Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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503924 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Carol Ann Dixon 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 14 and 12 years. They live in a detached house in the Moston area of Manchester, which is within walking distance of the library, local shops, the swimming baths and parks. The family have a cat and a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children have access to the whole of the ground floor, which consists of the sitting room, kitchen and the study. Toilet facilities are available on the ground floor. The rear garden, which is safe and enclosed, is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for five children during the week, three of whom attend on a full-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder gains support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and utilises the local toy library.

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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. The childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which promote children's physical, nutritional and health needs. They are cared for in a warm and spotlessly clean home, where they receive excellent support and guidance from the childminder. Children are gaining an understanding of good hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, the childminder explains to younger children what she is doing whilst washing their hands before eating, to help them to understand and learn about good hygiene practice. Children delight in regular visits to local parks and outdoor activities in the garden, which provide them with plenty of fresh air and exercise, as a result they learn how exercise keeps them healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as drinks are readily available for children. The childminder constantly checks that younger children's drinks are easily accessible. Older children can freely access drinks from the kitchen. Children enjoy a varied and nutritious diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Excellent partnerships with parents ensure children are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, try new foods and choose healthy options. Fruit is freely available for the children at all times. Children’s dietary requirements and preferences are well catered for. The importance of adopting healthy lifestyles is effectively promoted through activities, such as baking, discussions about healthy foods, imaginative play and stories. Children are becoming increasingly aware of how to look after themselves and the benefits of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Caring relationships are extremely well established and the childminder ensures that younger children have consistent routines and their own meal and sleeping patterns are followed. Consequently, they thrive within the environment, feel secure and their health and emotional well-being is assured.

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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 safe and very well maintained home where the childminder has clearly identified potential risks and put in place effective safety precautions to minimise them. Children frequently practise the emergency evacuation plan. This increases their awareness of responsibilities and what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this enables children to choose and have freedom of movement where they can relax in comfort or engage in more energetic play. Children are cared for using suitable high quality equipment so that significant parts of their daily routine, such as eating and sleeping, are safely catered for. Space is organised effectively to promote their growing independence and to facilitate varied play experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as they adhere to simple rules such as helping tidy up, walking inside and not climbing on furniture. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Children’s safety is of immense importance to the childminder who has up to date knowledge of first aid practice. Activities, discussions and stories on safety issues, such as road safety successfully reinforce the importance of children looking after themselves.

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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 Children choose what to play with from a broad range of safe, high quality age appropriate toys and equipment. The childminder ensures the suitability and safety of all equipment, this allows the children to make choices about what they would like to play with and become independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures, and gives utmost priority to their welfare. However, she does not have up to date guidance and knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience varied activities and thoroughly enjoy their play and learning which significantly contributes to their all-round development. The day is effectively planned so children participate in activities inside and outside of the home. For example, regular outings to the library and toddler groups provide children with opportunities to socialise with other children. Children express themselves through a variety of media, such as painting, collage and mark making with different materials. They enjoy baking and making their own play dough. Children explore living things, they have planted seeds and observed how these have grown.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love to dress up and play with imaginative toys. They delight in dressing the dolls and taking them for a walk in the pram. The childminder ensures that children have plenty of opportunities to investigate and explore the full range of toys and resources available. Younger children freely and confidently move from one activity to another with praise and encouragement from the childminder. They acquire new skills and knowledge everyday, such as successfully posting shapes into a container and completing inset puzzles, because the childminder supports them well and ensures the environment is stimulating and fun. They engage in lovely interaction with the childminder who makes effective use of story books and music to promote developing language and listening skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through activities, resources and outings. They have access to a good range of books and equipment that provide positive images. They eagerly participate in activities that help them learn about their own and the religious and cultural beliefs of others. This gives them an excellent awareness of wider society and helps them to understand others. They delight in learning about their local community and visit lots of places of interest, such as visits to the library and local parks. This provides them with an extensive range of exciting and enjoyable learning experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations of children and supports them to take responsibility for their behaviour. Children are valued as individuals and treated with equal concern. They are encouraged to be kind and polite to each other and to share and take turns. Explanations are provided by the childminder so that children understand why any behaviour is unacceptable. Any children with disabilities are fully included and supported by the childminder who works closely with parents to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder actively seeks parents’ views about their children’s needs and interests before the child starts and on a regular basis throughout their attendance. The childminder keeps parents fully informed on how their children are progressing and developing.

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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 The childminder works hard to create a stimulating, child-friendly environment for children. This contributes to the warm, welcoming, homely environment that all children experience. Information relating to the individual needs of children is obtained from parents. The childminder uses this information and follows parents' wishes with regard to daily routines for younger children, thus ensuring continuity of care between home and the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the extremely effective working relationship that their parents enjoy with the childminder. She has implemented a range of written policies and procedures, including the procedure for managing complaints, which are shared with parents. Parents receive daily feedback about their children's progress and daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children explore their surroundings and participate in activities in the well organised home where indoor and outdoor space is used to maximise play opportunities for children. Children delight in receiving lots of encouragement and attention from the childminder. The childminder broadens her childcare knowledge and skills by attending courses leading to a recognised childcare qualification. She has identified that she would benefit from attending training on the 'Birth to three matters' to ensure her knowledge remains up to date.

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Organisation

The children's care is enhanced by the quality of organisation and the effective way the childminder plans the day to ensure individual needs are met. Children's welfare is promoted through robust policies and procedures which fully support the childminder's practice. All required regulatory documentation is well recorded and maintained.

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Organisation

Children benefit from having continuity. The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents, she shares and exchanges information verbally each day. This ensures parents are kept well informed about their child's day, progress and any issues. Children thrive in the caring environment and are making progress in all areas of development. 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 was asked to ensure the safety of a glass vase and lamp and improve documentation relating to the care of children. The childminder has removed the potentially hazardous items and amended children's records. These actions have improved children's safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • update information and knowledge of safeguarding procedures • continue to develop the activities for younger children as explained in 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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