Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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301545 Unique Reference Number 08 March 2007 Inspection date Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson 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 has been registered since May 2001. She lives with her husband and three children. The home is situated in the Lammack area of Blackburn. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor. There is no outdoor play area as the childminder has deemed the rear garden unsuitable for use for childminding purposes, but children are taken on frequent outings.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Registration is for a total of five children under eight. There are six children on roll all under the age of eight years. The childminder has contact with other registered childminders and receives support from the local Childcare Partnership. She has completed courses including, Food Hygiene, Child Protection, Fire Safety, 'Birth to three matters' and is currently attending her second year at college to study the National Vocational Qualification in Childcare and Education Level 3.

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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 enjoy the healthy lifestyle they participate in at this setting. They are very familiar with the practices and procedures the childminder has in place relating to health and hygiene. These include a robust cleaning regime, appropriate nappy changing procedures and the childminder's attendance on relevant courses that have impacted positively on her practice. For example, Basic Food Hygiene and 'Smile for Life', an oral hygiene programme.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children demonstrate their own understanding of healthy practices as they take positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. They independently access their own tissues to wipe their nose, and participate in hand washing before and after snack, and at toileting times. They are further protected from infection as they are appropriately cared for when they are sick or have an accident as revised policies, in line with recent changes in regulations have been implemented and the childminder has completed up to date training in first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and hydrated. Their individual dietary needs are well met and agreed with parents. These include food intolerances, religious and cultural requirements. Children are provided with a good selection of nutritional choices at snack and meal times. They delight in guessing the different shapes of toast prepared by the childminder. They squeal, “this one is a square and this is a triangle”. Babies also enjoy their toast and lick their lips as they reach out for another piece. They also recognise when they are thirsty as they access their own cup from within easy reach and babies cuddle into the arms of the childminder as they have their morning bottle of milk. Photographic evidence demonstrates children’s participation in food preparation and baking activities that support the practical application of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Rest and sleeps are taken according to the child's individual needs and parents’ wishes. They access sleep in their buggy or on the sofa in the lounge, under the close supervision of the childminder. Daily activities encourage children to take part in physical challenges that help muscle growth and good levels of fitness. These include walking school age children to and from school, trips to the local park and places of interest in the wider community. For example, Eureka a children’s activity centre.

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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 child orientated environment. This is due to the children's artwork, photographs of activities, weather chart and other learning materials which are displayed throughout the setting. They are able to independently explore and make free choices from a fabulous selection of toys and equipment that are stored at a child's level. Space is creatively used. It is well structured in providing a daily programme of age appropriate activities. Children reflect on these experiences as they look through a selection of ‘memory books’: scrap books with activities children have participated in. They giggle to each other and talk about the fun they had feeding the ducks and their trip to a butterfly farm.

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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 An abundance of toys, equipment and play materials are accessible to children and contribute to this stimulating environment that interests and supports all aspects of children's development needs and areas of learning. These are used in accordance with the children's preferences and the very detailed play plans. Purchases of domestic style furnishings and equipment have been carefully selected and are in good condition. They are safe and well maintained and include soft leather sofas, dining table and chairs, highchair, prams, socket covers, smoke detectors and appropriate floor coverings to enable babies to play on the floor safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are relatively safe and well protected from most hazards. All exits are secured and safe procedures are in place when travelling outdoors with children or when they are collected from the setting. Detailed risk assessments are in place for most areas of the setting. However, to ensure that children’s safety is not compromised, these should include assessments in relation to the lounge fire and access to the first floor of the house. Children show an excellent understanding of safety procedures. They participate with understanding in relation to why and how to carry out fire evacuation procedures and describe how to cross the road safely. They describe the traffic light colours and their meaning and remind each other, ”if you don’t stop at the red traffic light you will get 'squished' by a car”. Photographic evidence demonstrates how the children have participated in a road safety project using authentic props. For example,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

traffic lights, zebra crossing and lollypop stick.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of protecting children. A detailed policy is shared with parents which is in line with recent changes in regulations and in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and confident. They make their own decisions in what they choose to do. They do this from a fantastic range of activities and experiences that develop their natural curiosity as learners. They respond well to challenge in ‘paddling pasta’, where all children, including the babies sit on protective covering and weigh, cut , break and mix various types of pasta with an array of utensils. Children delight in the activity which sustains their concentration span for a significant period of time. They are developing into competent learners as they begin to count from two to 22 and know some of their basic colours, which they can sign in Makaton, a form of communication that is encouraged at this setting. Children play in harmony with their peers for the duration of the visit and are very considerate towards the babies. They practise their language development, with the positive interaction of this experienced childminder. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provides the children with questions to extend their learning in all aspects of the childminding day. These include “what, why, could you tell me more about that?”. Therefore, ensuring that children relish their time at this setting and continue to make excellent progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are really secure and thrive from the flexible but carefully structured daily routines that provide them with superb care, play and learning opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential. For example, personal needs, meals, free play, planned structured activities: ‘pasta paddling’, story time and outings to local groups and amenities, such as the local library, museum and parks. Their development is observed and recorded in detailed journals. These are

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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 shared with parents and include daily routines and records of achievements. Daily emails are also sent to parents to keep them informed of their children’s development milestones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder clearly knows the children well and has an excellent understanding of how they learn and progress because she makes effective use of material taken from her attendance on relevant childcare courses and associated material. Play plans, in line with the outcomes of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and observations of the children’s development allow her to follow children’s choices and build on what they are doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There are appropriate arrangements in place for all children, including those with special educational needs. These would include practical adaptations to the home if required, hands on practical experience, discussion with parents and working in close partnership with other professionals to provide appropriate and inclusive care for all. This ensures that children are highly valued as individuals at this setting. They demonstrate positive caring attitudes to others which are fostered by the childminder and her family members who act as positive role models. They are calm, consistent and polite. Children are eager to greet the childminder's husband as he returns from work and responds positively to the children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a good selection of resources and activities which help raise their awareness of diversity and anti-discriminatory practice. Photographic evidence demonstrates that children have celebrated festivals, such as Divali, Eid, Christmas and a celebration of Asian Heritage, in the town's shopping centre. An excellent range of resources reflect positive images of people from different backgrounds. For example, books, craft materials, a welcome poster in many languages and photographs of children in Tanzania. The children have been introduced to these children during an exchange visit with the local church and children are now pen pals with one of the children. This raises the children’s awareness and understanding of people in the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Working relationships with parents are excellent in ensuring children's needs are met. Parents are given a very comprehensive brochure on the setting which includes all the policies and procedures. They give glowing accounts of the care their children receive in an array of thank you cards and messages on site, which confirm excellent working relationships with the childminder. Robust systems are in place for sharing information. For example, daily discussion, emailing and sharing their children's journals which include photographs, pictures and artwork which demonstrate the work the children have done and their progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children interact positively with their peers and known adults. Their behaviour is exemplary. They are clearly aware of their boundaries, as methods used to mange their behaviour are developmentally appropriate and agreed with parents. These include distraction, praise and activities that are stimulating to maintain the children's interests. They play in harmony with their peers throughout the visit. This is because the childminder is an excellent role model, she is observed to be gentle, caring and ensures that the children feel reassured at all times as she continually praises them and informs them of what is happening next at the setting.

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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 good. Children feel extremely safe and settled within this extremely well organised setting. This means the childminder has effectively organised the space, time and resources to support children's care and learning. Her excellent knowledge and understanding of child development has benefited from the strong commitment she shows to training. She is currently in her second and final year of the NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education and has completed courses in, 'Birth to three matters', first aid, child protection training and a vast amount of day courses, all relevant to childcare which she considers to ultimately benefit the care of all her minded children.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place, up to date and with confidentiality being acknowledged and maintained. These include children's details, accident book, and medication details and complaints log. Although the childminder has extensive documentation in relation to the daily attendances of the children she does not include children on introductory visits and therefore, is unable to demonstrate that adult-to-child ratios are met at these times. The childminder is aware of notifying Ofsted of any significant changes or events at the setting, and is aware that she will need to contact Ofsted with regard to a variation for the change in ages of her minded children. This ensures that children continue to receive appropriate care within a secure safe environment and that the childminder who cares for these children continues to be suitable to do so. 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 ensure that all the required documentation is available for inspection, including signed parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment and providing Ofsted with an original and copy of current appropriate vehicle insurance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed the above issues, although she no longer requires vehicle insurance as she does not use a vehicle to transport minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

By addressing these issues the childminder has improved the safety and well-being of children in her care.

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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 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 risk assessments carried out on the premises include the lounge fire and access to the first floor • demonstrate that the adult to child ratios are maintained at all times.

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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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