Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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301604 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2006 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards 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 satisfactory. 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 1991. She lives with her husband and four children aged 17, 14, 12 and seven years in the Whinney Heights area of Blackburn. This is in close proximity to Queens Park Hospital.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the downstairs of the house is used for childminding, in addition to the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for one child.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is suitably promoted as the childminder follows good hygiene practices to reduce any risk of the spread of infection. She cleans all surfaces with anti-bacterial cleanser and has effective hygiene procedures relating to the care of the family dog. Young children start to develop an awareness of their own health needs as the childminder helps them to develop self care skills, such as wiping their own nose.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthy foods. The childminder provides suitable meals for children each day, with alternative healthy options, such as fresh fruit and yogurts. She meets children's dietary needs and accommodates their preferences in accordance with parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise most days which helps to promote their good health. They visit activity groups, go for walks in the local area and have opportunities to play in the garden on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe home environment. The childminder has put measures in place, such as safety gates and socket covers, to ensure that children can play safely. She supervises the children well to ensure that they stay safe. She responds quickly to prevent accidents when children try to climb on furniture or toys, for example. The childminder's home environment is suitably welcoming and appropriately organised for the care of children. Space is allocated for children to play, sleep and eat. Children are provided with a suitable range of age-appropriate toys, though these are not always within their easy reach which limits the choices they have.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable awareness of child protection issues and procedures in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for. She has completed training on this subject recently, ensuring that her knowledge of procedures is up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. She gets to know them well and follows their individual care routines which ensures a consistent approach. The childminder develops good relationships with children as she spends time interacting with them as they play to promote their enjoyment and development. They enjoy looking at books together, talking about the pictures and singing together which helps to encourage the children's language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a suitable and varied range of activities, both in and out of the home environment. They attend toddler groups on a regular basis, they visit the local park and the library, which provides the children with a range of interesting experiences and opportunities to spend time

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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 with other children. When they spend time in the home environment they play with the toys available and have some opportunities to engage in exploratory play with materials, such as paint and sand. These experiences are, however, limited at the present time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home environment which promotes their self-esteem and good behaviour appropriately. The children respond well to the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder, who understands how to effectively manage their behaviour. She is able to distract children appropriately, for example, to prevent them becoming upset or distressed. The children have some opportunities to become aware of differences, as the childminder provides some books which reflect race, gender, culture and disability in a positive manner. She uses the toy and book library regularly to vary the resources available to the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder discusses and agrees all care issues with parents and carers. The childminder has a basic awareness of issues relating to caring for children with additional needs. Parents are kept suitably informed about what the children have been doing through the daily verbal exchange of information.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's suitable organisation skills ensure that children are cared for in a child-friendly home environment which meets their needs appropriately. She plans meals and some activities in advance which enables her to spend her time with the children. They benefit from the individual care and attention which she is able to give them. The childminder attends some training to keep her knowledge up to date in relation to first aid and food hygiene.

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Organisation

The documentation relating to the care of the children is suitably maintained and supports the care of the children. In addition, the childminder has some written policies and procedures which are reflected in her daily practice and provide useful information for parents.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to address five issues. Since that time, she has ensured that all members of the household over the age of 16 years are vetted. She has raised her awareness of child protection by attending training and has increased her understanding of equal opportunities issues. The childminder now provides more healthy meals for children. She has increased the range of creative experiences for young children, though these are still limited. By addressing the issues raised, the childminder has improved the safety, health, enjoyment and awareness of differences for the children she cares for.

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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 1 April 2004 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.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • review the organisation of toys to make them more accessible to children, enabling them to have more choice about what they do • use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to guide practice in developing the range of exploratory play activities for young children.

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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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