Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 317234 Inspection date 20/02/2007 Inspector Valerie Block

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Type of inspection Care Type of care Childminding

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Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be freely reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided the source and date of publication are stated.

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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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

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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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The provider must give a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must give a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Day Care and Childminding (inspection) (England) Regulations 2005 No 2300 Regulations 5 and 6).

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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 1996. She works with her husband who is a registered childminder. They live in Wigton, Cumbria with their two sons aged 16 and 13. All of the house apart from the family bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with her co-minder every day throughout the week. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. When minding with her co-worker they may care for a maximum of 10 children. Currently, they are caring for 15 children between them. One child attends on a full-time basis. The others attend for part of the week at variable times. The childminder is responsible for the activity planning and for document keeping. Apart from this, the two childminders work equally together.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local children's groups. The family has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They enjoy a satisfactory range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day, weather permitting, there are outdoor walks or time playing in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder plans a varied nutritional diet for children taking into account their dietary needs and parents' wishes. Their needs for a healthy diet are therefore satisfactorily met. Children enjoy sitting together around the kitchen table having a drink and some crisps in the morning. Parents have provided the snack of crisps. The childminder is preparing chicken and pasta for lunch and a snack of fruit for the afternoon. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are soundly met by the childminder who understands their individual medical needs, as she has received parental information about the children. She has good procedures in place to ensure that children's health is protected from cross-infection. She wears gloves to change children's nappies and ensures that the changing mat is cleansed well after each child's use. Children begin to understand about keeping themselves healthy as she encourages the children to wash their hands after using the toilet. She explains this is to get rid of germs that would make them feel unwell. Small children's emotional health is nurtured as babies are fondly held when receiving their bottles of milk. Babies are content and well-settled.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in a welcoming, bright home where risks are appropriately identified and minimised. Children enjoy the use of a designated playroom where children can sit at a comfortable settee to watch the television and in child-sized chairs around a small table doing crafts and table top activities. The children learn about keeping themselves safe as they are reminded to clear away toys on the floor to prevent someone tripping over.

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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. Children benefit from a good amount of good quality equipment for the care of children such as cots and highchairs.

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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 satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is kind and playful with the children who relate well to her. They are well settled in her care. She plans the daily activities satisfactorily to ensure that children have a range of learning opportunities. She has a daily routine for children that involves some free playtime where children can enjoy choosing play equipment in the playroom as well as some more structured play events. Today, the children enjoy playing with small plastic teddies and arrange them into colour groups and size groups. The children enjoy this activity and the childminder praises their achievements. Throughout the week the childminder takes them for walks in the community and to children's groups where children begin to learn about being part of their community. Children benefit from regular exercise and fresh air when they play outside in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is in the early stages of using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She is well tuned-in to the needs of young children and recognises their need for quiet activities and sleeps, when they become tired. She understands their normal patterns and plans her day around them, 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 childminder provides a meaningful, satisfactory range of resources including books and small figures to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are introduced to their local environment through regular visits and walks in their community. The childminders talk to the children about igloos and eskimos at Christmas time and so relate their own experience to learning about others' ways of life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very aware of the children's development and together with her childminder colleague discusses their individual needs carefully with parents to ensure that their children are happy and well-cared-for. She has developed charts for children under the age of two to track their developmental goals and so is able to identify any area for concern to discuss with parents. Children are known and valued as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well. The childminder has a good behaviour policy that includes the rules of the house that area given to parents and discussed with children according to their understanding. Children begin to show care and concern for one another as they negotiate over favourite toys. The childminders provide a good model of behaviour to the children as they work well together and are very polite to one another and the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder having a positive relationship with parents. She has devised a number of records to help communicate efficiently with parents. Parents benefit from receipt of a written daily diary, and are shown a regularly completed development record for children under the age of two. They also are given a newsletter that the childminder has written on a regular basis. They all receive an information sheet about the setting as well as their own set of comprehensive policies. The childminder has kept letters and cards from happy parents that show a good level of satisfaction with the setting.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for as there are good systems in place to ensure that their care needs are known as well as the wishes of parents. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate records and ensures that parents are communicated with regularly.

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Organisation

The children feel at home and are at ease with their very safe and suitable environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has organised the available space well to ensure that children are usually on the ground floor and within her sight or hearing to ensure their safety and well-being. Children enjoy very good access to play equipment and use of a designated playroom, with very suitable furniture to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

Children receive a good amount of attention from the childminder who ensures that all children are well attended to. This ensures that children are happy and settled in her care.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder ensuring that she has information useful to her childminding service. For example, she has recently attended a refresher first aid course and is currently attending an early years course. All children benefit from her interest in continued learning.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to extend the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has extended the range of play equipment and activities to promote children's leaning about differences in society and so children learn about diversity.

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Complaints about the childcare provision

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):  improve outcomes for children under three by implementing an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

procedures 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 2473) which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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