Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340220 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2007 Inspection date Wendy Fitton 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?

This childminder registered in 2006. She lives in the Baxenden area, which is situated between Accrington and Haslingden in Lancashire. She lives with her partner and five year old son. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children. There are currently seven children on roll attending full and part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the lounge, dining room and conservatory on the ground floor. There is access to the top half of the rear garden. On the first floor there is a bathroom facility and bedrooms. Children do not access the spare bedroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are taken out on trips to the park, library and to socialise with other children at the toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is in receipt of support from other childminders in the area. She has the post graduate certificate in early years and has completed required training in first aid and childminding practice.

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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 are well protected from infection and taken good care of if they have an accident or become unwell. The childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. She has information from the public health department to inform parents of exclusion procedures and information about infectious diseases. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines as they wash or wipe their hands before food and after outdoor play or messy play. The childminder reinforces good hygiene through stories and reference books. Children use individual towels, cups and utensils and know about the importance of wearing an apron or bib to protect their clothing from germs. The premises are very clean and hygienic and the childminder follows cleaning routines to protect children from infection. The childminder has completed first aid training and attends well to children's first aid and medical

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Helping children to be healthy

needs. The childminder has parental permissions for emergency treatment and keeps accurate records of any medication procedures and accidents. Children know about the importance of regular exercise, fresh air and relaxation. They can sleep in a pram, travel cot or on a sleep mat as and when they need to. The childminder encourages the children to relax after their lunch and have a story or quiet activity. Children really enjoy outdoor play in the fresh air as they develop their physical skills on the slide, bicycles, walkers, tunnels and cars. Children develop their hand and eye coordination as they manipulate play dough, feel and touch textures, different objects and play with bats and balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder has a good clear understanding of providing a healthy balanced diet. She gathers all information from parents and works in partnership with them. Children enjoy breakfast if required and snacks of bread sticks, cheese on toast, yoghurts and fruit are provided. The childminder works to individual needs and will provide a cooked lunch or evening meal as required. Older children access their own jug of water and younger children have their drinks replenished at regular intervals throughout the day. Meal times are well organised at the table and provide a positive social occasion for all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a very warm, welcoming and child-centred indoor and outdoor environment. The premises are very safe and space is well planned and organised to meet the needs of the children on roll. They access a main lounge for quiet activities, a dining/ kitchen for meals, a conservatory for all play and activities, a bathroom is situated on the first floor and there is a rear garden that is suitably fenced and secure set up with outdoor equipment. Children feel a sense of belonging as they see their own art work and pictures displayed and there are lots of photographs of themselves doing various activities. Children can move freely and safely as they play, rest and eat in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from an extensive range of safe, suitable toys and equipment that includes everyday household items. The equipment and resources are of good quality and they stimulate and challenge children's development. For example, child sized tables and chairs,

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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 high chairs, changing mat, potty, crockery and utensils, sleeping equipment and prams are provided. Toys include role-play equipment, baby toys, building and construction toys, large equipment for outdoor play, art and craft materials, sand, water and small world equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children know and understand about safe procedures inside and outside the premises. All doors are locked during the day and exits are clear. Children know not to stand on furniture or switch on any electrical equipment. Older children know about small pieces and the dangers of some toys when babies may be present. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys to prevent tripping or falling and they know to hold on to the pram on outings. Children are very safe because the childminder follows safety policies and has all the appropriate safety features in place. Risk assessments are carried out and any hazards or chemicals are inaccessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. She has a detailed policy in place that is signed by parents and she has completed relevant training. She is sensitive to the signs and symptoms and knows to report any concerns to social services and follows the information detailed in the booklets from the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Department for Education and Skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with an extensive range of activities, play opportunities and every day experiences. Their individual needs are well met as the childminder works to a flexible routine and an informal plan of play activities. Children are encouraged to participate in some learning activities that are linked to areas of development. They enjoy free play, structured play, quiet time, story time and outdoor play. Children are interested and motivated as they play with rice, play dough, different textured objects, paint, read and go out into the community to parks, toddler group and the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices and promote their independence as they self -select toys from the storage unit and boxes that show a picture of the equipment that is stored. Children are developing their confidence and have good self-esteem as the childminder fosters calm, positive and nurturing relationships through cuddles, support and reassurance. Children enjoy and achieve as the childminder understands and plans to their individual interests and learning needs. She observes children and monitors their development through photographs and observations during their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are really happy, settled and content as they play and respond to the childminder. They smile, show interest and explore and investigate the different materials and textures using all their senses. Children develop in all areas as they try out new experiences; for example, they play with rice and pasta, they touch and feel shiny materials and objects, they listen to music and the younger ones learn to sit up in the baby nest and try the cause-and-effect toys.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are fully valued and included in all aspects of the setting. They feel secure and, for example, are encouraged to relate to photographs of themselves participating in activities and to look at their individual profiles and creations. They make free choices from all resources and equipment as they self select from the play areas and storage units. The childminder responds to individual needs and interests as she sets out toys that are appropriate to the variety of ages and stages. Children learn about diversity and the wider world as the childminder provides activities and experiences. For example, they work to a seasonal theme and look at books from the library, they play with dolls and small world people, look at photographs and language from around the world and are learning about their own community. Children have their individual needs met as the childminder completes an "all about me" booklet with parents. She has a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good understanding of learning difficulties and/ or disabilities and she fully involves parents in all observations and development plans.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn how to manage their own behaviour because the childminder has positive strategies in place. She always praises and encourages the children and focuses on wanted behaviour. Children are familiar with the rules and boundaries and are asked to be kind and considerate to each other, use nice words and to play safely. Children feel secure and play together as the childminder creates a calm, homely environment and explanations and discussions are featured during the daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thrive from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. Parents are welcomed into the environment through a clear induction procedure and settling in visits. The childminder chats to parents on a daily basis and uses a diary system to fully inform parents of their child's routines and care plan. Each child has an individual profile where parents can see photographs of various activities and keep up to date with their child's development and progress. Parents have access to very detailed organisational policies, procedures and records and give written consent for all activities. The complaint procedure does not detail the correct address for Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and safeguarded as the childminder and her partner are vetted and suitable to be in the presence of children. The childminder is experienced and has completed various training programmes. For example, she is a qualified teacher, first aid trained, completed childminding workshops, business skills and food hygiene. The childminder is committed and willing to participate in further training and has good knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters framework' and the Foundation Stage. She keeps up to date with any new legislation and works effectively to the National Standards for childminding.

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Organisation

Children really benefit from an environment and practice that is well organised and planned to meet the varying needs of the children on roll. Space is child-centred ,warm and welcoming and allows children to play, rest and eat in comfort and safety without restriction. Children are very well supported as the childminder follows a flexible plan and daily routines to accommodate

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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 children's individual care needs. They feel secure as the childminder spends time with them supporting and encouraging them to try out new activities and experiences as she cuddles and nurtures them.

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Organisation

Children's overall health, safety and well-being is enhanced through very well organised polices, procedures and regulatory records. The childminder has an operational file that links to the National Standards and clearly demonstrates how she meets the required standards. She keeps a record of all children's development and progress and this is evidenced through photographs and their own creative work. All regulatory records are well documented and include attendance registers, individual details, emergency contacts, medicine records and accident records. All paperwork is stored safely and promotes confidentiality.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 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 the complaint procedure includes the correct contact address for Ofsted.

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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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