Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY314556 Inspection date 05 June 2006 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

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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 satisfactory. 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 January 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 16 and seven years. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with the bathroom situated on the first floor. There is a decking area outside for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged under five years. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain healthy because the childminder has a sound understanding of appropriate hygiene practices. Children have their hands wiped after snacks and their individual sleep routines are followed. The childminder has an appropriate nappy changing procedure and as a result cross contamination is limited. However, young children are not always held when having their bottle of milk and therefore, their need for eye and physical contact is not fully promoted. Children are nourished as they are provided with fresh fruit and home cooked meals. They try kiwi fruit and pineapple, for the first time at snack time, showing in their expression their likes and dislikes. Children are provided with regular drinks of milk or juice to ensure they have enough fluids during the day. The required documentation is in place to maintain the health and medical needs of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and clean home. There is sufficient space for them to play freely and make choices. They enjoy choosing from the colourful interactive toys for example, jigsaws, cars and post boxes. The childminder rotates the resources to provide a variation for children. Children are kept mostly safe as most required safety features are in place. However, the fire guard is not fixed to the wall and therefore children's safety is compromised. Children learn about safe practices as the childminder talks to them about danger, she reminds them to be careful and explains to the older child that younger children will pick things up and put them in their mouth. The childminder has attended training in maintaining a safe environment and creating a culture for safety. Children’s safety is monitored appropriately because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures into practice when necessary, based on national and local guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and achieve as the childminder talks to them about their play. She keeps the children very well occupied and changes the activities to prevent the younger children from getting bored. Children are learning about colours and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 numbers as the childminder names yellow and green and counts from one to six during their play. She makes good use of praise as she tells the children they have done well, are good boys and encourages them to share. The children enjoy story time remaining intrigued and interested as the childminder effectively uses the puppets as props to tell the story. They all chatter constantly as the childminder talks to the children about what is taking place for example, 'shall we have a story' 'look at the spinning top' 'its going faster' 'can you make it go faster? The childminder has an informal plan of activities including a good balance of adult and child led activities mixing both indoor and outdoor experiences, for example, walks to the park, reading, crayoning and role-play. Children develop their physical

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills as they go for walks and access the outdoor decking area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures all children are welcomed into the setting. Children learn about other cultures as they play with jigsaws and books which promote diversity. Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully welcomed and included in the setting. Children are learning how to manage their behaviour because the childminder has positive strategies in place for example, talking to children about rules, these being not jumping or climbing on furniture and being nice to each other. They are beginning to understand between right and wrong because the childminder gently prompts them to pick toys up and not to hurt other children. The childminder uses distraction to divert younger children onto a new activity to prevent situations from escalating. The childminder fosters appropriate relationships with parents as she shares information about her family, polices and procedures with them. She makes time to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discuss issues with the parents to enable them to be fully aware of her childcare practice which contributes to the children's well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children can play and learn in an environment that is organised to meet their needs with room to move freely and choose quality toys and equipment. The toys and equipment are stored safely and are readily available to children assisting them in making choices. The childminder visits the local toddler group to ensure children can mix and socialise outside of the home. She has attended the pre-registration training course and has completed the certificate of first aid. The regulatory documentation is very well organised and up to date. There are written policies and procedures in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure the safety of the children in relation to the fire guard • develop an appropriate feeding procedure when bottle feeding babies.

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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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