Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY307452 Unique Reference Number 27 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 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?

This childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and three years. The home is situated in the Little Harwood area of Blackburn. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor. There is also a rear enclosed area for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Registration is for a total of four children under eight. There is one child on roll under the age of eight years. The childminder has contact with other registered childminders and receives support from the local childcare partnership. She has also completed courses including food hygiene, child protection, first aid and 'Birth to three matters', and is currently studying for a National Vocational Qualification in Childcare and Education Level 3.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are enjoying a healthy lifestyle at this setting. This is because they are familiar with the childminder's satisfactory practices relating to health and hygiene. These include a daily

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 cleaning regime and implementing practices from relevant training courses., for example, food hygiene and 'Smile for Life', an oral hygiene programme. Children demonstrate their own understanding of healthy practices, as take their shoes off before coming indoors to prevent trailing mud into the house.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and hydrated. Their individual dietary needs are met and agreed with parents. These include food intolerances, religious and cultural requirements. They are provided with a varied selection of nutritional choices at snack and meal times. Children are observed to enjoy their lunch of scrambled egg, tomato sandwich and drink of milk. Babies snuggle into the arms of the childminder and enjoy their bottle of milk, before taking their afternoon nap.

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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 access to large apparatus at the local Children's Centre playgroup, and walks to local parks and amenities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children continue to be cared for in an environment which is warm, clean and safe most of the time. They are protected from injury indoors as the childminder makes effective use of safety gates and padding for hot radiators and hard fire surrounds. Her discussion of the hazards, such as the fireplace, enhances children's awareness of their own safety as they walk around the area. However, further steps are required in relation to the rear yard which the childminder intends to use for outdoor play. This will ensure that children's safety is not compromised when using this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use suitable equipment as the childminder holds knowledge of how to select toys and equipment with regard for the varied developmental stages of the children who are being offered care. The childminder's use of this knowledge when setting toys out for children to select ensures that they have choice and play safely. They are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe in the event of a fire or intruder in the home as the childminder has a written plan which she practises with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of children is protected further as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how to act in the event of child protection concerns and who to report them to. However, the current policy needs updating to include the replacement of the Area Child Protection Committee with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs and welfare are promoted at this setting. This is a result of the childminder planning and providing activities to encourage children's physical, intellectual, emotional and social areas of development. They are observed to purposefully engage in a variety of activities during the visit. These include access to a box of cars, small world toys, jigsaws, engaging in a music and movement programme on television and a walk in the community.

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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 The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development and implements this into her daily practice. She has begun to use this knowledge to plan activities which develop children's skill and enjoyment. They are able to select their own toys and equipment from the satisfactory range available. The childminder interacts at appropriate times during the children's play to develop learning. For example, she engages in a conversation with a child on a toy telephone which develops language and allows the child to share experiences from home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has begun to focus on what children can already do, which means that children are starting to take the next steps in their learning. This information is shared briefly with parents on a daily basis and in a planned, more detailed, monthly meeting. This, therefore, ensures that children are making satisfactory progress in all aspects of their care and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a satisfactory selection of resources and activities which help raise their awareness of diversity and anti-discriminatory practice. These include participation in celebrating festivals, such as Divali, Eid and Christmas. They are taking an interest in people and children who are different to themselves. This is because the childminder has appropriate arrangements in place for all children, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities. Where a child may be identified with a specific need, consideration will be given to practical adaptations to the home, detailed discussions with parents and working in close partnership with other professionals, therefore providing appropriate and inclusive care for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children demonstrate positive caring attitudes to others which are fostered by the childminder, who acts as a positive role model. She is calm, consistent and polite, and children's behaviour is good. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Working relationships with parents are sound in ensuring children's needs are met and parents have access to the childminder's policies and procedures. Robust systems are in place for sharing information, for example, daily discussion and diaries of routines and development of the children at the setting. Parents are aware of how to make a complaint as the policy and documentation, in relation to this issue, are accessible to them and in line with recent regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel safe and settled within this setting. This means the childminder has effectively organised the space, time and resources to support children's care and learning. Her sound knowledge and understanding of child development have benefited from the strong commitment she shows to training. She has completed training in 'Birth to three matters', first aid and child protection, and is in the process of completing a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and Education, all of which has a positive impact on her childminding practice.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place and up to date, with confidentiality being acknowledged and maintained. This includes children's details, accident book, medication details, attendance record and complaints log. The childminder is aware that she will need to notify Ofsted of the birth of her third child in May of this year, which ensures that children continue to receive

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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 appropriate care within a secure, safe environment and where the childminder who cares for these children continues to be suitable to do so.

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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 there were three actions raised in relation to National Standards 7 and 14. The childminder has documentation to demonstrate that written consents from parents, in relation to emergency medical treatment, have been secured and are accessible for inspection. The childminder has also improved her knowledge of the procedures to follow in notifying Ofsted of relevant matters. This, therefore, ensures that children continue to receive appropriate care within a secure, safe environment and where the childminder who cares for these children continues to be suitable to do so.

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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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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): • take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children, in relation to the rear yard used for outdoor play, are minimised • update knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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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