Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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317139 Unique Reference Number 26 May 2006 Inspection date Valerie Block 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 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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult children who live away in term time. The ground floor and the lower ground floor are used for childminding. The bathroom and designated bathroom only are used on the lower ground floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under the age of five regularly throughout the week. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups. She is a member of the local National Childminding Association and is a childminder support worker. She regularly attends childminding groups.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day, weather permitting, there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and indoor play areas improve children’s physical skills. Children are also taken to the beach and other local nature spots for walks. Recently, children have enjoyed visiting a local lake to catch tadpoles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a very clean, warm home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder reminds children of the need to wash their hands after using the toilet and children begin to understand the reason for doing so, as the childminder explains the need to get rid of germs from their hands. The childminder ensures that children's health is protected as she ensures she has good information to help her do so. For example, she has printed off information from the internet to ensure that children are protected from infection when farms are visited.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder explains the importance of healthy eating to the children according to their understanding. She explains that sweet items in a lunch box are a treat and that the sandwich is healthy food that will make the child grow. Children help themselves to drinking water throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and children’s needs to provide nutritious food that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe home where risks are very well identified and minimised. The children learn about keeping themselves safe when using roads and in park areas as the childminder teaches them about the highway code and the danger posed by strangers. The childminder has taken appropriate steps to ensure children's safety when outside. For example, she ensures that her car is in good order and that children's seats are appropriate and fitted well. She gathers appropriate information from a variety of sources to ensure she has a very good understanding of safety both inside and outside the home, to ensure that children are very safe. For example, she has reference documents from the Child Accident Prevention Trust on a variety of topics including visits to public parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of clean, appropriate toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. 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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She has been on two child protection courses in the last year to ensure that she has a good understanding of the necessary procedures.

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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 good. Children are happy and well settled at the childminder's home. They make themselves at home and show affection for the childminder. On leaving, children hug the childminder when they say goodbye. Children become independent and enjoy new experiences and learning as they choose from a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has made a very good start in using the Birth to three matters framework. She has recently begun to use a tracker for children under the age of three which is shared with parents and shows the children's progression and development using the Birth to three matters framework. She also has recently attended relevant courses about this framework. The childminder has very recently attended training in working with the Early Learning Goals and is currently looking at putting this into practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become competent learners as the childminder provides a good range of activities that are suitable, well organised and well presented for all ages of children. The childminder's main topic for this month is the growth cycle. The children have collected tadpoles and are observing their changes. The childminder has thoroughly researched the subject and provides jigsaws and books which help the children to develop their knowledge of this animal and growth in general.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children begin to learn to communicate with others. The children wave goodbye and the childminder recognises this achievement and joins in the waving to the person leaving who joins in the communication.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very mindful of the individual needs and personalities of the children and recognises their need for quiet activities and sleep when they become tired. She understands their normal patterns and plans her day accordingly, therefore meeting children's needs. Children form warm relationships with the childminder that contribute to their sense of belonging and self-worth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about differences in society through the everyday discussions with the childminder and play opportunities on offer. They begin to learn about their community as the childminder takes them to local places of interest and on local walks. There are a range of resources that reinforce these issues, such as dolls and dressing up clothes. The childminder has been on a course regarding equal opportunities so is well placed to help children learn to respect and value differences. Children's individual needs are respected by the childminder and much effort is made to ensure that the parents' wishes are adhered to in order to meet the children's individual requirements. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are well met. The childminder is aware of the need to provide good care for children with special needs.

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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 begin to understand how to behave well as the childminder patiently explains the boundaries of socially acceptable behaviour. Children show care for one another that is reinforced by the childminder who praises the children for their thoughtfulness. The childminder understands that children can find it difficult to move from one activity or situation to another and is able to patiently manoeuvre children as necessary without causings a conflict situation to arise needlessly. Children's confidence and self-esteem is therefore encouraged. This helps the children to feel secure in their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the positive partnership that the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents' views about their children's needs are actively sought before the children start and thereafter on a regular basis. The childminder has a good system of recording very young children's individual development and this is regularly shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well looked after and are very well settled as the childminder receives a good amount of information from parents and regularly discusses their children's needs and progress with them. Young children benefit from the childminder having good methods of recording their development that are shared with parents. Records and procedures are kept well and are shared with parents to ensure that children are well cared for. The childminder has a lot of information about her service and general childhood issues for parents. This ensures that parents' needs are well met and that the children are well cared for.

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Organisation

The children feel at home and are at ease in a safe environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and are safe doing so. The childminder has organised the available space well to ensure that children are usually on the same floor within her sight or hearing so ensuring their safety and well-being. Children receive a good amount of attention from the childminder who has a small number of children attending her service. This ensures that children are happy and settled in her care. Children's safety is met by the childminder being mindful of the need to ensure children are supervised appropriately and that they are in the company of suitable persons.

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Organisation

The childminder's commitment to regular training and keeping up-to-date with current child care practices, through the use of the internet and periodicals, enhances the quality of care provided for the children. She has spent time becoming familiar with the Birth to three matters framework and has attended a course on this subject as well as recently attending training on working with the Early Learning Goals. All children benefit from her interest in continued learning.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues with regard to children with special needs. She has attended a

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Improvements 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 course on this subject and has implemented her learning in her practice. For example, she has bought small play figures that show positive images of people with disabilities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She also agreed to further her knowledge of child protection. She has attended two courses on this subject and has a robust understanding of child protection issues.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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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): • develop further the planning and provision of activities and play opportunities.

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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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