Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

503809 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2006 Inspection date Christine Fraser Turner Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, aged seven and nine in Darwen. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently minding four children. There are two children attending full-time and the other two attend part-time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder collects children from local schools. She attends local parent /toddler groups and takes the children to local parks and the local library.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate procedures when children are ill. For example, parents are asked to collect their child when they are ill to prevent cross infection. Children wash their hands appropriately after using the toilet but there is no provision for children to have separate hand drying facilities to prevent cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished. They receive healthy snacks such as fresh fruit daily. Children have their dietary needs met well because the childminder works effectively with parents. She gathers relevant information on their child's needs. They are beginning to learn about food as the childminder talks about what they are eating at meal times.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good access to drinks thought the day because their cups are readily available and within reach. Babies are offered regular drinks throughout the day and on waking from a nap.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular exercise as they visit parks and a soft play centre.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs because the childminder has a daily discussion with parents and follows their request.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure, safe indoor and outdoor environment. Examples of children's work and photographs of a visit to a farm are on the wall.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use suitable and safe equipment. They have access to additional toys because the childminder uses the local toy library. Children have easy access to suitable books from the low book case.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children keep safe on outings because the childminder takes satisfactory precautions. They are learning to keep themselves safe as they tidy away toys, such as before snack time.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has suitable understanding of her role in child protection and would take appropriate steps to keep children safe.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settle with appropriate support from the childminder. They enjoy playing musical instruments, such as when the childminder sits on the floor singing 'Row Row Row Your Boat' to them. Children make positive relationships with each other as they enjoy role play in the outdoor playhouse making drinks for each other. They take part in interesting visits, such as a trip to the farm where children look at the animals. They use play dough alongside

p.3

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 the childminder and talk about the colour. Photographs show children using sand in the outside area and using a slide on the trip to the farm.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for by the childminder who uses relevant information from parents to provide appropriate care for individual children. They benefit from preliminary visits to the childminder with their parent to help with the settling in process. Children make themselves at home and are able to choose from the selection of toys made available by the childminder. They are beginning to show an awareness of the needs of others, such as a child chooses a book to share with another child. They are learning to share toys, supported by the childminder who offers age appropriate explanations to children when minor disagreements arise.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of wider society through visits in the local community to the library, toddler groups and the park. The children also have access to developmentally appropriate books with positive images.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers receive sufficient information on their child's day through daily discussion with the childminder. She encourages parents to keep her well informed so she can review their child's routine taking account of any new information.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a suitable adult. Children follow a daily routine that is flexible to take account of changes and meet their needs. The childminder gave an example; during warm weather the she would rearrange a planned afternoon visit to the park for the morning to keep children cool.

p.4

Organisation

Space is well organised to enable children to move freely between the living room and dining room because the childminder ensures clear access between the two rooms. Resources are organised so children are able to make their own choices from toys selected by the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder is committed to ongoing development through training and has recently attended training in Birth to three matters. Children benefit from some areas already being implemented, including singing. The childminder identified that she wants to continue with her development in this area.

p.4

Organisation

Most documents required for childminding are in place. However, there is no written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in place. There is no procedure in place to record complaints from parents. Individual children's records are stored in their own folder.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure that parental consents were up to date. Parents' written consent has been obtained in all areas apart from consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • provide separate hand drying for children • obtain written consent to seek emergency medical attention or advice from parents • review complaints procedure to ensure that it meets the changes in regulations.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5