Barlow, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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309058 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2006 Inspection date Margaret Baines 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 1999. She lives with her husband and their child in a detached home in a residential area of Thornton-Cleveleys, which is within walking distance of local amenities. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding. There are presently five children on roll. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. The childminder holds the NNEB certificate in childcare practice.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder smokes but not where children are cared for. The family has a pet dog and two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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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 enjoy a warm, clean environment where they may have easy access to a broad range of resources, which are maintained to a good standard to protect children from the spread of infection. For example, the childminder regularly cleans the toys and equipment with a germicidal solution. Children are encouraged to use their own drinking cups to prevent the spread of germs. Children learn effective hygiene procedures through daily routines. The childminder actively encourages the children to wash their hands prior to eating and after using the bathroom. She explains to the children why this is important in terms they easily understand. Children have their health needs met effectively because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She is confident to deal with a first aid situation, therefore children's health needs are met well in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an interesting range of healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, which promotes their well-being and develops their good knowledge of nutritious foods. Children may have a drink at any time; drinks are sugar free juices plus water or milk in accordance with children's choices and parents' wishes. Younger children have their dietary needs met consistently through effective consultation with parents to ensure that the link between home and the childminding setting is a positive one.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment, which allows children freedom of movement from the lounge to the rear playroom. All safety measures are in place to ensure children's safety when in this home. They also have access to an outdoor play area which is secure and contains appropriate resources for them to enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy access to suitable and safe activities and equipment designed to promote their development. They are able to choose from a broad range of appropriate resources which are stored and available according to the child's abilities. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the childminder's home. For example, a safety gate excludes them from the kitchen when meals are being prepared. They learn from the childminder simple guidance to keep safe. For example, they hold hands when out walking, they are reminded to walk and not run in the house. Children are encouraged to participate in the fire evacuation procedure practises to raise their awareness of the evacuation routes, so enhancing their knowledge and protecting them from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguard because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and her responsibility with regard to reporting any concerns.

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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. On arrival at the childminder's home, children settle quickly into purposeful play as they make choices from a good selection of toys. The child present enjoyed her play; she used the computer making pictures, which she coloured, and then enthusiastically made puppets with the help of the childminder. Children benefit from outdoor play in the garden where they enjoy the outdoor toys, which include the trampoline; this is supervised at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular visits to the local play groups, the shops and the library, which help them to learn about their community. Children enjoy messy play to promote their creativity; they paint, they use play dough and they use a variety of materials to make models. Children are developing their understanding of ICT through regular opportunities to use the computer with the childminder's effective guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They form strong bonds which promote their emotional well-being. Their interests are consistently built upon as they acquire new skills, so creating a sense of achievement. The organisation of the toys in the playroom allows children good opportunities to develop their independence as they select and choose at will. The toy boxes at present do not have labels or pictures on them to assist children in their choice making.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are encouraged to become skilful communicators through good interaction between the childminder and themselves. However, she has yet to obtain the Birth to three guidance to enhance her practice. Children respond well to the childminder. She consistently talks to the children, encouraging them to respond and share their thoughts and opinions through both verbal and non verbal communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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 awareness of diversity through images and experiences offered to them. For example, they enjoy books and a collection of small world figures, which share the wider world with the children in a positive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and good 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. Children therefore show care and concern for others and are kind and considerate in sharing toys and playing together harmoniously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures information is obtained from parents and is used effectively to meet the needs of their children. She, in turn, shares information about herself and her family, which forges positive links between home and the setting. This ensures the children feel secure within

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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 this home. Aspects of practice are shared within policies and procedures to keep parents informed of requirements which must be met, and records are signed appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within a well organised environment. There are effective and clear policies in place to promote children's learning and enjoyment, in addition to their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledge and maintained. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. Written permissions are in place, so ensuring parents are clear about all aspects of the childminder's practice.

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Organisation

Children are looked after by the childminder in a safe, secure environment, where they have room to develop their independence and learning through many well planned experiences. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate in line with current requirements to ensure children’s needs can be met, should there be an emergency. She has yet to obtain the Birth to three guidance, a framework to promote learning for younger children.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has increased the resources by providing small world figures, books and puzzles which reflect our diverse society in a positive manner. These improvements have enhanced her practice for the benefit of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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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Complaints 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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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): • consider the labelling of the toy storage boxes to help children make choices in their play • develop knowledge of the Birth to three guidance to enhance practice.

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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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