Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304503 Inspection date 16 November 2005 Inspector Clare Elizabeth Pook

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 3 years, 6 years and 8 years in a small village close to Huntingdon. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and occasionally upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder on occasions works with an assistant. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder group takes children to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for 4 at any one time and is currently minding 9

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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 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are being cared for in a clean environment where the childminder practices good hygiene routines, which minimise the spread of infection and she encourages children to do the same. As a result the children have good personal hygiene skills. Children wash hands before making bread, having snacks and at lunchtime. The children understand the importance of washing their hands and talk about washing the germs off. Good written records are maintained to ensure children's individual medical and dietary needs are met, although written permission has not been obtained from parents with regard to seeking emergency medical treatment. The childminder's secure knowledge of appropriate first aid treatment ensures children receive good care and attention. Children have good opportunities to understand the benefits of having a healthy diet. They are well nourished and actively encouraged to make healthy choices at meal

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Helping children to be healthy

times. Children are encouraged to eat the savoury foods first. Main meals are home cooked and include fresh vegetables. Children enjoy healthy snacks, which include a variety of fresh fruits, and have access to regular drinks according to their individual needs. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and parental wishes regarding meals. Children are learning about the importance of keeping the body healthy and fit through daily walks to school, visits to the local park and time playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. The premises is safe, secure, warm and welcoming for children to play in. The childminder has taken positive steps to minimise risks to children in her home to keep them safe, by appropriate use of safety gates, socket covers, cupboard locks. The childminder ensures that older children play in a different area with Lego so that the younger children do not swallow it. The toys and equipment used by the children are suitable and safe and checked regularly. The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children's awareness of road safety issues is promoted during walks to and from school around the local area. For example, children learn how to keep themselves safe by listening

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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 and watching carefully for traffic. The childminder is very aware of her duty to child protection and informs parents of this. Although she does not have a copy of the Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures she has a clear understanding of what to do if she had concerns for a child, therefore ensuring that children's welfare is put first.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. They enjoy participating in a stimulating range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Children enjoy making bread smiling and giggling when their fingers get sticky from the dough. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children when playing 'buzz off' and when sitting together at the table at meal times. Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a range of toys and play equipment. They receive good support during play activities and the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction. Children are confident and their self-esteem is promoted through praise and encouragement when playing and completing tasks. The children are well mannered and behave well. The childminder sets clear boundaries and gives simple

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

explanations so that children understand what is expected of them. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children under 3 years and ensures they are included in activities. She has been pro-active in finding out about Birth to three matters and intends to implement the strategies within her child minding practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Consequently, children feel confident and settled in the childminder's care. Children learn about diversity and the wider community through discussion and access to books which reflect positive images and different languages such as French. Some of the children that attend have parents from other nationalities. Their home life is talked about and shared with the other children. Children self-esteem, sense of belonging and respect for others is fostered well. Children have made booklets containing pictures and descriptions about themselves including details of their likes and dislikes and their family. The childminder has a good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. She is calm and positive with the children, using lots of praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children share resources and take turns to add ingredients when making bread. Children benefit from having consistent boundaries which enable them to negotiate with others and begin to take responsibility for their actions. Children's welfare is further promoted by the secure relationships the childminder has with the parents. Information about the children's day is exchanged with parents either verbally or in a daily diary for pre-school children. Information regarding the children's individual needs, likes, allergies, religious preferences are gained from parents on beginning their placement and is recorded on the children's information sheets. The childminder ensures meetings with parents and a settling in period for new children before minding on a permanent basis. This helps children to feel secure

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in their environment and content in the childminder's home.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time and space effectively to ensure that the needs of all children are met. The toys are easily accessible by the children developing independence skills and encouraging decision making by making their own choices about what they do. Children's individual routines are respected for meals and rests and the childminder ensures that the day includes a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors. The childminder works with an assistant on occasions, usually for school runs. Parents are aware of this and have verbally agreed to allow the assistant to be left in sole charge, however written permission from parents is not in place. The childminder has completed her Introduction to child minding course and is about to do the second level as a home based study. Documentation is well-organised and held securely, ensuring confidentiality for children and parents. All necessary documentation is in place and is shared with

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Organisation

parents, apart from those detailed in the report. Children benefit from information being shared on a daily basis between the childminder and parents, ensuring their individual needs are met. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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): • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • obtain the Local area Child Protection committee procedure booklet • obtain written parental permission to allow the assistant to be left in sole charge of their 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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