Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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503670 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2006 Inspection date Ann Lee 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, six and one year in Ormskirk, West Lancashire. The lounge, dining area of the kitchen and two back bedrooms are available for use by minded children. Children also have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit which lives outdoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is the chairperson and secretary of the local childminding group and a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment where the childminder takes steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She uses anti-bacterial spray to clean work surfaces and provides separate bedding, towels and changing mats for children. On outings she always takes anti-bacterial gel to wash hands in case there are no washing facilities available. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet or touching the pet rabbit and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate and she ensures that the first aid box is always fully stocked. All of the necessary documentation, such as parental consent and emergency procedure is available to enable her to protect children in the event of accidental injury or sickness.

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Helping children to be healthy

A healthy, varied diet is provided which consists of home cooked meals and nutritious snacks including plenty of fresh fruit. The childminder offers regular drinks throughout the day and avoids sugary drinks and snacks except as occasional treats.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a wide variety of outside play equipment so that children can practise their physical skills in the garden. They slide and swing, dig in the sand and kick and throw the balls. Children also enjoy daily outings to local parks, shops and toddler groups where they have space to run about, jump, climb and have fun playing with other children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the setting because the childminder supervises them closely at all times and ensures that they cannot leave the premises unaccompanied. The areas for play are bright and attractively decorated to provide a welcoming and child friendly environment for children. The walls of the play room are decorated with the children's art work and photographs of them at play. This helps children to feel that they belong in the setting and builds their self-esteem. The areas for play provide space for children to move around freely and explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide variety of good quality toys and equipment which are suitable for the ages of children minded. The toys, books, puzzles and small world toys are set out within easy reach of children so that they have choice about what to play with. There is a range of equipment, such as buggies, cots and high chairs to cater for the individual needs of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety is given a high priority and the childminder has all of the necessary safety equipment in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury. The fire officer has installed the smoke alarms and provided advice about fire safety and there are socket covers, a fireguard, kitchen cupboard locks and safety gates in place. Sleeping babies are closely monitored and on outings babies

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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 and toddlers either sit in the buggy or wear reins to ensure their safety. Children learn about safety issues when they practise the emergency evacuation procedure. They also discuss road safety, read stories and attend a safety week at the local toddler group where the parents and carers use role play to help children to understand about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded in the setting because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to child protection and knows where to seek help and advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and training in childcare. She has a good understanding of the needs of young children and helps them to make progress and develop to their full potential. She devises a flexible programme of activities which includes time for arts and crafts, role play, puzzles, construction and board games. The childminder is a very friendly, approachable person who develops close, loving relationships with children so that they settle in quickly and feel secure and happy. She cuddles the babies and toddlers and they sit on her knee to sing songs and look at books. Children learn good language and communication skills because the childminder talks to them, asks questions, reads stories and encourages them to extend their vocabulary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a friendly, lively atmosphere and children play well together and are relaxed and comfortable. The older children help the younger ones by holding the shape sorter so that the baby can put the shapes in more easily. Children are also encouraged to help to prepare the activities as when they cut the sticky tape to secure a large sheet of paper so that they can draw life sized pictures of themselves. Children become independent and confident as they go to the toilet by themselves and help the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has started to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her practice to improve the outcomes for children. For example, she has compiled 'treasure baskets' containing natural materials so that babies can feel and explore different textures. Children learn about the wider world when they visit local parks, shops, farms, library and toddler groups. The childminder uses activities, such as baking and growing sunflowers in the garden to teach children about colour, weight, texture and number.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome in the setting and their needs are well met. They mix with children of all ages and stages of development and the childminder uses her training, policies, resources and activities to ensure that they are all treated with respect, learn about other cultures and appreciate differences in people. She has a variety of toys, puzzles and books which reflect positive images of different cultures and disability and she also uses the toy library to add to her own resources.

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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 are friendly, confident and well behaved and they respond positively to the childminder's calm and patient manner. She praises their efforts and achievements so that they feel valued and develop good self-esteem. The older children help to devise their own ground rules for behaviour and any incidents are dealt with quickly and fairly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents and keeps them fully informed about her service and about the progress and development of their children. They are invited for introductory visits with their children and receive information about her policies and procedures. There is a notice board for parents which displays her registration certificate, qualifications and information about the National Standards and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder speaks to parents each day when they collect their children and she also writes a daily diary for babies to keep parents informed about their daily activities and progress. This positive partnership with parents helps to reassure children and promotes their welfare, safety and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a good quality service to ensure that children are well cared for and make progress. She has a good understanding of how children learn and develop gained from her training and experience. For example, she has completed the National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare and the 'Quality First' assurance scheme and is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to improve the outcomes for children. She is committed to improving her service through ongoing training.

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Organisation

The setting provides a warm, comfortable and child friendly environment where children feel relaxed and happy. They gain in confidence because the space and resources are well organised to allow them some freedom of movement and choice about what they do.

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Organisation

Children are protected because the childminder ensures that they never come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. There are contingency plans in place for emergencies and the childminder is able to call upon the help of an assistant to provide extra support. She and the minded children meet with other childminders regularly so that the children get to know them and they can also provide cover if required.

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Organisation

All of the necessary documentation, policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare of children. These records are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that the information is correct and up to date. The good relationships with parents ensure that children's records are made available to them and this contributes towards continuity of care for children. 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

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the partnership with parents by providing them with more information about their children's activities and development.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • continue to improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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