Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265875 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2007 Inspection date Margaret Baines 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 July 2003. She lives with her husband and two young children in a semi detached house in Morecambe within walking distance of the town centre. The whole of the ground floor and two first floor bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is currently one child on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well because the childminder follows effective procedures, which reduce the risk of the spread of infections. For example, she ensures all toys and equipment are very clean. During the daily routines the children are learning about their own health and hygiene needs, for example, they learn how important it is to wash hands at certain times of the day. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate therefore feels confident to meet

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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 children’s health needs, should an emergency occur. She also has in place the required written permissions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children are provided with healthy choices of snacks and meals. For example, they enjoy meals each day, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works very well with parents to agree and provide meals, which meet children's dietary needs, promote their good health and which they enjoy. Parents may, if they chose to do so, send the children's meal for the childminder to serve.

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Helping children to be healthy

Each day the children enjoy fresh air and exercise, which promotes their good health. They go outdoors regularly, for walks, or to play in the well-equipped garden, which encourages the children to enjoy exercise and promotes healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe and secure environment. The childminder gives high priority to safety, she undertakes regular checks to identify and minimise risks to children. Sleeping arrangements for children are centred on parental choice. Children are transported safely as the childminder gives good attention to providing the correct restraints and car seats. Children learn about fire safety and have had the opportunity to practise evacuating the premises, although a record of the practices has not been maintained. This alongside sensitive explanation helps children understand what is expected of them to keep safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Dedicated rooms for play and rest provide children with both quiet and more vigorous play areas and ensures activities for older children are kept separate and do not present a hazard for infants. Children independently select activities from a good range of good quality activities and equipment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises choices to ensure children only play with appropriate toys suitable for their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and protection is further assured by the childminder's clear understanding of the requirements for recording and reporting any concerns in line with the local safeguarding children board's procedures. The childminder has a written policy which includes information for parents should they have any concern relating to the care of their child whilst being looked after.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy spending time with the childminder. The childminder knows the children very well, what they enjoy, their interests and characteristics, which enables her to meet their individual needs well. She observes the children as they play and effectively uses the observations to plan activities, which promote development and learning. She supports the children well as they play, talking to them and asking them lots of questions to encourage them to think and learn. For example, as they share a story using puppets, the children enjoy joining in the story with prompting from the childminder. This helps to develop young children's communication skills and enjoyment and appreciation of books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy a wide range of age-appropriate activities within the childminder's home. For example, the youngest children thoroughly enjoy exploring a good range of toys, small world figures, puzzles farm animals, the play kitchen and building bricks. Older children bake

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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 and enjoy craft activities. In addition, they often go on outings to the local toddler groups or visit the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave very well in the care of the childminder because she has a very positive approach and a good understanding of how to manage unwanted behaviour. The children are treated as individuals, their specific needs are met very well. The childminder treats the children with respect and clearly values each child. The children learn about diversity as they play with a range of toys and books which have positive images of race, culture and gender. At present there are few resources which reflect disability, therefore, the childminder intends to develop this area, to further enhance her good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers. They share information about the children's routines in order to provide consistent care. For example, children are able to sleep and eat at times which reflect their home routines. Parents are provided with very good quality written information, which ensures that they are fully informed about the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure with the childminder within her organised environment. There are effective and clear policies in place to promote children's learning and development, as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledge and maintained. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. All written permissions for the children are in place, so ensuring parents are clear about all aspects of her practice.

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Organisation

Children are looked after by the childminder in a safe secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and learning through many well planned experiences. The childminder ensures that she develops her practice by attending additional training and has in place a First aid qualification in line with current requirements to ensure children's needs can be met should there be an emergency. She has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and implements aspects of this in her practice to promote learning for younger children.

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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 the childminder agreed to continue building on the resources reflecting diversity. She has increased the resources by purchasing books, puzzles and several small world resources. Consequently the improvements enhance the children's play and learning.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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

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 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): • continue to develop the range of resources which reflect diversity in particular those which reflect disability in a positive manner.

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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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