England Susan Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222691 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Pamela Abram

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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 lives with her husband and four sons in the village of Sawtry, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The house is within walking distance of the primary school, shops, pre-school activities, library, park areas and village walks. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat and rabbit. The childminder has been registered for eight years. She can accept up to four children at any one time and currently has six children on roll.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminders Association, and has regular contact with other local childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care within the daily routines, for example by being reminded to wash hands after doing messy activities or after using the toilet and before eating to prevent the risk of infection. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder takes account of parent’s wishes and the children’s choices to provide a variety of meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. Children have some opportunities to develop independence in meeting their own needs, for example by helping the childminder to get drinks. Children enjoy physical exercise indoors, in the garden and during walks and outings. This helps them to develop a healthy lifestyle and promotes their health and physical development. The childminder uses her experience and awareness of the Birth to

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Helping children to be healthy

Three Matters framework to enable younger children to participate in a range of physical play experiences. Babies and toddlers are able to sleep, eat, rest and sleep to suit their individual needs because the childminder takes account of their changing needs and home routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children independently select some items for their own use from a range of toys, games, books and resources which are safe and well maintained. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are used appropriately and meet their stage of development. The childminder has all the required necessary procedures and documents in place to help her ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has an understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures. Children are able to move around the premises safely, freely and independently because the childminder identifies and minimises risks in the home, but, some items in the garden pose a risk to children's safety. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety outside the home, for instance by reminding them not to run indoors and to follow simple rules when going out on visits to the park.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s personal, social, emotional and intellectual needs are fostered appropriately because the childminder has a sound understanding of how children develop. Children can initiate their own activities and develop independence because the childminder organises the space and equipment so that children can select some items for their own use. They are settled and feel at home in the setting. Younger children and have opportunities to try new experiences and widen their social circle when they meet with other childminders and children in the area. Older children appreciate having a time to relax at the end of the school day and also enjoy energetic, outdoor activities, such as playing basket ball in the garden and the childminder respects their personal preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well in response to the consistent, positive methods that the childminder uses to help children of all ages understand the rules as they learn to respect the needs of others, how to share, take turns and play together harmoniously. Children are valued and respected as individuals and those who are under 3 particularly benefit from routines which are consistent with their experiences at home because the childminder uses regular discussion with parents to ensure that she has up-to-date information to help her meet their needs appropriately. Children learn about their local community on daily walks to and from school and around the village. They talk about the wider world sometimes in informal situations, such as talking about events and celebrations that take place at school.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have appropriate levels of support to help them feel welcome, comfortable and at ease as they play because the childminder uses her experience to create an environment where children have the necessary space and resources to do so. The childminder maintains and uses appropriate forms of record keeping and has procedures in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She talks to parents regularly to give them information about their child's care and the activities they engage in. This contributes to the continuity of children’s care so that they feel secure. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children in her care.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken steps to keep children safe by making the front door more secure. She has also promoted equal opportunities by obtaining some resources, such as dolls, to present children with positive images of diversity. The childminder has improved her record keeping systems by obtaining an accident book and now ensures that parents are informed of any incidents relating to their children. She has also displayed the details of how to contact Ofsted for parents to see. These measures ensure that children are cared for in accordance with parents wishes, that parents are well informed of their children's care and are able to seek advice or make comments to the registering authority should they wish to.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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): • make sure that potentially hazardous items in the garden, such as ladders, are made inaccessible to the children

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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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