Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222016 Inspection date 02 February 2006 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 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 1992. She lives with her husband and 2 grown-up children in a village close to Cambridge. 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, or 8 children when minding with an assistant, at any one time. She is currently minding 5 children under 5, 3 of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group occasionally. The family has 1 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 good. Children's good health is promoted because the childminder has an effective approach to health and hygiene; she reduces the risk of cross-infection by ensuring that her home is clean and well maintained. Children learn about the importance of staying healthy through the childminder's support and guidance, for example they wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Clear procedures and records are in place to ensure that appropriate medical care is given if children are unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder and this ensures that children's individual needs are met. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder has a very good understanding of nutrition. Children are well nourished and enjoy healthy snacks provided by the childminder. Children know about healthy eating as the childminder involves them in activities that help them learn about food that is good for them. For

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Helping children to be healthy

example, children grow vegetables in the garden and help the childminder to prepare them for meals. Children have free access to regular drinks, particularly water so that they remain well hydrated. Babies' individual routines are followed and they are fed according to parents' wishes, so that they are well nourished. All children learn to lead a healthy lifestyle; they enjoy regular exercise, such as outings to the local park, playing in the garden and music sessions indoors. Children are beginning to learn how exercise contributes to their good health and they benefit from the fresh air on their daily walks. The childminder has developed good routines so that all children can sleep when they need to and this ensures that they are well rested.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe home where risks are identified and minimised and this means children can move around freely in safety. Children are well supervised at all times, which means they safely develop their independence in a secure environment. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains about the dangers, both indoors and on outings. Children's safety in case of fire is priority. For example, smoke alarms are frequently checked to ensure they are in good working order and a written emergency escape plan is in place, which children practise regularly so that they know what to do in an emergency. Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and resources, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. The good organisation of toys and activities means that children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

can follow their own interests and develop their play.

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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 All required documents and procedures are in place and are well maintained to safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder has appropriate consent for outings from parents. Although information is shared with parents, there is no child protection policy to ensure parents are clear about the childminder's duty to protect children. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, which are in line with those set out by the local Area Child Protection Committee. This means that children are protected and kept safe from harm.

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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 themselves at home and form warm relationships with the childminder, her assistant and each other, which contributes to their sense of belonging. Children enjoy a good range of activities and experiences. For example, they walk to the local park to feed the ducks and join in with activities at the local pre-school, which gives children very good opportunities to explore their environment. Children are developing their confidence and independence in the childminder's care; they busy themselves, becoming absorbed in their self-chosen activities, because resources are well organised so that they are easily accessible. The childminder organises consistent daily routines for rest and play, which helps children feel settled and secure. Children benefit from the good support and sensitive interaction offered during their activities, which promotes their self-esteem and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourages them to develop their skills. For example, young children's language development is supported very well as the childminder and her assistant model good language and praise their efforts, as they try out new words. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and uses the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework as a reference tool to help children develop and make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are understood by the childminder, who gathers good information from parents to ensure these needs are well met. Children play with a good range of activities and resources, which promote a positive view of the wider world and this helps them to learn about their differences and similarities. Children behave well and learn what is expected of them through regular routines and consistent expectations. For example, they always sit down to eat meals and they help to tidy away their toys. The childminder explains what she expects them to do in a way that they can understand and listens to their views so that they feel respected. Children play happily together, sharing and taking turns because the childminder and her assistant offer good support to help them to understand how their behaviour affects others.

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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 benefit from the positive, professional relationships between the childminder and their parents, which contributes to their care and well-being, ensuring their changing needs continue to be met. Parents know about the childminder's practice as good written information is shared with them; a range of policies and procedures are in place to share with parents and carers. Children benefit from a good settling-in procedure, which helps them to make the transition between home and the childminder's home. Parents are kept very well informed of their child's routines and progress on a daily basis and this ensures that children's care and well-being is assured.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced as the childminder has a sound and secure knowledge of child development. She is qualified and experienced in childcare, which enables her to provide good quality care. Children benefit from the good organisation of time, space and resources, which contributes to children’s independence and enables them to develop their skills. Well-established routines and affectionate, caring support ensure children are comfortable and settled. Children's needs are met by very good adult–child ratios; the children benefit from the individual care and attention offered by the childminder and her assistant. All essential documentation is in place and stored confidentially. It is also regularly updated to ensure children's safety and well-being. The written policies and procedures are shared with parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and can be confident their children receive appropriate care. Overall,

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved communication with parents by developing written information to share with them. This ensures parents are informed of the childminder's practice and they know about her policies and procedures, which promotes their children's care and well-being.

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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

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 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): • devise a child protection policy to share with parents.

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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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