Childminder, Out-of school day care in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

307697 Unique Reference Number 18 August 2006 Inspection date Janet, Elizabeth Singleton 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 approximately 1986. She lives with her husband and adult son. She is registered to care for six children and is currently minding eight children who attend on both a full and part time basis. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear yard for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children are taken to the local toddler group each week and she has regular contact with other registered childminders and their children.

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 understands sound hygiene practices as she encourages them to wash their hands before and after meals. They have individual flannels and use paper towels to dry their hands therefore limiting cross infection. The childminder's nappy changing routine ensures children are changed according to their need and she follows the parents' wishes to ensure a consistent procedure is maintained.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children's health needs are cared for by having all the required documentation and consent forms in place and readily available. The first aid box contained some plasters that were out of date and as a result could not be used should they be required.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are satisfactorily nourished as they are provided with healthy snacks of fresh fruit. They were seen to be enjoying cranberries and prunes as they sat together at the table. They readily access their drinks of water or juice as they monitor their own needs for a drink.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming indoor environment which is clean, well maintained and child friendly. They make choices from a wide selection of colourful toys including role play and creative materials. They choose from the well resourced boxes of equipment including dolls, cars and crayons in an environment that is organised to allow them to make independent decisions about their play. The childminder provides variation for the children by rotating the toys and equipment thus children remain occupied and interested in their activities.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept mostly safe as all required safety equipment is in place. The childminder has some policies to support the children's safety needs. However, the childminder was not fully aware of the need to ensure children are kept within sight and sound at all times and therefore their safety is compromised.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is fully aware of signs and symptoms and is confident of the action to take should a child protection issue arise.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with very good activities which meet their needs because the childminder has an informal plan linked to the daily routine. Children delight in dressing up and put on an array of lovely clothing as they become fairies and dancers. They remain very interested and occupied as they play with the Polly Pockets and laugh and joke together. They sit together and create their own masterpieces from the modelling clay proudly showing their creations to

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 the childcare inspector. They develop their physical skills as they are taken for walks to the park and to the shops.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their confidence and esteem by having very positive relationships with the childminder. Interaction is constructive; children seek the support of the childminder as they ask for her help with the dressing up clothes. Their self-esteem and confidence is also promoted because the childminder understands the need to praise children and to encourage them during their play. The children are able to socialise outside of the home as they are taken to local toddler groups to allow them to experience new environments and make friends.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good understanding of equality of opportunity for all children and anti discriminatory practice having a written policy in place. She is aware of the need to ensure all children can participate in the activities provided. The children learn about diversity from the good resources provided which include play people in wheelchairs, books and a selection of cultural dolls.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning how to manage their behaviour because the childminder has very positive strategies in place. She uses distraction and time out as she talks to them about acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour to enable them to understand the reasons why. She has house rules of which children are made aware and include no climbing on furniture and no shouting. She uses praise very readily and appropriately and is fully aware of the ages and stage of development of each child and what is acceptable for children at that stage of development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters good relationships with parents by sharing information which contributes to the children's well being. Parents complete an 'All about Me' document to enable the childminder to find out about the child before they start with her. She provides daily discussions to ensure parents are fully informed about her childcare practices. The childminder has folders of the children's work which she shares with parents also.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from an environment and practice that is organised satisfactorily to meet their needs by the appropriate use of time, space and resources. They play, learn and make choices as they move freely and access appropriate toys and equipment. She has an informal routine in place which is based on the children's needs enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from the activities provided.

p.4

Organisation

Children's needs are met and their welfare protected because the childminder has all regulatory documentation in place which is well maintained, organised and up to date. Children's details are fully recorded therefore ensuring parents can be contacted should a situation occur.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of 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 was asked to ensure the emergency evacuation practise is recorded, to obtain written permission from parents for the use of plasters and to provide written agreements with parents. She was also requested to provide additional resources which reflect disability and to be aware of the local child protection procedures.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained written consent to apply plasters. She has now recorded the emergency evacuation procedure and has put in place the written agreements with parents. She has provided further resources to promote diversity including play people in wheelchairs and books which promote peoples differences. The childminder has demonstrated her understanding of the child protection procedure and the recent change over to the Safeguarding Children's Board.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The recording of the fire practise drill evidences that children are learning what to do in the case of an emergency. The seeking of parental consent for the application of the plasters and the written agreements ensures that parents are fully informed of the childcare practice and give their agreement to the said practices. The additional resources promote children's awareness and understanding of diversity. The childminder's increased knowledge of the child protection procedures ensures she is fully aware of her responsibility to protect children and take the appropriate action to safeguard their welfare.

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): • ensure the contents of the first aid box are in date • ensure children are within sight or sound at all times.

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 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.6