Childminder in Blackpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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307845 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2006 Inspection date Ferroza Saiyed 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her partner and three children of which, two are adult and one child aged 4. They live in a semi-detached house in Blackpool. The family pets are two dogs, a cat, a chipmunk, a guinea pig, a tortoise which is kept in the bedroom and a rabbit which roams freely in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the house which has a conservatory/playroom, front lounge, back lounge/dining area, kitchen and toilet facilities. A secure outdoor play area is also available and accessed through the conservatory for physical play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all under the age of eight, who all attend on a part-time and full-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 is a member of the National Childminding Association, a member of Early Years Network - Children Come First, and the Oak Tree Network- Sure Start.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is promoted because the childminder has an excellent understanding of hygiene practices. This ensures children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. The childminder ensures the nappy changing routine is effective, clean and pleasant for babies by using anti-bacterial wipes for the changing mat, and talking to children. The children's health is further assured by the attainment of consents relating to seeking emergency medical attention, and the use of sun creams. Children are learning about the importance of applying sun cream and wait their turn to have some put on them before going out into the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their very good health. There are good outdoor activities to help them develop their health and they enjoy the fresh air. For example, walks, visit to the pleasure land, and the garden. They learn to control their bodies, for example, as they run and jump in the garden. Activities are very well planned and improve the children’s physical skills. This is further, enhanced by the childminders good understanding of appropriate activities and level of support, which enables them to gain in confidence and to try out new skills. For example, a child was learning to climb the step onto the slide and jumping on the trampoline with the support of the childminder. This ensures children are starting to learn the importance of exercise in promoting their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy the benefits of a healthy diet with regular drinks. They are encouraged to sit together and feed themselves, this helps promote independence. All snacks and meals contain healthy foods and are prepared by the childminder, according to dietary needs and parent's wishes. She introduces new foods taking into account parent’s wishes, supporting children’s physical well-being and development. Children are given the opportunity to try unfamiliar fruit, such as kiwi and other tropical fruit which they thoroughly enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming child friendly home where children feel safe and secure. Children enjoy their play in a very safe environment where the childminder has completed a comprehensive risk assessment of her home. She has identified and minimised risks, for example, the front door has a high bolt, sockets are covered and stair gates are in place. Some risks however, such as the glass cabinet in the lounge, increase the possibility of accidents. Space within the house is well organised, allowing children to move around freely and safely developing independence skills. Children can easily access the toys and resources, which are good quality and age appropriate. They are checked regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm the children.

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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 The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by discussing the need to hold hands when outside, and not to run on the road. She further promotes safety when children are on outings by using appropriate restraints. Children learn about fire safety through regular practises, this, alongside sensitive explanation, helps children understand what is expected of them to keep safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the responsibilities for recording and reporting alleged child protection concerns. She was able to demonstrate contact details of relevant bodies. However, the child protection procedure does not outline what she would if an allegation is made against a member of the family, this compromise's children safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children have an extremely positive relationship with the childminder. The children engage the childminder in their activities, laughing and making gestures with the childminder, which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with a broad range of resources from which they can self select and make decisions about their play. The children are independent as they choose from a variety of stimulating and exciting toys, books, and activities. The childminder uses her experience and knowledge to include spontaneous events for specific children. For example, as the aeroplane pass over the house, the child, makes the noise of the aeroplane, the childminder asks the child how the aeroplane fly’s, child immediately demonstrates this for the childminder and the inspector.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from the childminder’s extensive knowledge and experience about their developmental needs. She uses this to plan exciting games and activities to promote children’s development. This provides children with a superb range of experiences which they enjoy. For example, children decorate cakes for England’s first win. This promotes their creativity, development, and enjoyment. As a result, they become confident to extend their knowledge in a creative and meaningful way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All the children contribute and take part, expressing their own ideas and thoughts. The indoor space, the garden, the park, visits to Eureka, and trips to places of interest all allow children to discover new environments and the zoo, promotes highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their self-esteem and confidence exceptionally well, because the childminder has an extensive knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's learning and development. She has very good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, the Foundation Stage, and children's general development. Therefore, children are developing in all areas of their learning and development extremely effectively.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children are valued and respected as individuals, which helps to give them a sense of belonging. They are able to experience a positive view of the wider world and increase their understanding of diversity through images and experiences offered to them, for example, they make Chinese lantern. They are beginning to recognize similarities and differences through first hand experiences with each other and the wider world in a positive way. Children with special educational needs or specific individual needs are fostered by the childminder. For example, plans are in place to support and further enhance specific needs, which demonstrate the childminder's knowledge and understanding of this area of practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and excellent role modelling by the childminder who is calm and caring. She takes the time to explain and uses appropriate strategies taking into account individual levels of understanding. For example, when a child became tired of an activity, the childminder used diversion as a strategy to encourage their interest in other play items.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s well-being. The childminder actively seeks parent’s views about their children’s needs and interests and uses this information as a starting point to ensure she meets the expectations of parents. A positive and effective relationship is fostered; she ensures parents are fully informed of her care practice. She allows time at the end of each day for parent’s to discuss their child's care. Which enables the childminder to provide high quality of care in accordance with parent’s wishes. The childminder shares useful information about her practices, policies and procedures with parents. She ensures she has written consents in place to follow parent’s requirements about their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has all of the necessary regulatory documentation in place. This is well maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted at all times aided by the clearly written policies and procedures, together with individual achievement records. These are shared with parents to enhance the quality of care each child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation of the setting is effective with room for children to move freely and self select resources. The childminder has an informal routine in place, which is based on the children's needs therefore, enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from activities provided. The childminder evaluates her practice and attends training in childcare to increase her skills and knowledge and to improve the care of the children.

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Organisation

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

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation and this was to review and further develop parental consent forms and familiarise with the required usage of the incident book.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now all obtained written consent from parents and keeps a record of incident to share with them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This has further enhanced children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration.

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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.

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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): • make all low level glass safe to ensure children's safety is not compromised • ensure the procedure for what to do, if an allegation is made against a member of the family, is included in the child protection policy.

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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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