Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY222897 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2007 Inspection date Ann Lee Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives, with her husband and two children aged six and two years, in Aughton, Lancashire. The ground floor is used for childminding and children go upstairs to use the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and she is currently minding two children who both attend on a part time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes the children to shops, parks and the library.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment where the childminder takes good steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She ensures that all areas used by the children are cleaned regularly and uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe work surfaces and tables. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene because they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and cover their mouth when coughing. The childminder encourages their independence by providing a step up facility and child sized toilet seat.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows her sickness policy to ensure that children do not attend if they have an infectious disease and this helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children are further safeguarded in the event of accidental injury or illness because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and first aid box. She completes all of the necessary documentation such, as accident and medication records.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a varied, nutritious diet which contains plenty of home cooked foods, fresh fruit and vegetables. Parents provide information about any special medical or dietary needs, so that the childminder can meet those needs and care for children according to the wishes of their parents. Children are given choices about what they eat and drink and they understand why sugary sweets and snacks are only eaten occasionally.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

There are daily opportunities for children to develop their physical skills both outside and indoors. They enjoy running, jumping, climbing, riding wheeled toys and kicking a ball. Children are very active and lively and they love to dance and exercise to music and take part in action rhymes and songs. There are regular outings to the local shops, toddler group, library and park where the children can play with other children and use different equipment. They practise their small motor skills when painting, building with blocks and manipulating puzzles, shape sorters and dough.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's house because she is very aware of safety issues.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of the areas used by the children are regularly checked to ensure that they are safe. The front door is always locked and all of the necessary safety equipment, such as safety gate, cupboard locks and socket covers are in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. The fire officer has inspected the premises and provided fire safety advice and the fire blanket and smoke alarms are correctly placed. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder warns them about dangers and teaches them how to leave the house safely in an emergency.

p.3

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 main play room is warm and welcoming to children and the childminder displays their art work and takes photographs of them at play, so that they feel that they belong in the setting. There is a wide variety of good quality toys and equipment including books, puzzles, board games, arts and crafts materials, small world toys and role play items. The childminder ensures that all of the toys are regularly checked for cleanliness and safety. The toys and equipment are stored in low level cupboards and on shelves within easy reach of the children so that they can choose what to play with.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded on outings because the childminder ensures that the younger ones are strapped into the buggy or use reins or wrist straps when walking. Older children must hold on to the buggy and walk on the side away from the traffic. They learn about road safety when they practise crossing the road using the 'green man' at traffic lights.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. She knows the signs and symptoms of abuse and has the necessary information and emergency telephone numbers for Social Services Department on file, so that she can seek help and advice if an issue arises.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is warm, friendly and enthusiastic and she develops close affectionate relationships with the children. This ensures that they feel relaxed, happy and secure in the setting. The childminder has a good understanding of how children develop and she provides a wide range of activities which helps them to make good progress. They have free access to many of the toys, books and games because they are stored in easily accessible storage boxes in the main play room. The childminder has a flexible approach to planning activities taking into account the weather and the needs of the children. She is not yet using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to improve the outcomes for children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to be creative when they paint, make models, bake cakes, sing songs and play musical instruments. They also play imaginatively with the small world toys, dressing up clothes, train set, cars, dolls and toy animals. Good language and communication skills are developed through conversations, stories and singing rhymes and songs. The children are confident and independent and the childminder encourages them to help tidy away the toys before starting another game. The childminder is kind and respectful to the children. She talks to them, listens and enthusiastically joins in their play. Children play well together and chat excitedly as they play. The childminder gently encourages them to share and to take turns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to learn about the wider world on regular outings to the local shops, library and toddler group where they enjoy helping to choose the food for lunch, selecting books and meeting other children and adults. In the park they collect leaves and pine cones which are used to make works of art at home. Children gain a sense of belonging in the setting as they look at photographs of themselves on outings and playing in the garden.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have fun with the childminder as she spends time with them playing games, helping with arts and crafts, playing 'hide and seek', singing together and reading stories. She helps

p.4

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 them to learn through play and they recognise colour, shapes and numbers as they build with the blocks and count the number of ducks they have won during a game.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome and parents provide information so that the childminder can care for them according to their individual needs. There is a range of books, toys and puzzles which reflect positive images of different cultures and the childminder also uses the library where she borrows books to add to her own resources. Children learn to respect and appreciate differences through discussion and activities.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very friendly and well behaved and they respond to the childminder's warm, enthusiastic and approachable manner. They learn right from wrong because the childminder sets clear boundaries for behaviour and uses praise and encouragement to reward good behaviour and achievements. She treats children with fairness and sensitivity, according to their age and level of understanding, and this helps them to develop good self-esteem and confidence.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with comprehensive information about the service and the childminder talks to them each day to keep them informed about what their children have been doing and how they are progressing. She develops excellent relationships with the parents so that they can work together to meet the needs of the children. Parents are given the telephone number of Ofsted but the complaints procedure for parents has not been updated in line with the latest guidance. The positive partnership with parents helps to reassure children and promotes their welfare, safety and learning.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a good quality service to ensure that children make progress in all areas of development. She has an understanding of how children learn and develop and is committed to increasing her knowledge of child care issues through further training. Children are protected because the childminder ensures that they do not come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. They are well supervised and supported because the correct adult to children ratios are always maintained.

p.5

Organisation

The setting provides a warm, comfortable and child friendly environment where children feel comfortable and at ease. They gain in confidence because there is plenty of space for them to move around freely and explore. The areas for play are well organised and toys and equipment are stored within easy reach of the children to enable them to make choices about what they do.

p.5

Organisation

All of the necessary documentation, such as register, contracts, accident and medication records are in place to promote the welfare and safety of children. The childminder has also devised a set of policies and procedures for parents to ensure that they know her aims and objectives and can work together to meet the individual needs of the children. Parents are also kept fully

p.5

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 informed about their children's progress during daily conversations. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has completed training in first aid to enable her to safeguard children in the event of accidental injury or illness.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • update the complaints procedure in line with the latest guidance

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6