and nodding at their responses to her comments. As a result, the children are developing an impulse to communicate and are able to covey when they want things.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from opportunities to mix and socialise with of children of a similar age. Each week they attend a variety of music groups with the childminder where they enjoy using musical instruments and copying action songs. The childminder provides a range of suitable toys and activities, which are placed within the reach of babies and toddlers to stimulate their interest and encourage them to investigate. For example, during warm weather the childminder sets out a range of resources for the children on a picnic rug in the garden.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are met as the childminder gathers suitable information from parents before children start. For example, young children's individual routines for sleeping and feeding follow in line with their home routines. Children have some opportunities to learn about other cultures and lifestyles. For example, they have access to resources such as dolls and books which show positive images of diversity. The childminder has a suitable understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and therefore would be able to provide them with appropriate care. To promote positive behaviour the childminder uses a sound range of behaviour management techniques. For example, she uses distraction, with babies and toddlers, as a way of engaging the children in more appropriate play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly relationships and the regular discussions that the childminder has with their parents at the end of each day. The childminder has written agreements in place and obtains most of the required written consents from parents. For example, she gains consent for taking children in the car and on outings. These procedures help to ensure that children receive care in accordance to their parents’ wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Since registration the childminder has completed the required courses in paediatric first aid and home based childcare. The knowledge that she has gained from these has given her a satisfactory understanding of the National Standards and the requirements within them.

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Organisation

Most of the required documents and records are in place, which helps the childminder to promote the welfare, safety, care and learning of children. However, not all required written consents are in place and documents are not well organised. This makes them difficult to find in the event of an emergency. The childminder displays her certificate of registration to ensure that all parents are aware of her conditions of registration. A range of written policies and statements are in place and shared with parents. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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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Complaints 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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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 permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for each child and before administering any medication • ensure that appropriate action is taken to minimise all potential hazards to children • ensure that all documents are easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

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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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