Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY300166 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Anne Lakin 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?

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her four children aged 21 months, 10, 13 and 14 years in a house in Shadworth, a suburb of Blackburn. The whole of the ground floor of the house and rear garden are used for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She walks with children to local schools, shops and the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She has attended pre-registration training, is a member of a local childminding network and of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are developing an awareness of simple health and hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. For example, the childminder wipes the children's hands before meals and older children dry their hands on their own hand towels

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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 after using the toilet. Children are generally protected should they become ill because the childminder has devised a satisfactory sickness procedure which parents understand. She has a valid first aid qualification, keeps a first aid kit accessible and has procedures in place for the safe administration of medicines and emergency medical treatment. This means that children stay healthy and their well-being is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are suitably met because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating. She consults parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs and preferences are appropriately complied with and provides example menus for the week which show balanced, nutritious, home cooked meals. Children are able to keep themselves hydrated as they have drinks, including water, available in individual cups throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical exercise, such as walks to the local shops and trips to the park where they feed the ducks. Children bounce inside on the small trampoline and have plenty of space to crawl and run around as they push cars and trucks or play with pull-along toys. Outside children can ride on bikes and scooters, play in the ball pool and run on the grass. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs and waking children are gently welcomed back into play activities. This means that children begin to understand the importance of physical activity and having a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe in the warm, welcoming and well maintained home. There is an acceptable range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards. Toys are clean and well maintained, as the childminder regularly washes them and throws away broken or unsafe toys. Toys and resources are arranged around the walls of the lounge on shelves and in baskets and boxes so that children can access them independently and in a safe way. Children generally play in the lounge and there is a safety gate in place to prevent children from moving into the kitchen. Despite this, the childminder ensures that the kitchen surfaces are clean and safe. There are no trailing electric leads or sharp knives accessible to children and the cupboard containing hazardous substances is protected by an alarmed door. Entrance doors to the property are also protected by alarms. There is a fireguard secured to the wall in front of the fire in the lounge

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and the childminder has a fire procedure and working smoke detectors. However, she does not practise or record fire drills with children and a fire blanket is not in place in the kitchen. This means that children do not understand what to do in the event of a fire and are not fully protected in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept suitably safe on outings as younger children wear reins or are securely strapped into pushchairs. The childminder ensures that children learn to stand at the kerb and look for traffic. This means that children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe outside the home. There is a large rear garden for children to run around and benefit from the fresh air. However, a fence panel has fallen down making the garden insecure for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are satisfactorily protected because the childminder has an awareness of policies and procedures in relation to recording and reporting concerns about possible child abuse. Relevant documentation and contact details are in place to make referrals if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a suitable sense of self-esteem because the childminder praises children as they play and eat their meals. Children show interest in the toys and play quietly and with good concentration as they load up the trucks and push them round the room. The childminder supports children in their play by showing them how to switch battery-operated toys on and extends the children's play by asking them questions and offering ideas. Children acquire new knowledge and skills covering most aspects of care, learning and play through a suitable range of toys and activities. Children can paint, cook, use shape sorters and play with musical toys. In the summer they wear swimsuits and enjoy messy play with baked beans and spaghetti. Older children can use the computer and play with construction toys. When children are tired they cuddle up on the sofa or watch television with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and eager to chat. They respond to the childminder's questions and she listens to and values what the children say. This means that children become skilful communicators and competent learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern and have their individual needs met because the childminder consults with the parents to ensure she is complying with their requirements, for example, with regard to eating meals. The childminder recognises that young children's achievements are not always made on paper so she keeps photographs of children at play on her computer and prints copies for parents if they ask. However, children's opportunities to learn about different people in the wider society are restricted as they have little access to resources and activities to develop their understanding of varied cultures, lifestyles and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an adequate understanding of responsible behaviour as they learn to take turns with the trucks and share small world figures. The childminder offers praise and finds alternative toys to distract children from minor disputes. She offers explanations to children of the consequences of unwanted behaviour. For example, children are discouraged from climbing because they might fall and hurt themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is fully aware of the complaints procedure and has a system in place for recording complaints which can be shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space and resources are appropriately organised to meet children's needs. They can reach toys easily and have plenty of space to move around and play comfortably. The childminder has a clear understanding of the need to ensure that children are cared for only by people who have completed the necessary checks. Children have adequate support and assistance because adult to child ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

Documentation is suitably organised and children's records are stored securely. The childminder understands her responsibility to report significant events and changes to the regulator. She has attended the required training and has a valid first aid qualification. She is a member of a local childminding network and of the National Childminding Association.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • improve emergency procedures with particular reference to fire • extend resources and activities to reflect diversity in relation to gender, culture and ability.

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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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