Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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308504 Unique Reference Number 20 November 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 was registered in November 1996. She lives with her husband and her adult daughter in a terraced house in the village of Wesham which is a short car distance from Kirkham town centre.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Two rooms on the ground floor of the property are used for childminding. Toilet facilities are provided upstairs. There is an enclosed rear yard available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. There are currently eight children on roll who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she 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 wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Activities are planned, for example visits to the local park, which improve the children's physical skills. They become increasingly aware of how activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. They enjoy regular outdoor activities as they go for daily walks, which promote their good health and development. Children may rest when they are tired and have their health needs met well as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are secure and cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from exposure to germs. For example, the childminder reminds children to wash their hands following a visit to the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy nutritious snacks and meals, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children have access to drinks at all times. Older children can help themselves to a drink whilst the younger children have drinks available on request to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the foods she serves to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting. Children's dietary needs are adequately met in the care of the childminder through her careful planning and attention to detail.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment for children is bright, is visually stimulating and offers different areas where they can choose to play. Space is used creatively so that quiet, active and imaginative play opportunities are catered for. The areas for indoor play are well equipped to promote choice for the children. The outdoor area contains a small selection of toys, which extend children’s physical development. Toys and equipment are organised in a way that allows children easy access, for example, toy boxes and low-level storage are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and secure within this environment and when on outings, as the childminder has due regard for safety procedures. She keeps the front door locked at all times, has safety equipment in place and ensures children are safe when outdoors. Emergency fire procedures are in place and children have practised the routine, which familiarises them with the method of quick evacuation. Children learn the importance of safety for both themselves and for each other through careful explanation by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the responsibilities for recording and reporting alleged abuse of a child and maintains contact details of relevant bodies.

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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. Children feel relaxed and secure because they settle very well with the childminder and others in the setting. They enjoy their play and this extends outside the home by partaking in outings and socialising with children at the local toddler groups that they visit with the childminder. Children spend their time purposefully. They are developing their language skills as they enjoy chatting and they love the very good selection of books made available to them. They love to count, for example, the cars and the construction bricks. Children’s creativity is encouraged through the activities, which include role play and painting and drawing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are enthusiastic in their play; they play happily together sharing and taking turns. They are very proud of their achievements and are eager to share them with others, which promotes their self-esteem very well. Children benefit from the childminder’s understanding of the ages and stages of development of the children in her care and how to meet their needs, promote their development and ensure their well-being. She plans activities which offer a very good range of experiences. In particular, children enjoy regular visits to the park where they love to socialise with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She is aware of 'Birth to three matters' guidance, a framework to assist in the implementation of this aspect of practice. She uses this to provide ideas for activities with the under threes. She does not however, record the children's development and daily activities. Very good opportunities offer children a stimulating and fun day, in which to develop and enjoy their time as they flourish in this environment.

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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, the childminder reads stories about children in other countries and has made resources available to the minded children, which reflect a diverse society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about good behaviour effectively, through positive reinforcement and good examples set 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 are therefore beginning to show care and concern for each other by learning to share toys and to take turns. However, there is not an incident record in place at present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that she receives information from parents to enable her to provide effectively to meet children's individual needs. She in turn shares information about herself so that good links are forged with parents, which benefit the children, who feel secure within her home.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within a well-organised environment. There are effective and clear procedures in place to promote children's learning and development, as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged. 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, which ensures parents are clear about all aspects of her 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 well planned experiences. The childminder ensures that she develops her practice by attending courses facilitated by the local authority. She has in place the 'Birth to three matters' guidance, a framework for developing the care of children under three. She includes this in her practice to promote learning for younger 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop resources which promote equality of opportunity, to ensure a smoke detector is fitted at each level of the premises and to obtain written parental consent allowing medication to be administered to a minded child. The resources, which reflect equality of opportunity, have been increased to promote children's understanding of diversity. A smoke detector is fitted on all levels in the home and written consent is now in place to administer medication to a child. These improvements have enhanced the care of the children and promoted additional independence.

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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 complaint 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): • develop the use of 'Birth to three matters' guidance to monitor children's development • provide an incident record.

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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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