Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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317251 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2007 Inspection date Valerie Block 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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and her 17 year old daughter in a house in the centre of the village of Greystoke, near to Penrith, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor apart from the conservatory, washhouse and utility room are used by the minded children. Minded children also have use of an upstairs bedroom and the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed part of the back garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under the age of eight at variable times throughout the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local children's groups. The family has one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties.

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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. The house is kept clean and the childminder uses antibacterial cleansers to ensure that children's health is protected. Children are encouraged to undertake appropriate hygiene practices and personal care, such as washing hands after using the toilet. She provides a towel for each child to prevent cross-infection. Children learn to take responsibility for their own health as the childminder reminds them that it is important to avoid contact with germs. She explains to them they must not eat food that has fallen on the floor.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not have a current first aid certificate. This is a breach in regulations and presents risks to children, as the childminder does not have up-to-date first aid knowledge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a satisfactory range of activities, which contribute to their overall health. They regularly benefit from walks in the countryside and to local parks as well as regular play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder explains to children the reasons for healthy eating so the children begin to understand how to eat well. Children enjoy healthy snacks that usually consist of fruit, raisins and sometimes a biscuit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected as the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's needs are met satisfactorily as they are cared for in a homely, safe environment where they have a sufficient amount of accessible, clean play equipment. They, therefore, make themselves at home and confidently move about the house helping themselves to toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When children are outside on walks, the childminder ensures their safety as she holds the children's hands and has younger children safely sitting in their buggies. The childminder explains to children about road safety and the need to tidy up the floor to prevent trips and falls. This means that children begin to understand about the principles for keeping themselves safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a sufficient range of activities that are suitable for the age of the children. Children begin to learn about the world around them as they regularly go for walks and visit children's groups and parks in the village. They also regularly visit the childminder's relatives who live nearby and so they begin to understand about their locality and community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a satisfactory range of regular activities for the children such as reading, free play, crafts and painting. She has not as yet fully read the 'Birth to three matters' framework and does not use it to plan activities for younger children. This means that children's needs are not fully met.

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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 Very young children are nurtured as she develops very warm, caring relationships with them. She carefully introduces them to her setting and understands the child's anxiety at being separated from parents. She plans an appropriate settling in time with the parents to meet the children's needs. Children are confident and very relaxed with the childminder as a result.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

When first waking up, children are gently handled and talked to in a reassuring soft voice until the children choose to go and play. She then joins in with the children's play at their level sitting on the floor with them and interacting well with the children whilst they play with a suitable toy for their age. Children are therefore cared for well and their routines understood and respected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Small children look at a book on her knee. The childminder says this is the children's favourite book and the children enthusiastically find it for the childminder. The children help the childminder to turn the pages and enjoy looking at the pictures, making the sounds of the animals on the pages. Children therefore begin to make sounds and communicate as well as begin to enjoy stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an adequate amount of activities and play equipment that promote a positive view of the world and increase children's understanding of diversity. Children learn about their own world as they are regularly taken out in their village for walks and to visit children's groups. The children are regularly invited to the nearby homes of relatives of the childminder and the children, therefore, have the opportunity to meet people in their community from different age groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder verbally shares information with parents on a regular basis and receives required records to advise of children's needs and parents' wishes. Letters from parents express a good level of satisfaction. Parents advise that their children receive a 'home from home' day care experience.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is helpful and welcoming to children who have learning difficulties and disabilities. She has been willing to include children and to learn about their conditions to ensure she meets their needs. Children begin to learn about good behaviour as the childminder uses praise to encourage good behaviour and provides a good role model to children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are soundly met as the childminder provides a suitable, safe environment with appropriate activities and equipment. Children are supervised well and given a good amount of attention.

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Organisation

Although the National Standards are currently met, the childminder is unaware of the additional requirements within the 'Addendum to the National Standards'.

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Organisation

Necessary records are kept as required so ensuring children's needs are met and parents' wishes are known. The childminder has developed an introductory folder with information in writing about her service for new parents.

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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 The childminder has not notified Ofsted as required that a household member has become 16 years of age as she was unaware that this was necessary. This is a breach in regulations and presents risks to children, as the childminder has not followed required procedures.

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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 her range of play materials to provide positive images of diversity. She has provided some additional toys and books and videos to meet children's needs.

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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. 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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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): • ensure that checks are processed for household members over the age of 16 years • ensure that the regulations and modifications in the, 'Addendum to the National Standards', are known and put into practice as required • plan and provide activities to help children's development in line with the aspects and approach described in the Dfes publication 'Birth to three matters: a framework to support children in their earliest years'. • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and 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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