Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 14 Jun 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311474 Inspection date 14 June 2006 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder and their 13 year old child, they live in Fleetwood. The home is close to the park, schools and shops. Minded children have access to whole of the ground floor of the house, which includes the back lounge, the front lounge, kitchen and the dining area. Toilet facilities are located on the first floor. The two bedrooms on the first floor are available for children's sleep. Children have access to fully enclosed outdoor area.

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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 There are currently eight children on roll, all under the age of eight, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the local childminder’s network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The children's health is promoted because the childminder has an understanding of simple hygiene practices. This ensures children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, such as washing their hands after being in the garden. The children have regular opportunities to exercise their growing bodies through outdoor play and frequent outings to the Marine Park, activity centre, and walks. They enjoy outdoor play which gives opportunities to promote their physical development. The children’s well-being is not maintained because there is no consent for medication administered which a mandatory requirement. There is also no consent for emergency medical treatment. The children's dietary needs are met because the childminder has an understanding of how to provide children with a balanced diet. She demonstrates knowledge and

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness of children’s likes and dislikes and provides meals in accordance with parents' wishes. Children are encouraged to sit together and feed themselves. This helps promote independence and creates a sociable time for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is made warm and welcoming for children, which provides them with a sense of belonging. The lounge-cum-playroom and the front lounge allow children to move about freely and safely as they explore their surroundings. Children access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a safe home environment. Children's safety is promoted because toys are well organised in boxes at their level and they are able to access these freely. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by discussing the need to hold hands when outside and not to stand too near the kerb. She further promotes safety when children are on outings by using appropriate restraints. Appropriate documentation is place for taking children on outings. The children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder being conscious of hazards and by putting safety features in place. However, the fire evacuation

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedure is not practised and therefore children do not have an understanding for this aspect of safety. The childminder has a working knowledge of child protection, for example, signs and symptoms of abuse. She also understands how to report a concern using the child protection procedures. However, the childminder is not fully aware of what to do if an allegation is made about her or a member of her family. Therefore, children’s welfare

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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 is not fully safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children experience some activities that contribute to their development outside of the home, such as walks, visits to the park, and shopping. They socialise in-group activities, such as visits to social groups, and this provides children with different play environments and opportunities to develop social skills. They are provided with a range of resources from which they can self-select and make decisions about their play. The children are independent as they choose from a variety of stimulating and exciting toys, books, and activities. For example, children made spiders, using different coloured paper. The childminder use questioning techniques to check out children's mathematical thinking and learning. She asks how many legs and eyes does the spider have. The children are very proud of their achievements and eager to share their success with others. This promotes their creativity, development, and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoyment. As a result they become confident to extend their knowledge in a creative and meaningful way. Young children and infants are stimulated through a range of activities, including musical interactive toys as well as physical activities, such as dancing. This promotes imaginative opportunity for infants to explore sound and movements. The infants form strong bonds, which promotes their emotional well-being and contributes to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient opportunity to learn and develop an awareness of the diverse culture in which they live, because the childminder has some resources to reflect diversity. The children's behaviour is managed by providing them with lots of praise for their achievements, which promotes their self-esteem. The childminder is teaching the children to begin to show concern for each other and to share. For example, one child took some building blocks of another child and the childminder talked to the child and explained why it was not nice and to share. Consequently their understanding of other people’s feelings and needs are developed as they learn to share and to be kind. Daily informal discussions keep the childminder up to date with the children’s routines and any changes that may have occurred.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The organisation of the setting is appropriate, with room for children to move freely and self-select resources. The childminder has developed a routine based on the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 needs of the children. As a result children present as comfortable and relaxed, gaining enjoyment from the activities provided. The childminder has links with other childminders, which promotes children's social needs. The childminder has almost all regulatory documentation in place, which is maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted, aided by some written policies and procedures. However, the attendance register indicates, there are eight children who attend at any one time, which means that she is in breach of the requirements of registration and this puts children at risk. As a result, overall, the provision does not meet the needs of all children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure children's health needs are fully met by obtaining parental consents for administering medication and the seeking of emergency advice and treatment • ensure that registration conditions relating to numbers of children are adhered to at all times. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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 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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