Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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317051 Unique Reference Number 11 April 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson 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?

The childminder lives with her family in a house on the outskirts of Penrith town. She has two adult sons, one of whom lives at home. Nearby are shops, parks, local walks, library and allotments. She has been a childminder for 13 years, with previous experience of working in a playgroup, and presently cares for four children aged from two to five years who attend for varied sessions. Minded children have access to the lounge and kitchen, with bathroom and sleeping facilities upstairs. The garden is fully enclosed.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active member of the National Childminding Association and has attended additional recent training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and dietary needs are met well as the childminder works closely with parents to discuss and record individual needs. They rest and sleep when they need to and in keeping with their routine. Children learn about good health and hygiene practices as part of their day,

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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 for instance, when they have their hands wiped 'to make them clean' before and after snacks and after a play dough activity. They learn to look after themselves as they use the shade provided, for instance, with the gazebo and play tent, when playing in the sunshine. Children also learn to put food in the bin if it has fallen on to the floor. They become aware of good personal hygiene as they are encouraged to cover their mouths when coughing. The childminder has routines and procedures in place to maintain good standards of hygiene and help ensure that the children stay healthy, such as protecting children from infectious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent physical exercise both indoors and outdoors so that their movement skills are well developed. They move freely indoors between the different play areas and choose from the wide range of resources made accessible to them in baskets. Children play outdoors in the garden with ride-on toys and tunnel. Children are given nutritious foods for their snack, such as a plate of grapes, however, they have limited opportunity to choose from a variety of healthy foods to increase their awareness. The childminder ensures that any individual diets are catered for so that children are nourished well according to their needs and likes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable family home. Play areas are checked to identify and resolve hazards so that children's safety is well promoted. The premises are secure both indoors and outdoors so that children feel confident in a secure environment. They are kept safe through regular monitoring of resources to ensure that toys and equipment are safe to play with. Children, therefore, play confidently without fear of harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good sense of keeping themselves safe as they settle well when sitting at the table. However, the emergency evacuation is not practised regularly so children are not familiar with the procedure. They learn to use resources safely, such as not throwing plastic bottles on the floor in case they break, and tidying toys away so as not to trip over them. They gain confidence and skills as they easily access the wide range of good quality equipment. Children benefit from the close supervision of the childminder who offers support when needed to ensure their individual safety, for instance, as they use tools for the play dough and learn to use the shape sorter. Children are relaxed, having much fun and moving freely around the welcoming and safe premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear, current knowledge of child protection issues including local procedures and contacts. She shows her commitment to the well-being of children by attending training recently, so further safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has weekly plans based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework so that children's learning and play needs are well promoted. An interesting range of varied activities are well resourced and help to promote children's general progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy much conversation with the childminder as they play. They learn new vocabulary as they identify pictures of an 'elephant' and a 'lizard'. Children express themselves imaginatively as they 'drill' holes in the play dough. Children benefit from having a positive, relaxed and affectionate relationship with the childminder so that they are well settled in a familiar routine and eager to participate. The childminder encourages children's thought

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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 processes through asking them to recall 'what did you put on your Easter card and hat?' Children's writing skills are developed well with the regular use of small tools, such as for printing, sticking, threading and jigsaws.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn much through spontaneous play, for instance, as they match the blue key to open the blue door in the play house, use 'orange' and 'square' beads for threading. They have fun as they play with a star shape and make it squeak. Children learn to concentrate well as they make horse and penguin shapes out of play dough and try hard to thread coloured beads. Their senses are well developed with regular use of various materials, such as wood, dough, glitter and tissue. They discuss the smooth and rigid patterns made in the play dough and describe the texture of the dough as 'sticky'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress is shared regularly with parents so that they are kept well informed about their day through discussion, individual daily diaries and scrapbooks with photos of the children at play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have some interesting resources which help to develop their awareness of the wider world, such as books and dolls. However, children have fewer opportunities to experience practical activities which reflect different cultures. Children are involved in their own community as they go on local outings. All children have the same access to the resources available which are appropriate to their age and abilities. The childminder is committed to providing resources and gaining relevant knowledge and skills to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities, where appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder is a good role model for establishing the ground rules in a fair and calm manner to which children respond well. She demonstrates good behaviour management techniques as she distracts children with other toys when they want the same one. They show good manners as they ask nicely for play dough tools. Children learn to share as they work together with craft materials and eat their snack together. They learn to consider others as they are reminded to play gently with each other so as not to hurt someone. The childminder uses explanations and reasons at a level the children can understand to maintain good behaviour, as she warns children that more play dough dropping to the floor means less to play with. Children learn responsible behaviour as they tidy up after an activity and put some toys away before getting others out. They are happy, settled and have fun together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder shares details of the children's day through informal discussion on collecting the children. She keeps individual daily diaries which record their activities and achievements each day. A welcome file for parents has useful information about the care provision. The complaints policy, though, does not include recent regulations about keeping a record which is accessible to parents. Parental consents and agreements are in place as part of the effective working relationship. Letters, cards and questionnaires completed by parents demonstrate their satisfaction with the level of care given and state that children enjoy their time with the childminder.

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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. The childminder has been registered for 13 years and has gained much experience during that time. She has attended additional courses to increase her knowledge and skills. Children, therefore, benefit from her high level of commitment to providing good quality care. Children actively participate in the varied activities which promote their enjoyment and achievements well. They are relaxed and confident in the environment with sound organisation of their care and learning by the childminder.

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Organisation

Children's needs are known and recorded through well organised systems which are confidential and reviewed so that children's continuity of individual care is ensured. The policies and procedures which underpin the care provision are generally comprehensive. Children's well-being is further promoted through regular exchange of information with parents including a welcome file, individual scrapbooks, photographs, daily diaries and informal conversation.

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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 previous inspection it was recommended that written parental consent be obtained before and after the administration of medicine. The consents are in place to meet the National Standard so further promoting the health of children. Also, the Ofsted contact details needed to be given to parents, which is now done so keeping parents better informed.

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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 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): • further develop children's awareness of healthy foods, for instance, by extending the choice available at snack time • ensure that the emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly

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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 • consider ways to promote children's awareness of different cultures, in particular through practical activities • update the complaints policy to include recent regulations about keeping a record of complaints which is available to parents on request.

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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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