Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY318865 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2007 Inspection date Marina Anna Howarth 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 20 and 21 in Mill Hill, near Blackburn. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located on the first floor, and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years during the day. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family has one cat. The childminder does not offer overnight care for children.

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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 have access to a clean, well-maintained environment, where the childminder incorporates a daily routine for cleaning prior to the children arriving. They are also encouraged to remove their shoes before entering the living room to prevent the spread of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to use wet wipes to wipe their hands before handling food, after visiting the toilet and handling animals. Older children's independence is encouraged through the provision of soap dispensers in the bathroom and individual towels. Explanations are offered as to why it is important to keep their hands clean. Younger children are protected from cross infection through the effective procedures in place for changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder operates an exclusion policy for children who are ill which is discussed with the parents during the induction. As a result of this, they are protected from the risk of contamination. There is relevant documentation in place for the administration of first aid and medication. The childminder has attended a First Aid course which enables her to deal with accidents appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of healthy eating as the childminder provides them with a good range of nutritious foods. For example, at snack time a minded child enjoys eating apple, which she dips into her yoghurt happily. Children's individual dietary needs are met because the childminder liaises closely with the parents and records relevant details. Meal times are an opportunity for children to sit together at the table and enjoy their food whilst they are socializing. The childminder also encourages children to learn about food through the provision of creative activities. For example, the children cook and explore food through their senses. Jelly is presented to a child on a tray which she explores intently, squelching it through her fingers and tasting it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are refreshed because drinks are available throughout the day which are easily accessible. There is a choice of fresh juice, water and milk. One child accesses her drink independently throughout the morning from her own drinking vessel.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given daily opportunities to experience physical play and fresh air as the childminder takes them on walks to the local park, toddler groups and indoor soft play centres. She has also made the garden safe and accessible for them to play outside with a variety of equipment.

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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 clean, well maintained environment where most risks have been identified and minimised both inside and outside. This is done through the provision of appropriate safety equipment, such as safety gates and a fire guard. The premises is secure, which enables children to move around freely and independently. However, inconsistencies are

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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 present for fire safety. Although smoke alarms are fitted to every level, the ground floor alarm was found not to be working on the day of the inspection. In addition, an informal emergency evacuation plan is in place but this has not been practised. As a result, this compromises the safety of children on the premises. Although most potential hazards have been removed from the bathroom, the bathroom cabinet is located on a shelf and is not secured. This could pose a risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning about safety when on outings as risk assessments have been conducted. For example, pushchairs and reins are used and the childminder talks about road safety. Children are becoming increasingly aware of boundaries and learning to keep themselves safe. For example, they are encouraged not to climb on the furniture or run around inside the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment which are maintained to a good, clean, safe condition and are easily accessible to them. For example, the childminder sets out a selection of toys for the children which are suitable to their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibility for child protection in compliance with the latest guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has attended relevant training and has applied to attend additional training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings. They have access to a wide variety of good quality toys and resources to meet their individual needs. Children have the opportunities to self select resources of their choice. The childminder also uses a combination of planning activities. For example, a tactile activity is presented which comprises of orange jelly on a tray. The child squeals with delight as she touches the jelly and allows it to fall through her fingers, then raises it to her mouth to taste. The childminder actively promotes language introducing words, such as 'cold', 'squishy', 'squelchy'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take an interest in their surroundings and explore the resources on offer. For example, a child picks up a ring and tries to place it on her foot, the childminder watches and assists the child with her task and the child proudly shows off her foot with the ring around it. Children are valued and are developing positive self-esteem as the childminder takes an active interest in what they do. For example, she sings, joins in the laughter and continually sits on the floor maintaining eye contact.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond and interact well with the childminder. For example, one child watches her as she talks into the play phone, she takes the phone off the childminder and makes vocal noises. She enjoys looking at and exploring all the musical instruments and what sounds they make. She continually shows the childminder and actively enjoys frequent cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to socialize with other children as the childminder visits the local play group. They are given opportunities to develop their motor skills as they visit the park.

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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 They are becoming aware of nature and wild life as the childminder takes them to feed the ducks at the local canal.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures they are included into the life of the setting. Their individual needs are met and consistency of care is maintained, as the childminder obtains all the relevant information from the parents and completes detailed record forms during the induction process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that children are made to feel welcome at the setting as she understands their emotional needs and helps them to settle with the transition from their home environment into the childminder's setting. For example, their daily routines are incorporated into the day, such as routines for sleeping and eating.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider world as the childminder provides some resources which depict positive images of race, gender and disability. They also attend the local toddler groups which gives children the opportunity to socialise with their peers and to develop an awareness of difference.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children make choices throughout the day about what they play with and make decisions. As a result, their self confidence is developing. During the inspection the child was confident, at ease and content. She interacted well with the childminder and demonstrated further confidence by approaching the inspector at intervals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is encouraged via positive role modelling from the childminder, meaningful praise is given and encouragement. For example, the childminder claps her hands when a child presses the buttons on an activity centre to produce different sounds. She tells the child that she is a 'good girl' or 'a clever girl' and says 'well done'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Care provided for children is consistent, as regular liaising takes place with the parents to ensure individual needs are being met and information is maintained up to date. The childminder has devised set policies and procedures in place relating to the National Standards, these are issued to parents during the induction period along with the contract. As a result of this, parents are kept fully informed about the setting and the care their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and content in the setting. The environment is organised to enable children to make independent choices in their activities. The childminder is committed to developing her service by attending a variety of training. As a result of this, children receive sound care from the knowledge she has acquired and implemented into her practice.

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Organisation

The required adult-child ratios are met and children are supported because the childminder provides good levels of care and supervision.

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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 majority of the required documentation is kept as required by the National Standards and is used effectively to promote the safety, care and learning of the children. These are shared with parents during the admission stage, which ensures parents are informed about all aspects of their children's care. However, the complaints procedure does not include the regulators address.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • ensure the smoke alarm on the ground floor is maintained in working order at all times • ensure that the bathroom cabinet is secured when minded children have access to the bathroom • ensure the complaints procedure contains the address of the regulator

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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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