Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 222978 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Susan Patricia Foulger

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18 months, 7 and 10 years in Cambridge. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children under 8 years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding and other under fives groups. The family has a cat, a rabbit, fish and a hamster.

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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 The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and belongs to the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment where their health is protected by comprehensive hygiene routines. The children learn from the childminder's good practise as she washes her own hands regularly, for example, when changing babies nappies or preparing food. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children to provide nutritious snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. Children begin to understand the importance of a healthy diet. Children develop their physical skills in a wide range of activities and their physical development is aided as they experience fresh air on a daily basis. The children's well being is protected overall as documentation and permissions in relation to the administration of medication, sick children and the recording of accidents are all in place. The childminder uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to

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Helping children to be healthy

enable younger children to enjoy an appropriate range of play experiences. Babies and toddlers are able to sleep, rest and eat 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 good. Children are protected by the childminder's awareness of hazards both inside and outside the home. They are able to move around safely, freely and independently. In relation to fire safety, good fire detection and control equipment is available, there is a written policy to keep children safe and an emergency procedures plan in place. However, children do not practice fire drills on a regular basis and the childminder does not have an evacuation plan in place if there is an incident during the night. This compromises the safety of children minded overnight. Children independently select activities from a wide range of very good quality toys and equipment which are safe and in good condition. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Procedures and documents are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and

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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 has a secure understanding of child protection practice in line with the local procedures. She has a written policy in place which is shared with parents and she has completed three short courses to further enhance her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children's needs are very well met because the childminder provides an excellent range of toys and activities to stimulate and challenge them. All children have their individual needs met and are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because childminder plans and provides activities and play opportunities that help them achieve in all areas. Children have very good relationships with the childminder, they are warm and affectionate together which contributes to children’s sense of belonging. Children move around confidently and are able to select toys and games which interest them. The children's independence is encouraged through the daily routine such as toileting. Children's language development is very well fostered as the childminder plans activities that enable younger children to be a member of other social groups where they mix with older children; she models good language and gives children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities and time to use their language skills. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance meaningful activities for babies. Children are confident, settled and secure in her care. Babies and toddlers enjoy playing together and are interested in activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children have equal opportunity to access activities and resources that meet their needs, so that they become confident and independent. They benefit from individual attention and their individuality is recognised so that their self esteem is fostered well. The childminder is making progress in collecting resources reflecting diversity so that children are able to increase their understanding of others different to themselves. There are no children with special needs attending, but the childminder feels confident that with the training that she has undertaken, she would be willing to meet a child's needs and settle them well alongside the other children. Children behave well because the childminder uses a consistent approach and positive methods to promote good behaviour. Boundaries are clear, children understand the rules and learn to respect the needs of others. They are helped to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

share, take turns and play together harmoniously. The strong partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's happiness. Excellent written references from parents demonstrates their high regard

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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 for the childminder's practice and her skills in promoting all aspects of their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the setting ensures that children are well cared for. The childminder is experienced and qualified to meet the needs of all the children. Policies and procedures protect children and are effectively implemented to promote excellent outcomes for children. The childminder is pro-active in ensuring that her practice contributes positively to children’s good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. Children are happy and secure. The play space is attractive to children both inside and outside the setting allowing them opportunities to develop and enjoy their skills. Easily accessible resources help to promote the children's confidence and self esteem. Clear records are in place to help to ensure that children’s individual needs are met effectively. The childminder regularly videos the children at play and gives the parents their own copies so that they can see the progress their children are making

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Organisation

and the fun they are having. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis and uses daily diaries to share information with them. This contributes to the continuity of care so that children feel secure and valued as individuals. The childminder is a member of a local childminding network and attends regular support meetings with other childminders. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make the drain in her garden inaccessible to children. This has been done.

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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 good. The registered person meets the

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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 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): • practise the fire drill on a regular basis • devise a night time emergency evacuation plan.

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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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