Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235036 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2007 Inspection date Joan, Patricia Flowers 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 September 2002. She lives with her husband and their three children who are aged nine years, seven years and 19 months. The childminder offers her childcare services from the family home located in a residential area of Preston in Lancashire. A designated playroom is used by minded children and an adjacent kitchen/dining area. Access to the rooms is via part of the kitchen. There are bathroom facilities both on the ground floor and upstairs. The secure rear garden is accessed via the french doors in the playroom. The family have two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are six children on roll whose ages are from 21 months to eight years. The children attend for a variety of sessions both full time and part time throughout the year. The childminder is qualified to National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Early Years, Care and Education and is a member of the National Childminding Association. Support and training is accessed through the local authority Sure Start development team.

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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's good health is aided well by the range of physical activities they take part in during the day. They walk to school and also visit the park and two indoor play centres where they can safely access large and small play equipment. These soft play environments offer plenty of scope for children to roll, jump, slide, crawl and balance safely. Opportunities to develop finer physical skills are aided at times when children take part in art and craft activities as children become proficient at using a range of tools and writing equipment. Their development is therefore enhanced as they learn to control their bodies and develop their coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home environment is very clean and maintained to a very good standard thereby ensuring children are protected from the risk of cross-contamination and infection. The childminder minimises these risks by adopting thorough hygiene practices, demonstrated by her and in turn learnt by the children. Children are discouraged from putting their fingers in their mouths and are taught to wash their hands before eating, resulting in them developing a healthy approach to simple and routine hygiene practices. Children's continuing good health is further aided because the childminder provides individual bags for each child. These bags contain a face cloth, towel and toothbrush so that children stay healthy and develop good personal habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to understand about making healthy choices in the types of food they eat. They choose from a variety of snacks, including an abundance of fresh fruit. They use a picture menu, that the childminder has made, to make decisions about which food they would like to eat. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and children’s likes and dislikes when planning the daily menu. She chooses things which are nutritious and which meet children's individual dietary needs. As a consequence they have plenty of energy to grow and develop and they learn about foods that are good for them. Children have the choice of either dilute fruit juices, water or milk. Drinks are accessible for children to select independently whenever they want one so they are well hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can make use of all the rooms downstairs if the childminder is with them. They confidently move around as they access their toys and activities easily from low-level shelves and picture labelled storage boxes, promoting their choice and independence well and in safety. Children are confident to play on equipment at the park and when attending the toddler group and play centres. Supervision at such times by the childminder ensures children are not put at risk. Children learn effectively from the childminder’s simple explanations about their personal safety. They hold the childminder's hand when going to the park as they develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Sound safety practices are followed by the childminder when taking young children out on foot, by employing reins attached to her belt to ensure children are always safe and cannot run off.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is aware of her child protection responsibilities. The clearly written policy is made available to parents as well as being discussed at enrolment. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes precautions in the home and when taking children outside. A formal written risk assessment has been drawn up that is reviewed regularly to ensure that identified risks to children are minimised, however, the presence of the glass fronted display cabinet in the lounge had been overlooked. This is a hazard to children's safety. The childminder uses appropriate equipment such as guards, locks and gates so that children are effectively protected and kept safe. Children are encouraged to learn about simple safety practices when they help to tidy the toys so their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety awareness is enhanced as they learn to play safely. Because the childminder practises her emergency evacuation drill every month, children gain an appreciation of how to keep themselves and others safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children can access freely and make choices from an extensive range of age appropriate play resources. These are all set out so that children can help themselves independently and so learn to make decisions for themselves. They enjoy learning about the wider world when, for example, they discuss the effects the wind has when they look at a large fallen branch in the park. Children enjoy observing the birds in the garden as they visit the bird table and watch them eating the homemade bird food cake the children helped to make. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and indoor soft play areas as well as the library and zoo. These experiences broaden children’s horizons and encourage their sense of adventure and wonder from an early age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They form strong bonds thereby promoting their emotional well-being. This contributes very effectively to their sense of belonging and happiness, displayed by their ease and confidence in the childminder's home care environment. Their interests are built upon as they acquire new skills during art activities, simple baking activities, playing with play dough and exploring the various learning and play activities that are readily available for them to choose from. Children enjoy a sense of achievement when they see their work displayed on the wall and love to share their work with their family.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Indoor space and visits to community groups provide children with different play environments and opportunities to develop social skills. As a result, they interact confidently with each other and the childminder as young children learn about sharing and making relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn to recognise familiar places when they go to the shops and library. This strengthens their sense of community and provides them with confidence and knowledge about where they live. Children learn about behaviour boundaries through everyday play situations with the childminder. Due to her clear explanations and by providing good role modelling,

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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 children develop their understanding about being kind and develop good manners. Children help to tidy away their playthings willingly as they become responsible and aware of helping to keep their playthings tidy. This fosters in them a sense of belonging and respect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of other people's similarities and difference are promoted effectively through their exposure to a very wide range of books, play resources, planned activities and discussions with the childminder. In these ways children learn about and gain an understanding of different cultures, customs and equality of opportunity as they explore these concepts in their everyday play and routine. Children receive consistency in their care because the childminder develops good lines of communication with parents, both verbally and through written records. However, not every parent has a written agreement with the childminder. Each child's individual and changing needs are well met because of the effective partnership with parents that exists and is developed from the outset.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Information about the children's day is shared verbally with parents when they collect their child. This provides children with reassurance and continuity because of the friendly relationships that are fostered. Documentation is maintained to a generally good standard and is up-to-date and recorded so as to maintain confidentiality of information held about each child who attends. Children's individual details and emergency contact numbers and consents are recorded clearly. This ensures that children's needs would be attended to in any given situation.

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Organisation

Children are at ease in the childminder's home. They are free to initiate and extend their own play and learning as they enter the familiar and well organised environment. As a result they are confident about making decisions about what they are going to choose to play with. Children’s individual needs are promoted at all times, aided by very well devised written policies and procedures that are explained and shared with parents at the start of the minding arrangement. This enhances the quality of care each child receives because it can be tailored to meet their individual needs and circumstances.

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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 address two recommendations made to improve the standards of care provided for children. These were to develop awareness of child protection procedures and to implement a system to record how identified risks are minimised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the intervening period the childminder has increased her awareness of child protection procedures by attending child protection training. Children's safety and well-being has therefore been improved. Risk assessment check lists are now used to formally monitor and identify risks to children thereby reducing hazards to children.

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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 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 written agreements are drawn up with every parent, that set out the expectations of all parties as to the care and business arrangements • ensure that any low-level glass in areas used for childminding do not pose a risk to 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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