Childminder in Cumbria

Inspection report for early years provision

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317207 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Elizabeth Miles Wallis 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 1988. She lives with her husband and an adult son. Their home is situated in Ulverston, Cumbria near to parks, schools and the town centre. Children have access to the ground floor of the property. Childminding activities take place in dedicated childminding rooms within the house. Outdoor play takes place in the enclosed back garden. The registration is for six children under eight years. There are currently seven children on the register. The family have one dog. Children are escorted to and from local schools. The childminder attends a local toddler group with younger children. All children are also taken on regular walks and outings to resources in the local area, such as the library, parks and nearby countryside. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in a clean and hygienic home environment. Their good health is promoted by the childminder's careful cleaning routines with respect to the premises and all equipment used by the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and younger children benefit from a flexible routine that meets their individual needs for sleep and rest. Their emotional health is well nurtured through warm interaction and good individual attention.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their health and physical development. They have daily opportunities for exercise and outdoor play. They play in the garden and go on regular walks to nearby countryside and play areas. The childminder provides an interesting selection of outdoor games and activities, such as riding wheeled toys and obstacle course races. Children also enjoy indoor physical exercise, such as dancing and they learn that exercise is good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to develop good hygiene routines, such as regular hand washing before meals. Children also learn about the advantages of eating healthy food. The childminder provides nutritious snacks, such as a variety of fruit and works well with parents to promote and encourage healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is further protected because the childminder maintains clear documentation, such as individual health details and accident and medicine records. She also applies a written policy regarding the care of sick children. Her practice, however, with respect to some common communicable diseases is less rigorous.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children receive care in a spacious, safe and secure home environment. The childminder has reviewed and addressed all household risks and uses good quality safety equipment, such as stair gates and fireguards. She checks all areas used by children on a daily basis. Children are consequently well protected from hazards. Children play safely out of doors in the enclosed and level back garden that is accessed directly from the main playroom. The house is in good repair and is well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy the use of safe play and activity equipment. The childminder ensures that all items are of good quality and are regularly checked for defects. Babies and toddlers benefit from additional safety precautions, such the careful use of reins when taken out for walks and when in a buggy or high chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to teach children good safety routines. She talks to them about safety and ensures that they practise the green cross code when out on walks. A variety of appealing books increase the children's awareness of other risks, such as a story that reinforces

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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 dangers of playing on building sites. The childminder has good knowledge and training regarding child protection issues. This ensures that she is able to act appropriately if concerns arise. She also uses this knowledge to teach children how to respond appropriately to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further promoted by the childminder's application of a thorough accident and emergency policy. She also ensures that children are familiar with the clear evacuation routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the warm, relaxed childminding environment where they receive a good level of care, attention and encouragement. They settle well and develop a warm, trusting relationship with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in an activity routine that is adapted to their individual needs. The childminder has attended a wide variety of activity themed courses. She provides an excellent selection of planned, adult-supported activities, such as painting, gluing, baking and crafts. Colourful displays of the children's work decorate the playroom walls. All children, for example, are contributing to the development of a large picture that portrays a favourite story. Other individual pictures of faces, butterflies and fish are attractively displayed alongside stimulating posters, such as a poster depicting garden birds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a wealth of opportunities to develop their confidence and curiosity through independent exploration and play. For example, they enjoy dressing up, playing with construction toys and with pretend kitchen toys. A wide selection of attractive resources ensures that children of all ages have a good level of choice. Babies and toddlers, for example, readily access a variety of small musical toys, activity centres and push-along items whilst older children have a good supply of board games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn as they play because the childminder provides an ample selection of attractive books and puzzles. She also makes very good use of spontaneous opportunities, such as counting the letters that the postman brings and naming the colours of the crayons. Children develop their speech and language skills because the childminder asks them questions, encourages them to express themselves and listens attentively to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes excellent use of local community resources. Younger children socialise with other children through attendance at a toddler group and a childminder group. The childminder takes children on woodland walks where they collect leaves to create pictures. At other times she takes them shopping, for example, to buy fruit for their snack. Children also enjoy trips to the nearby animal park, library, toy library and play park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good partnership that is maintained between the childminder and parents. Parents have access to clear information in the form of written policies covering all

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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 aspects of the service provided. The childminder ensures that she communicates regularly with parents, for example, when they collect their child or by telephone in the evening. This ensures that children's progress and achievements are carefully monitored and recognised. The childminder regularly reviews the care arrangements, thus ensuring that the children's individual needs are continuously met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses a positive approach to managing the children's behaviour. She offers a good level of praise and encouragement. She also displays a colourful reward chart whereby all children earn stars to celebrate their good behaviour, such as being helpful and eating their food well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are introduced to a range of resources that encourage learning about the wider world. They develop respect for individual and cultural differences through access to a selection of books and puzzles. They also enjoy activities associated with multi-cultural festivals undertaken in childminder group sessions. The childminder ensures that children are enabled to make a positive contribution by involving them in activities that benefit others. These include sponsored charitable activities and participating in a campaign to eliminate dog fouling in the local park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets the individual needs of the children well. She works well with parents of children with health or developmental difficulties and ensures that children's individual dietary needs are carefully met. She also tailors activities and resources to meet individual children's interests, for example, by obtaining library books that reflect their specific interests.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's professional approach to the service provided. The childminder works to a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that cover all aspects of the service provided to the children. The children's care is further enhanced by the childminder's commitment to ongoing training and development and her involvement in the local childminder group.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the highly organised home environment. They enjoy a good amount of clear floor space for play. The main activity room is well laid out with suitable furnishings. The childminder displays the play resources in an attractive, systematic and accessible manner. A well maintained store of additional toys and books ensures ongoing variety. Children enjoy the well organised activity programme which is delivered in a flexible manner taking into account factors, such as individual routines and the weather.

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Organisation

All required documentation is well maintained and clear. Documents are effectively filed, clear and accessible. 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 was asked to rehearse the emergency evacuation plan with the children. The childminder has undertaken this explaining the routine appropriately to

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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 the children. This has benefited the children by ensuring their increased safety. The childminder was also asked to provide play materials that reflect positive images of diversity. Children now have increased access to such resources including a variety of books and puzzles.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • ensure that the policy and practice relating to the care of sick children includes appropriate exclusion times for communicable diseases.

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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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