Lawler, Karen Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY288742 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Gillian Patricia Bishop

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years in the Middleton area of Rochdale. The whole ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She currently cares for four children who attend on a full and part time basis.

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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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and she takes children to local parks and shops.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn good hygiene practices within everyday routines for hand washing and personal care, for example they wash their hands before eating and they are reminded of the need to wipe their nose when they have a cold. Children's health is protected by the childminders well established policies and procedures for sickness and for the administering of medication. Action taken reflects children's best interest. Children benefit from a well balanced and nutritious diet. Drinks are readily available which ensures children are able to refresh themselves throughout the day. Children enjoy a variety of fruit, vegetables and salads during meal and snack times which introduces them to new tastes and encourages them to make healthy choices. The childminders knowledge of individual needs ensures children's dietary requirements are met. Children are physically active throughout the day so the childminder ensures they

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Helping children to be healthy

rest and sleep according to their needs. Children are enthusiastic about outdoor play where they have opportunities the develop good co-ordination skills when peddling bikes and throwing and catching a ball.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a good sense of belonging within the childminders home since play areas are well organised and very child centred. Children make good use of the space by extending their activities to the hallway when 'pretend shopping'. Children's artwork and bright displays create a welcoming environment for children. Children are provided with a variety of good quality toys and equipment which offer suitable challenge and interest. Effective organisation and low level storage encourages children from an early age to make choices and decision about what they want to play with. Children are protected by generally good safety measures within the home. The premises are secure and children are appropriately supervised. Older children follow written guidance about fire evacuation and they support the safety of little ones by closing gates and taking care with small objects. However, children's safety and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare is compromised due to a number of potential hazards in the rear garden and due to the childminders insecure knowledge of child protection issues .

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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 and they benefit from familiar routines for eating, play and outings. Children have good relationships with their carer which encourages them to seek cuddles and make their needs known. They are beginning to learn to how to play harmoniously through the childminders encouragement to share and co-operate. Children are well occupied both in and outside the home. They make good use of the role play toys to play imaginatively when dressing up and to act out familiar scene's such as 'taking the dolls to the shops'. Children are developing an enjoyment of music as they use musical instruments and they talk about which music tape to put on. The childminder spends time talking and playing with the children which encourages their interest and supports their learning. Educational development is well promoted as younger children frequently draw and use shape sorters and jigsaws.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met due to effective working relationships with parents. Children's records are informative which ensures they are cared for with regard to parental wishes. Information about each child's well being is exchanged through the use of a daily diary. Children enjoy the company of others and they are learning to share and take turns as the childminder frequently tells them 'not to smack or not to throw'. However, younger children do not receive clear explanations about 'why', to support their understanding of right and wrong. Children participate in everyday routines which ensures independence is well promoted, they select their own toys and they help to put them away. They help to prepare for snack time by collecting cups and food from the kitchen which they help to carry to the table. Boys and girls enjoy playing with role play resources which provides them with good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

opportunities to explore various roles. However, children are not gaining an understanding of the wider world as there are insufficient play materials and activities to support their awareness of race, culture and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and confident within the setting and they benefit from familiar routines which help them to feel happy and secure. They are encouraged to

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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 feel at home and become independent in their play and they benefit from the effective organisation of toys and equipment. Overall, their individual needs are met. The childminder has completed the required training courses. She recognises the benefits of further training in order to extend the range of activities for children and to develop her professional working knowledge. All the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being are in place. Written policies and procedures ensure parents are well informed as they describe current childcare practices within the setting.

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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 children play in safety in the rear garden by removing all potential hazards • increase knowledge of current child protection procedures • ensure children develop a clear understanding of right and wrong by providing appropriate explanations about what is un-acceptable and why • develop the range of resources and activities available to support children's awareness of diversity and the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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