Wilson, Melanie

Inspection report for early years provision

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307629 Unique Reference Number 15 March 2007 Inspection date Ann Lee 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her partner and three year old child, in Rufford, West Lancashire. The downstairs living room and dining room are used for childminding and there is also a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two dogs which have their own fenced area in the garden so that they do not come into contact with the minded children. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and is currently minding 10 children who all attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the school to take and collect children. She also attends the toddler group and takes children to the local parks and shops.

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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 benefit from being cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where the childminder takes suitable steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She uses anti-bacterial spray to clean work surfaces and baby changing mats and provides separate towels and bedding for the children. There is a step up facility and child sized toilet seat so that children can use the toilet and wash their hands independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current first aid certificate and first aid box, so that she can safeguard children in the event of accidental injury or sickness. She has also had training in basic food hygiene and has an understanding of the safe storage and preparation of foods. Parents provide meals for their own children and perishable items are stored in the fridge. The childminder provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit, breadsticks and regular drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are daily opportunities for children to practise their physical skills. They enjoy playing in the garden where they jump on the trampoline, ride wheeled toys and play ball games. They also walk to the local parks and toddler group where they can climb, balance and slide on the large equipment. Indoors the children love to dance to music and they develop their small motor skills when painting, drawing and manipulating dough, shape sorters, puzzles and small world toys.

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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 warm, welcoming and child friendly environment where they feel safe and secure. The childminder supervises them closely at all times, both indoors and on outings and she ensures that the necessary safety equipment is in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. For example, there is a fire guard, safety gates, socket covers, smoke alarms and fire blanket. On outings the younger children wear reins or sit in the buggy and older children learn how to cross the road safely. The pet dogs have their own fenced off area in the garden, so that they do not pose a risk to the children. Children sleep downstairs within sight of the childminder so that they can be closely monitored to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a range of toys and equipment which is suitable for the different ages of the minded children. The resources are stored in the dining room and they are easily accessible to the children so that they can make choices about what they play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children from harm. The emergency telephone numbers for social services are available so that she can seek help and advice if an issue arises.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is a friendly, approachable person who has considerable experience in childcare and she helps the minded children to make satisfactory progress. She develops close relationships with the children and spends time talking to them, reading stories, singing songs and playing games so that they feel happy and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a flexible routine to her day which includes time for meals, sleeps and outings but she also takes account of the needs of the children and the weather conditions. The activities are not planned using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure that they meet the individual needs of the children and help them to make progress in all areas of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a suitable range of toys and activities, such as play dough, baking, painting, stories and outdoor play. School age children sometimes do their homework or relax in front of the television. However, they also enjoy playing board games and imaginative play with the dolls and small world toys. The childminder cuddles the babies and toddlers as they look at books together and sing nursery rhymes and they are very contented and relaxed in the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the wider world on outings into the local community where they visit the shops, parks and toddler group. On these outings they gather cones and leaves for art work, feed the ducks or play on the swings, slides and climbing frames.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are made welcome by the childminder and she cares for them according to their individual needs. There are few examples of toys, books and activities which reflect positive images of different cultures, religions and disability so that children can learn to understand and appreciate differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a kind and quietly spoken person who acts as a good role model for the children. She uses praise and encouragement so that children feel that their efforts and achievements are appreciated and they develop good self-esteem. Children play well together and they learn to share and to take turns. The older children show kindness and consideration towards the younger children and they enjoy playing with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good and the childminder invites them for introductory visits so that they can complete the necessary documentation and the children settle in more quickly. She provides parents with some information about her policies and procedures and keeps them informed about their children's activities and progress during daily conversations when they collect their children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The experienced childminder has an understanding of the needs of young children and helps them to make satisfactory progress. Children are protected in the setting because the childminder ensures that they do not come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. She ensures that the correct ratios of adults to children are always maintained so that children are well supervised and supported.

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Organisation

Space is organised to allow children some freedom of movement and room to explore. The toys and activities are stored within easy reach so that children can make choices about what they do and become more independent and confident. Children enjoy outings into the local community where they can socialise with others and learn about the wider world.

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Organisation

The basic documentation, such as attendance register, accident and medication records are in place to promote the welfare and care of the children. Parents are kept informed about their children during daily conversations with the childminder. 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

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the welfare of children because she provides sufficient equipment to meet their needs and has the emergency telephone number of social services so that she can seek help and advice when needed. She speaks to the parents each day to pass on information about what their children have been doing and how they are progressing.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • provide a range of toys, books and activities which show positive images of different cultures, religions and disability so that children learn to understand and appreciate diversity.

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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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